Israeli citizenship through marriage: how the STU procedure works in 2025 and why you cannot do without a lawyer

The procedure for obtaining Israeli citizenship through marriage is a complex and controlled process. Find out how the STU procedure works in 2025, what stages it includes, and why it is almost impossible to go through it without legal assistance

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Israel has one of the most complex immigration systems in the world, especially when it comes to obtaining citizenship through marriage to an Israeli citizen. Unlike many other countries, Israel does not automatically grant citizenship to foreigners on the basis of marriage alone, and the process often takes years. Everything is regulated by an administrative procedure known as STU, which is not based on a specific law but on decisions made by the Israeli Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and court practice.

Thus, obtaining citizenship through marriage is a lengthy and bureaucratically complex process that requires careful preparation of documents, constant confirmation of the validity of the relationship, and legal expertise.

Read also: How to obtain Israeli citizenship for Ukrainians of Jewish origin — conditions, necessary documents, and procedure.

What is the STU procedure in Israel?

STU is an informal name for an administrative procedure that arose on the basis of a court precedent and is applied by the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs in cases where a foreigner marries an Israeli citizen. It is not provided for by a separate law, but is widely used in practice, including with reference to the STU case as a legal guideline. The procedure allows a foreigner to obtain permanent status in Israel through marriage to an Israeli citizen, subject to a number of conditions.

The main purpose of the procedure is to verify the sincerity of the relationship and gradually grant the foreigner the right to reside and, subsequently, citizenship.

How the procedure works: STU stages

The procedure for obtaining citizenship through marriage in Israel consists of several stages and can take 5-7 years depending on the circumstances:

1. Application for status

The couple must compile a package of documents and submit an application to the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs. At this stage, you must prove:

● your intention to live together,

● the authenticity of your relationship,

● that you have not violated visa regulations or previously stayed in Israel illegally.

Joint photographs, documents on housing, bank accounts, correspondence, etc. play an important role.

2. Obtaining a temporary A/5 visa

This visa entitles you to legally reside in Israel, work, and receive health insurance and other social benefits. It is issued for a period of one year.

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3. Annual review

Over the next 4-6 years, the foreign national must confirm the authenticity of the marriage each year. This may include:

● interviews at the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

● checks of the place of residence,

● updating documents on cohabitation (finances, children, joint property, etc.).

The Ministry of Internal Affairs may suspect a fictitious marriage even on formal grounds — for example, if the parties do not live together or do not have a common household.

4. Applying for citizenship

After 5-7 years of continuous cohabitation, compliance with the requirements of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and in the absence of violations, a foreigner may apply for Israeli citizenship.

What the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs pays attention to under the STU procedure

The STU procedure is designed to detect fictitious marriages. The following criteria are important:

1. Sincerity and legality of the relationship. The couple must prove that the marriage was not entered into for immigration purposes.

2. Fact of cohabitation. A formal marriage is not enough — the couple must live together.

3. No criminal record or problems with the law in Israel.

4. Timely submission and renewal of documents, no delays or visa violations.

Read also: How to confirm paternity through DNA in Israel.

What happens in case of divorce?

Divorce does not always mean loss of status. If the couple has lived together for several years and there is evidence of a real relationship (children, joint property, long life together), the foreigner may retain their residence permit or even obtain citizenship. However, each case is considered individually, and without a lawyer, the process becomes more complicated.

Why is legal support important for the STU procedure?

The STU procedure does not have a clear legal basis — it is based on administrative rules, internal instructions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and judicial practice. That is why without a lawyer, you run a high risk of rejection or delays in the process.

Without an experienced lawyer, it is difficult to:

● prepare the documents correctly,

● pass the interview at the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

● competently appeal a rejection or initiate an appeal,

● prove the authenticity of the relationship in case of doubts on the part of officials.

Get legal support from Visit Ukraine

The Visit Ukraine legal team provides full support during the STU procedure — from the initial consultation to the submission of documents for citizenship. We:

● analyze the grounds and risks,

● prepare documents for submission to the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

● accompany you to interviews,

● protect your interests in case of refusal,

● help you maintain your status after divorce,

● prepare appeals and court petitions in case of violations of your rights,

● advise you on obtaining citizenship after completing the STU procedure.

Leave a request on the Visit Ukraine website, and our lawyers will help you go through the procedure without unnecessary risks and delays.

We remind you! Ukrainians in Israel can exchange their driver's licenses without taking a full exam, but under certain conditions. Read about who is eligible, what documents are required, and how to go through the procedure in 2025 in our previous article.

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