Volunteering Step-by-Step

The informations on this page refers to overseas non-Israeli volunteers eligible for the Mahal, Mahal Nahal Haredi and Mahal Hesder IDF programs for non-Israelis. The process for overseas Israelis is similar.

Quick start:

Register - here. By knowing more about you and your preferences we will be able to assist you much better; first we have to check if you are eligible and, if you are, which office will continue handling your enlistment.

Therefore, please register online here as soon as possible and get our eligibility pre-check and further information. Your registration is legally not binding before signing up with the military authorities - in person in Israel.

To do before arriving in Israel

1. Study this website including the pages Who Can Volunteer?, Your Service in the IDF, Volunteering Step-by-Step, Registration, FAQ and the external links such as the information for Chayalim Bodedim (Lone Soldiers).
2. Register online - here.
3. Mahal-IDF-Volunteers.org will pre-check your qualification and reply within ten days.
4. Mahal-IDF-Volunteers.org will forward a copy of the reply sent to you to the MoD or the IDF (depending on your personal circimstances); these should handle your case until your enlistment.
5. Phone or mail the MoD or IDF (the contacts are in our reply to your registration). A dialogue with the MoD and/or the IDF is optimal for clarifying open questions, particularly about enlistment and service options.
6. There should be no major problems, but if you encounter any, contact Mahal-IDF-Volunteers.org by mail and describe your problem. We will check and reply.
7. Choose your enlistment date.
   If you think your Hebrew language skills are not up to par for IDF service, make sure to choose an enlistment date marked with Free IDF Ulpan - here. Important information regarding the IDF and Hebrew skills - here.
8. Plan to arrive in Israel about 2 1/2 months prior to your enlistment date, in order to register in person with the Ministry of Defense (MoD), Jewish Agency, Ministry of Interior and the IDF.
   You can interrupt the pre-enlistment period and even shorten it to 5-6 weeks, but only after advance coordination with the MoD; get written confirmation from the MoD in order to avoid misunderstandings. However, if any unexpected problem surfaces such us strikes or with your documents, you risk missing your planned enlistment date and will have to wait for the next one.
   
   Get the following documents:
9. Confirmation stating that you are Jewish, signed by a rabbi (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist) residing outside Israel. The confirmation must have a detailed letterhead with the name of the Jewish community, address, phone, fax and email. The exact name of the rabbi must be clearly readable.
   
   There is an alternative to the rabbi’s confirmation that you are Jewish; it is a bit more complicated and works only if you can document that you are the child, grandchild or spouse of a confirmed Jewish person.
10. Health certificate from your family doctor on the official IDF medical questionnaire - form here.
11. Original certificate of birth.
12. Passport, valid for at least about two years, if possible.
13. 6 passport photos.
    
    
14. Find here the country of your passport and check prior to traveling to Israel if you need a visitor's visa to Israel. If you do not need a visa, travel to Israel and get at arrival in Israel a regular visitor's visa B2, valid for three months. Note: if you have to get a visitor's visa prior to traveling to Israel, contact one of the Israeli diplomatic missions. Do not fly over or transit Arab states, Iran or other problematic countries, even if told you can stay during stopovers in the plane.
15. Packing list suggestions - here and here
16. Before making final travel arrangements, check Mahal-IDF-Volunteers.org and its external links for updated information.
17. Most important, contact the MoD or the IDF to reconfirm/check for changes and schedule your appointment for signing up (the MoD contacts are in our reply to your registration).
18. Note: if you do not speak basic Hebrew, we recommends arriving well before the enlistment to study some Hebrew, although most manage with only the free army ulpan. For help concerning private Hebrew study programs (ulpanim) and finding a suitable apartment in the period before your enlistment in the IDF - here. Free army ulpan - here.

To do after arrival in Israel

Arrive with a passport which should be valid for more than two years.

Get at arrival in Israel a visitor's visa B2, valid for three months.

At the Ministry of Defense (MoD) 1

The MoD office is in Tel Aviv within a short walking distance from bus and train stations.

You got the exact MoD contacts including the Google map in our reply to your registration. If you did not register yet, please register here.

Ask the MoD staff your questions (possible before arriving in Israel) and sign up with the MoD - (possible only in person in Israel).

Arrive at the MoD with your documents as listed here.

The MoD makes final checks of your qualifications according to the legal conditions at the time of your recruitment.

The MoD will direct you to all places on your way into the IDF such as the Jewish Agency, the Ministry of Interior for your visa, the IDF Recruitment Bureau (Lishkat Gius) for the IDF medical and the status "Lone Soldier".

Get from the MoD a confirmation for the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in support for your request for a visa A2.

But before the MoI you have to visit the Jewish Agency:

At the Jewish Agency (JA)

Google map - here, is within a short walking distance from the MoD.

Contact the JA and arrange the meeting. Or simply go and wait there.

The JA will check your confirmation that you are Jewish or otherwise entitled by the Law of Return ("Zakai Hok Hashvut"). You need this JA-confirmation for the Ministry of Interior (MoI):

At the Ministry of Interior (MoI)

Google map - here, is within a short walking distance from the MoD.

Contact the MoI and arrange the meeting for getting an Israeli visa type A2 for the IDF Mahal program. Or simply go and wait. You need:

• Application for visa type A2 - filled out and signed in person at the Ministry of Interior in Israel with the following attachments:
• Valid passport
• Certificate of birth
• Confirmation that you are Jewish or entitled by the Law of Return (including the Jewish Agency confirmation)
• Confirmation supplied by the MoD explaining the reason for requesting a visa A2
• All above documents in original or authenticated photocopy by an Israeli Diplomatic Mission or Aliya Representative for your country. If a document is not in Hebrew or English, please attach translation certified by an Israeli notary (which may take time to obtain) or Aliya Representative for your country.
  

At the Ministry of Defense (MoD) 2

Bring the A2 visa to the MoD, or mail/fax a copy and check by phone if it arrived.

The MoD will now arrange the date of your visit at one of the IDF Recruitment Bureaus.

After not more than about 2 weeks the MoD should contact you regarding your enlistment tests - "Tsav Rishon". If the MoD does not contact you, mail and phone the MoD. Note: your qualification is in any case subject to final approval by the IDF Recruitment Bureau.

At the IDF Recruitment Bureau (Lishkat Giyus) 1

• Bring all your documents including the health cerificate.
• At the IDF Recruitment Bureau: about 5 hours of recruitment procedures including the medical. Request to be enlisted through the IDF Mahal program (Note: it can take a few weeks before you actually start your service).
• If everything is OK, about a week later you will get your final approval for the enlistment. If you do not have immediate family in Israel, return for registration as a Chayal Boded (Lone Soldier):
  

At the IDF Recruitment Bureau (Lishkat Giyus) 2

• Request to be registered as a Chayal Boded (Lone Soldier). The status of Chayal Boded entitles to privileges and support granted by the IDF, Friends of the IDF and many other organizations, amongst many others free accommodation and board in Beit Hachayal (Soldiers' Hostels) - for the 6 weeks before enlistment, during the IDF service (when on leave) and 30 days following discharge.

IDF Service

• On Enlistment Day you start your IDF service - you are now a soldier in uniform!
• Right at the start of the IDF basic training check if you are registered as a Chayal Boded, if not done yet at Lishkat Giyus and applicable.
• Duration of the service as usual in your IDF program (if you do not opt for longer service). Your service time in the IDF will include the time for the pre-basic training and the free army ulpan (if applicable).

After Discharge

• Get the IDF grant and many other benefits for discharged soldiers.
• Remain in Israel (optional) - click here.
• Return to your country of origin (optional)
• Go abroad and return to Israel (optional) - click here

Please note:

Discharged Mahal volunteers enjoy various benefits for discharged soldiers.

Opting for an upgraded status in Israel after discharge from the IDF (from A1 or A2 to "immigrant") makes you eligible for assistance from the Student Authority including exemption from Israeli university tuition fees.

If you opt for Israeli citizenship before your 24th birthday, you might become liable for additional compulsory regular IDF service - here.