AIC Makes History: Knesset to Address Systemic Issues in Partner Visa Process

צילום: דני שם-טוב, דוברות הכנסת

The Immigration and Absorption Committee of the Knesset, chaired by MK Gilad Kariv, has approved AIC’s request to hold a parliamentary discussion dedicated entirely to the struggles of international couples in Israel -a first-of-its-kind discussion at the parliamentary level.

This is a major milestone for our community and for AIC, which has worked tirelessly for months to bring this issue to the attention of decision-makers. With the war’s impact easing, the committee can now turn its attention to this urgent matter. The discussion will take place next Wednesday, November 12th, starting at 9:30 AM at the Knesset. The discussion will be broadcasted LIVE – links to the broadcast will be available on our social medias (Instagram, Facebook).

During the session, AIC will present real-life cases of international couples currently facing unjust treatment and violations of existing protocols, highlighting the widespread issues in the partner visa process. Several couples will join us at the committee table to share their personal experiences firsthand, bringing an authentic and powerful voice to the discussion.

Officials from the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nativ, and other government bodies will also take part in the meeting, where they will be asked to respond to the challenges raised and present concrete steps toward solutions.

The goal of this discussion is to create practical change. In preparation, AIC submitted an opinion paper outlining the most simple, implementable measures that could significantly improve the process for international couples, without demanding much from the authorities, including:

• Allowing couples who reside abroad to begin the process and receive the first visa directly at Israeli embassies.
• Extending visas througout the process from one year to 18 months to reduce office workload.
• Creating a simpler path for couples wishing to stay in Israel temporarily under tourist status.
• Shortening the process for couples who marry after holding B1 partner visa for years prior.
• Setting clear maximum processing times and balancing workloads between local offices.
• Canceling the unnecessary Nativ procedure for couples from former Soviet Union countries.
• Allowing notaries to certify translations made by others, as dictated by Israeli law.

Read AIC’s request letter (Hebrew)
Read AIC’s request letter in English AI translation

Alongside MKs and government representatives, civil society organizations and human rights advocates are expected to attend and join AIC’s call for urgent reforms.

Israeli citizens and their foreign partners who wish to attend the discussion as viewers can request access directly from the Knesset committee or contact AIC.

Shining a spotlight on the problems of international couples and promoting solutions is an uphill battle. Help us keep going – become a monthly donor to AIC today. We can’t sustain this fight without your support. Every shekel counts.