Question:
I am hoping to make a break for Israel and presumably for the work
visas, identity cards etc one would have to supply passport sized
photographs.
What size are the standard passport size photographs in Israel? Same as
in the UK or same as US? As I'm going to the photographers anyway I'll
get the Israeli size made up at the same time.
Any other special requirements eg dark/light background
colour/monochrome hat/no hat?
Answer:
An Israeli passport photo is (according to
http://www.moin.gov.il/Apps/PubWebSite/services.nsf/All/2C3169B6A1224...)
3.5 by 4.5 cm. Nothing there about your other questions, but
photographers always use a light background, the clerks will laugh at
black and white, and a man should take his hat off, even if his kippa
covers as much of his head as his hat does. Very often you need to
give them two photos, even though the document only needs one, the
other is for the files (or maybe they're having a contest for goofiest
expression, or they use the spare photos to fill leaks in the roof,
who knows).
In Israel, go into any photographer and ask for passport photos. If
you ask in English (or an accent), they'll ask if you want Israel or
American photos. American photos cost more. They come in sets of
four, keep the ones you don't need with your documents, because you
always need more photos at the next office. Always bring photos and
every document to any office, because the clerk who sends home the
most people to get more documents becomes employee of the month.
Work visas are for non-citizens, who don't get identity cards, and use
their foreign passport whenever a citizen would use an ID card.
If you are thinking of making aliyah from the UK, there are two basic ways
to do it: via the Jewish Agency in Finchley, N. London, or by coming to
Israel as a tourist on your UK passport (no visa needed) and then going
through the Aliyah procedures once you are here. The Jewish Agency route
will give you all the facts and help you need, but you are going in blind,
coming here first will give you a chance to see what you are letting
yourself in for.
I went to see the JA in Israel and have all the info they handed out as
well as Ulpanim contacts.and business start up information. I'm not
planning Aliyah in the first instance just working on an ex-pat basis.
There is some paperwork I need for Aliyah which I am not in possession
of ATT.
That's my thinking also. A six month contract or so as an expat, Ulpan
in the evening. Six months down the line terrorism or no terrorism, war
or no war,
