Why Degree Recognition Matters
Your foreign degree is not automatically recognized in Israel. For many jobs in the public sector, regulated professions, and some large private employers, you need an official equivalency evaluation from the Israeli authorities. Without it, you may be turned down for roles you are fully qualified for, or offered a lower salary grade than your qualifications warrant.
The good news is that the process is free for olim through the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and starting early can save you months of frustration when you begin your job search.
The Ministry of Aliyah Degree Evaluation Service
The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (Misrad HaKlita) provides a free degree evaluation service specifically for olim. This service assesses your foreign degree and issues an official equivalency document stating its Israeli equivalent level (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate).
This is different from the Ministry of Education's general evaluation service, which is available to all residents but charges a fee. As an oleh, always use the Ministry of Aliyah's free service first.
Required Documents
Gather these documents before starting the process:
- Original diploma — the actual degree certificate from your university. Photocopies are not accepted for the initial submission
- Academic transcripts — the full transcript showing all courses and grades. Must be original or certified by the issuing institution
- Apostille — your diploma must bear an apostille stamp from the issuing country. This is an international authentication recognized under the Hague Convention. Obtain it from your country's designated authority before leaving
- Certified Hebrew or English translation — if your documents are in a language other than Hebrew or English, you need a certified translation by a court-authorized translator
- Teudat Oleh — your immigration certificate confirming oleh status
- Teudat Zehut — your Israeli ID
Tip
Get your apostille before you leave your home country. Arranging it from Israel is possible but significantly more complicated and time-consuming.
Processing Time
The Ministry of Aliyah evaluation typically takes 2-3 months from submission of complete documents. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays. During peak aliyah periods (summer months), processing may take closer to 4 months.
Warning
The evaluation takes 2-4 months, and you cannot speed it up once submitted. If you need the equivalency letter for job applications or professional licensing, submit your documents in your first week in Israel. Waiting until you're actively job hunting means losing months of potential employment.
You will receive a written evaluation letter (Michtav Hashvaah) confirming the Israeli equivalent of your degree. Keep multiple certified copies of this letter — you will need it for employers, professional licensing boards, and potentially for salary negotiations.
When You Need the Evaluation
Not every job in Israel requires a formal degree evaluation. You specifically need it for:
- Public sector employment: Government ministries, municipalities, public hospitals, and national institutions require the equivalency letter as part of the hiring process
- Regulated professions: Any profession with a licensing board (medicine, law, engineering, accounting, teaching, psychology, social work) requires the evaluation as a prerequisite for professional licensing
- Academic positions: Universities and colleges require the evaluation for faculty appointments
- Salary negotiations: Many employers, especially in large companies, use degree level as a factor in determining salary grade. The evaluation letter gives you documented proof of your qualifications
In the private tech sector, most employers care more about experience and skills than formal degree recognition. However, having the evaluation on file never hurts.
Professional Licensing by Profession
Beyond academic evaluation, regulated professions require separate professional licensing. Each field has its own process:
| Profession | Licensing Body | Requirements | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | MAHAT | Evaluation of engineering qualifications; generally straightforward for accredited degrees | 2-4 months |
| Doctors | Ministry of Health | Academic recognition, Hebrew proficiency exam, licensing exam (2 parts), supervised internship | 2-4 years |
| Lawyers | Israel Bar Association | Degree evaluation + Israeli law conversion course + Israeli bar exam | 1-2 years |
| Teachers | Ministry of Education | Foreign credential evaluation; requirements vary by subject/grade; professional Hebrew required | Varies |
| Accountants | Institute of CPAs | Israeli accounting and tax law exams; foreign CPA/ACA does not transfer directly | Varies |
Subsidized Retraining and Vocational Ulpan
If your profession requires extensive relicensing in Israel, or if you decide to pivot careers, the Ministry of Aliyah offers subsidized retraining programs:
- Vocational ulpan: Professional Hebrew courses tailored to specific fields (medical Hebrew, legal Hebrew, tech Hebrew). These combine language training with profession-specific vocabulary and workplace norms. Typically 3-5 months, heavily subsidized for olim
- Retraining courses: The Ministry subsidizes professional conversion courses in fields like hi-tech (coding bootcamps), digital marketing, project management, and trades. Subsidies cover 50-80% of course fees for olim within their first few years
- Masa (Journey) programs: For younger olim (18-30), Masa offers subsidized professional development and internship programs across many fields
Check the Ministry of Aliyah website and your local ביטוח לאומי (Bituach Leumi) office for current program offerings and eligibility.
The Bottom Line
The most common mistake olim make is waiting until they are actively job hunting to start the degree recognition process. By then, the 2-3 month evaluation timeline feels like an eternity. If possible, gather your original documents, arrange apostilles, and prepare translations before you leave your home country. Submit to the Ministry of Aliyah within your first week in Israel.
Organizations like Nefesh B'Nefesh and the Jewish Agency offer pre-aliyah guidance on document preparation. Use their checklists to ensure you arrive with everything you need.