South Africa has one of the most Zionistically active Jewish communities in the world — and making aliyah from South Africa has been running at historically high levels. Whether you are motivated by ideological commitment, concern about South Africa’s trajectory, or simply the pull of building your life in Israel, you are joining a well-worn path. The South African olim community in Israel is large, warm, and organised, and the practical infrastructure for aliyah from South Africa has never been better.
This guide covers what is specific to making aliyah from South Africa: the application process through the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh, what happens to your rands, retirement annuities, and SARS tax obligations, shipping from SA, where South African Jews in Israel are concentrated, and what to expect on the ground in your first year.
Are You Eligible? The Law of Return
Israel’s Law of Return grants the right of aliyah to Jews, their children, grandchildren, and spouses. In practice, this means:
- You are Jewish by birth (born to a Jewish mother) or by a conversion recognised by the Jewish Agency
- One of your parents is or was Jewish
- One of your grandparents is or was Jewish
- You are the spouse of any of the above
South Africa’s Jewish community is largely Ashkenazi and Litvish in origin, descending from Jews who emigrated from Lithuania and Latvia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Community records through the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), the United Hebrew Congregation, and individual synagogues are generally well-maintained, which makes documenting eligibility more straightforward than in some other countries.
The Application Process: Starting in South Africa
Your aliyah from South Africa process starts in-country, through a combination of the Jewish Agency (Sochnut) and Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN). South Africa is one of the few non-North American countries served directly by Nefesh B’Nefesh’s organised aliyah flights and support programmes — a significant practical advantage.
1. Register with Both the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh
Go to jewishagency.org/aliyah and open a file with the Jewish Agency. Simultaneously, register at nbn.org.il with Nefesh B’Nefesh. In South Africa, the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) is the on-the-ground partner and your first point of contact for practical guidance.
2. Gather Your Documents
You will need birth certificates and marriage certificates going back through the generations required to establish eligibility, along with proof of Jewish community affiliation — synagogue membership letters, bar/bat mitzvah records, Jewish school records.
3. Pre-Aliyah Interviews
You will have interviews with the Jewish Agency and/or Nefesh B’Nefesh — partly to verify your documentation and partly to help you plan the move realistically. The staff dealing with South African aliyah have seen every situation and can give practical guidance specific to your circumstances.
4. Israeli Embassy Pretoria: Visa Appointment
Once the Jewish Agency approves your file, you attend an appointment at the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria (428 King’s Highway, Lynnwood, Pretoria) to receive your aliyah visa.
5. The NBN Flight
Nefesh B’Nefesh runs organised aliyah flights from South Africa — typically from Johannesburg. These flights include a welcoming ceremony, onboard support staff, and a structured arrival process at Ben Gurion Airport. Flying with an NBN group flight is strongly recommended if your timing aligns.
6. Arrival: Your Teudat Oleh and Teudat Zehut
On arrival in Israel you complete the final immigration process and receive your teudat oleh (immigrant certificate) and teudat zehut (Israeli ID card). From this moment, your oleh chadash benefits clock starts running.
South African Financial Matters: What to Sort Before You Go
South Africa’s exchange controls and tax emigration rules make the financial side of aliyah from South Africa more complex than for many other countries. Professional advice from an accountant or financial adviser who knows both South African and Israeli tax is not optional — it is essential.
SARS Tax Emigration
When you leave South Africa permanently, you need to formally change your tax status with SARS from “tax resident” to “non-resident.” On the date you cease to be a South African tax resident, SARS treats you as having disposed of most of your worldwide assets at market value — this is called the exit charge or deemed disposal. Capital gains tax may be triggered on unrealised gains in your investment portfolio and unit trusts. South African fixed property is excluded from the exit charge. The SA-Israel Double Taxation Agreement applies to prevent double taxation on most categories of income.
Financial Emigration and Exchange Controls
Separate from tax emigration is financial emigration through the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). South Africa has exchange controls limiting how much money can be moved out of the country without formal approval. Once you have formally emigrated financially, your funds are classified as “emigrant capital” and can be transferred to Israel through authorised dealers. Use an exchange control specialist, not a general accountant.
Retirement Annuities (RAs) and Pension Funds
Since March 2021, financial emigrants can access their RA funds before retirement age, subject to withholding tax at marginal rates. Some South African olim choose to leave their RAs in place and access them at retirement age; others prefer to withdraw and transfer the capital to Israel. The right answer depends on your age, fund size, tax situation, and the rand-shekel exchange rate outlook.
Converting Rands to Shekels
The rand has weakened significantly against the shekel over the past decade. Once you have your SARS tax clearance and financial emigration arranged, move rands through a specialist currency broker. Israel’s 10-year tax exemption on foreign income means rand-denominated income and gains from SA assets are generally exempt from Israeli income tax for your first decade — a significant benefit that makes leaving assets in SA more viable during the transition period.
Shipping Your Belongings from South Africa
Shipping from South Africa to Israel is by sea, with a transit time of approximately 3-5 weeks from Durban or Cape Town to Haifa or Ashdod. Get multiple quotes from South African removal companies that specialise in emigrant moves to Israel and ask specifically about the Israeli customs (meches) process for olim. South African appliances run on 220-230V, compatible with Israel’s standard — you need plug adapters but not transformers.
Converting Your South African Driving Licence
South African licence holders do not have a reciprocal agreement with Israel and must go through the full Israeli driving licence process: a theory test (available in English), a practical driving test, and an eye test. Budget for 10-20 lessons with an Israeli instructor and potentially multiple test attempts. You can drive on your South African licence for up to one year after making aliyah.
Banking
Open an Israeli bank account as soon as possible after arrival. The main Israeli banks are Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi-Tefahot, and Discount. As a new oleh you are entitled to preferential terms in your first year. Many South African olim maintain a South African non-resident rand account alongside their Israeli account for ongoing SA income.
Healthcare: From Medical Aid to Kupat Cholim
Israel’s system is a universal public health insurance system where everyone pays health tax (bituach leumi) and belongs to one of four health funds: Clalit (largest network), Maccabi (very popular with English-speaking olim, strong Maccabi Zahav plan), Meuhedet, or Leumit. Supplementary insurance (bituach mashlim) is worth taking from day one — joining as a new oleh, before pre-existing conditions are documented, is a significant advantage.
Where South African Jews in Israel Live
Netanya
The largest concentration of South African Jews in Israel — by some estimates more South Africans live in Netanya than anywhere else outside South Africa itself. Well-established community with South African-style shuls and a strong informal support network.
Ra’anana
Large English-speaking population including a significant South African contingent. Excellent schools with Anglo tracks. Popular with South African families who want the Anglo community experience without being exclusively South African.
Beit Shemesh
Ramat Beit Shemesh has a substantial South African Orthodox and Chareidi community with South African-founded shuls. A natural choice for families from the more traditional and observant parts of the Johannesburg or Cape Town communities.
Jerusalem, Modi’in and Tel Aviv
Jerusalem has a significant South African presence particularly in Rechavia and Baka. Modi’in is growing in popularity with younger South African families. Tel Aviv and its suburbs attract South Africans in tech, finance, and creative industries.
Your Oleh Chadash Benefits Package
- Sal Klita (absorption basket): Monthly stipend over your first year — approximately 3,000-4,000 NIS/month depending on family size, not means-tested
- Subsidised mortgage (mashkanta): Preferential mortgage terms for purchasing a first home in Israel
- Property purchase tax (mas rechisha) reduction: Significant reduction for your first Israeli property
- 10-year foreign income tax exemption: Income from SA sources is generally exempt from Israeli income tax for your first 10 years
- Vehicle import: Import one vehicle duty-free within your first three years
- Ulpan: Free or heavily subsidised intensive Hebrew course (typically 500 hours over 5 months)
- NBN employment assistance: Job fairs, CV workshops, and employer connections through Nefesh B’Nefesh
First Year Reality Check
The SA community is a double-edged sword. The strength and density of the South African community — especially in Netanya — means you can live a comfortable, familiar life without deeply engaging with Israeli society. Be intentional about how much you want to integrate versus replicate.
Sort the finances before you go. The SARS tax emigration, exchange controls, and RA decisions are genuinely complex. Do not leave South Africa with these unresolved. A good emigration financial adviser is worth every rand of their fee.
Hebrew is non-negotiable for professional integration. In the Netanya bubble you can get by on English. In the Israeli job market and broader society, Hebrew matters enormously. Take the ulpan seriously from the beginning.
The rand-shekel rate will stress you. Build a plan for transferring assets to Israel over time rather than watching the exchange rate obsessively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Make the Move?
Making aliyah from South Africa involves more financial and administrative complexity than almost any other country — SARS tax emigration, exchange controls, retirement annuities, and rand-shekel exposure all require careful planning. Getting the South African side sorted properly before you leave makes an enormous difference to your financial position in Israel.
Olim Paveway works with South African Jews at every stage of the aliyah journey — from pre-aliyah planning through the bureaucracy of your first year in Israel. If you would like a clearer picture of what your specific aliyah from South Africa looks like and where the friction points are likely to be, get in touch for a free consultation.