How to Get a U.S. Green Card as an Israeli Citizen

Many Israeli citizens are increasingly drawn to the prospect of obtaining their permanent resident cards, more commonly known as Green Cards, in the United States. This interest is driven by a range of factors, including economic opportunities, access to world-class education, and improved quality of life. For Israelis, additional motivations include the desire for career advancement in global markets, business expansion, and the ability to provide their families with more economic and political stability.

Israel’s strong economic and technological ties with the United States position its citizens well to explore various pathways to obtaining a U.S. Green Card. With a high level of English proficiency among Israelis and an entrepreneurial spirit that aligns with many U.S. industries—particularly technology, healthcare, and finance—many Israeli nationals find the transition to life in the U.S. to be virtually seamless. Furthermore, there is already a well-established Israeli and Jewish community across the United States, offering support networks for new immigrants.

Additionally, Israel and the U.S. share strong diplomatic ties, including treaties that facilitate business and investment opportunities. Unlike some other countries, there are no significant restrictions on financial transfers between Israel and the U.S., making financial planning through the immigration process much more manageable.

Fortunately, there are multiple pathways for Israelis to obtain U.S. Green Cards and eventually U.S. citizenship. This article explores the different pathways available to Israeli citizens and their family members who are seeking U.S. Green Cards, like family sponsorship visas, marriage and fiancé visas, employment-based immigrant visas, and the Diversity Visa Lottery. We will examine some of the pros and cons of each method, and highlight the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program as a particularly attractive option for Israelis due to its efficiency, investment potential, and direct path to a U.S. permanent resident card.

How to Get a Green Card in the United States: Five Options for Israeli Citizens

There are several different pathways for Israeli citizens seeking a Green Card in the United States. The best Green Card option will depend on the unique circumstances of each individual and their family. Some of the most popular options include:

Marriage-Based and Fiancé-Based Visas for Israeli Citizens

For Israeli citizens looking to obtain a U.S. Green Card, marriage and fiancé visas are viable pathways. These visas allow Israelis to either join their U.S. citizen spouse or travel to the United States to marry their American fiancé. The process is generally efficient, however, applicants must meet other eligibility requirements and provide evidence that their relationship is genuine. Otherwise, their entry into the U.S. could be denied.

The two primary visa options in this category are:

The K-1 Fiancé Visa

The K-1 visa is designed for Israeli nationals who are engaged to U.S. citizens. It grants the foreign fiancé permission to enter the U.S. under the condition that the couple marries within 90 days of arrival. After marriage, the Israeli spouse can apply for a Green Card to obtain lawful status as a permanent resident.

The process begins when the U.S. citizen files an immigrant petition called Form I-129F with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved, the couple must provide evidence of a legitimate relationship, proof that they have met in person within the last two years, and a valid marriage certificate after the wedding. Once these steps are completed, the Israeli spouse can apply to adjust status to obtain permanent residence in the United States.

The CR-1 and IR-1 Marriage Visas

For Israelis who are already married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, the CR-1 and IR-1 visas offer direct routes to get a Green Card.

• CR-1 Visa: This visa applies to couples who have been married for less than two years. It grants conditional permanent residence, meaning the Israeli spouse receives a conditional Green Card valid for two years. After that period, they can apply to get a Green Card without conditions.
• IR-1 Visa: This visa is for couples married for more than two years. It provides immediate permanent residence upon approval, allowing the Israeli spouse to receive a full Green Card without conditions.

To apply for a Green Card through either visa, the U.S. citizen spouse must begin by submitting Form I-130 to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once the immigrant petition is approved, the Israeli spouse will need to attend an interview and biometrics appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Upon successful completion of the process, the Israeli spouse will receive a Green Card and the ability to reside permanently in the United States.

Both fiancé and marriage-based visa applications require extremely careful preparation and thorough documentation. Still, for a relatively narrow share of Israeli citizens, these visa options provide a reliable and legal route to establishing a life in the United States with their spouse.

Family Sponsorship Visas for Israelis

For Israeli citizens with close family members who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, family sponsorship visas offer a direct pathway to immigrate and get a Green Card. These visas allow eligible relatives—such as spouses, parents, and children under 21—to benefit from faster processing times compared to more distant family members.

Once their immigrant petition is approved, the Israeli applicant must apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

There are two main types of family sponsorship visas with the following criteria:

Immediate Relative Visas

Immediate relative visas are available for the closest family members of U.S. citizens, including spouses, parents, and children under 21. Since these visas are not subject to annual quotas, they generally have shorter processing times. Once approved, the Israeli family member can enter the U.S. and apply for a Green Card to obtain permanent resident status.

Family Preference Visas

Family preference visas are intended for extended family members of U.S. citizens, such as adult children over 21 and siblings, as well as certain relatives of U.S. permanent residents. Unlike immediate relative visas, these visas are limited by annual quotas, leading to significantly longer wait times—sometimes several years. However, once a visa becomes available and USCIS approves the application, the Israeli relative can proceed with the rest of the steps to get a Green Card and permanent residency in the United States.

The Diversity Visa Lottery for Israeli Citizens

The Diversity Visa Lottery, also commonly known as the U.S. Green Card Lottery, is a popular program administered by the U.S. State Department that grants approximately 55,000 Green Cards annually to individuals from eligible countries. This program provides a unique opportunity for individuals outside the United States to obtain a permanent resident card.

For the Fiscal Year 2026 lottery, eligibility is primarily determined by country of birth. To qualify, applicants must be from a country that has sent fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the past five years. Because only about 4,000 Israelis immigrate to the United States each year, Israeli citizens are eligible to participate in the Green Card Lottery.

However, while the Green Card Lottery provides a low-cost route to a Green Card, the high number of applicants competing for limited spots makes selection highly competitive and unlikely. As a result, prospective Green Card applicants should explore more realistic alternative pathways.

Immigrant Work Visas for Israeli Nationals

Immigrant work visas offer Israeli nationals a pathway to a U.S. permanent resident card through employer sponsorship. These visas fall into several employment-based preference categories based on skills, education, and job type. However, due to high demand and annual limits, processing times can be lengthy—especially for EB-2 and EB-3 visas, where applicants from high-demand countries may wait five to ten years or more. Despite this, work visas remain a viable option to get a Green Card for many Israeli citizens.

EB-1 Visa: For priority workers with exceptional ability in fields like business, athletics, or academia. This category includes professors, researchers, and executives, offering a faster path to permanent residence.

EB-2 Visa: For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities in specialized fields. Requires a U.S. job offer and labor certification. Approved applicants can transition to Green Card status.

EB-3 Visa: For skilled and unskilled workers with permanent job offers from U.S. employers. Limited to 40,000 visas annually, leading to substantial wait times.

EB-4 Visa: For special immigrants, including religious workers and certain international employees. Offers a direct route to a Green Card, but eligibility requirements are strict.

Israeli citizens seeking permanent U.S. residency through employment should explore these options based on their qualifications and career goals.

The Unique Benefits of the EB-5 Immigrant Visa for Israeli Citizens

For many Israeli citizens, the EB-5 visa offers one of the most efficient and reliable pathways to U.S. permanent residency. Created in 1990, the EB-5 visa program encourages foreign investment in the U.S. economy while providing a clear route to a Green Card.

The EB-5 visa allows Israeli investors, along with their spouse and unmarried children under 21, to live and work in the U.S. while their application is processed. To qualify, applicants must invest in a U.S. business that creates 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Strategic investment choices can reduce both financial and immigration risks while accelerating processing times.

Investing Through a Regional Center

One way to minimize risk is investing through a USCIS-designated regional center. Regional centers pool funds from multiple investors and can secure faster approvals by investing in pre-approved projects. They also allow investors to count indirect and induced jobs created, making it easier to meet EB-5 program requirements to create full time positions for U.S. workers.

Due to these advantages, most EB-5 investors opt for regional center investments, as they offer lower risk and faster processing. Learn more about EB5AN’s regional center network and how it facilitates getting a Green Card and achieving permanent resident status in the United States.

Investing in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)

Another way to reduce risk in making an EB-5 investment is by taking advantage of targeted employment areas (TEAs). Investing in a TEA lowers the minimum investment from $1,050,000 to $800,000. TEA investors also benefit from reserved visa quotas, as a portion of EB-5 visas are set aside specifically for investors in these reserved categories. More particularly, rural TEA investors benefit from priority processing of their immigrant petitions. This special condition can significantly shorten wait times for Israeli applicants.

Special Immigration Considerations for Israeli Citizens and Their Family Members

Israeli citizens considering U.S. immigration should be aware of several factors that may impact their Green Card application process. While the overall process is similar to that of other nationalities, Israel’s mandatory military service and robust security sector can lead to additional scrutiny and potential delays. Some key considerations to keep in mind include:

Military Service and U.S. Green Card Applications

In Israel, military service is mandatory for most citizens, and this aspect of an applicant’s background can play a role in the U.S. immigration process. If you are applying for a Green Card through employment-based or investment-based categories, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. State Department may request detailed records of your military history.

For most applicants, standard service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) does not present any barriers to U.S. immigration. However, if your service involved intelligence work, advanced technology, cybersecurity, or other sensitive fields, you may be subject to additional security checks to assess any potential conflicts with U.S. national security. These additional reviews can cause processing delays, but they do not typically result in disqualification.

Security Clearances and Additional Screening

Due to Israel’s strong military and intelligence sectors, Israeli applicants for U.S. Green Cards may undergo additional security clearances. These can include more extensive background checks, additional interview questions, and longer processing times, especially if their backgrounds are in defense, cybersecurity, or government roles. While these security checks add some complexity to the process, they are part of standard U.S. immigration protocols and should not deter qualified applicants from pursuing their U.S. permanent resident card.

For Israeli citizens, preparing for these additional inquiries and ensuring comprehensive documentation of their background can help smooth the process and reduce unnecessary delays.

Immigrate From Israel to the United States and Become a Green Card Holder With EB5AN

Several key factors make Israeli citizens especially well-suited to take advantage of the EB-5 visa program’s unique advantages to get a Green Card quickly and reliably. For those seeking the best route to a U.S. Green Card, working with an experienced immigration attorney and EB-5 program experts is essential.

EB5AN’s team of professionals brings over a decade of expertise. EB5AN provides access to high-quality, low-risk TEA investment opportunities with a 100% project approval rate by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. To date, EB5AN has successfully assisted more than 2,300 families from 70+ countries in navigating the U.S. Green Card process.

If you’re ready to begin your family’s journey toward becoming U.S. Green Card holders, contact us to schedule a free meeting with an EB5AN expert today.