Who does what
Numbers starting with * are short codes you dial from an Israeli phone. They come from the official sites and Nefesh B’Nefesh, checked on the date below.
| Office and phone | Hebrew name | Olim go there for |
|---|---|---|
| Misrad HaPnim (Population and Immigration Authority): *3450 | רשות האוכלוסין וההגירה | ID card, sefach, change of address, travel documents. See Misrad HaPnim. |
| Misrad HaKlita (Ministry of Aliyah and Integration): *2994 | משרד העלייה והקליטה | Sal klita, ulpan referral, absorption counselor, degree evaluation. See Misrad HaKlita. |
| Bituach Leumi (National Insurance Institute): *6050 | המוסד לביטוח לאומי | Insurance contributions, child allowance, residency. See Bituach Leumi. |
| Israel Tax Authority: *4954 for tax coordination | רשות המסים | Income tax, tax coordination, credit points, purchase tax. See tax credit points. |
| Misrad HaRishui (Licensing Authority): *5678 | משרד הרישוי | Converting a foreign driver’s license. See driver’s license. |
| Your municipality or local council: its own line | עירייה / מועצה מקומית / מועצה אזורית | Arnona, school registration, local oleh coordinator. See arnona. |
| IDF recruitment (Meitav): 1111 | מיטב | The tzav rishon and draft questions. See tzav rishon. |
| Government central line: 1299 | מוקד מענה ממשלתי מרכזי | When you do not know which office to call. |
How a visit usually goes
Book first
Most offices see the public by appointment. Misrad HaPnim and Misrad HaRishui book on govisit.gov.il; Misrad HaKlita books by phone on *2994.
Bring originals and copies
Your Teudat Zehut with the sefach, your Teudat Oleh, and a photocopy of each. A clerk who asks for צילום wants a copy.
Wait for your number
Screens call queue numbers to a window. Watch for מספר (number) and עמדה (window): the screen is saying “number 124 to window 6”.
Ask for it in writing
Before you leave, ask for a printout or a confirmation (אישור) of what was done. It is your proof if the next office says the step is missing.
Words on the signs and the forms
- קבלת קהלkabalat kahalPublic reception: the hours an office is open to visitors.
- זימון תוריםzimun torimAppointment booking.
- תורtorAn appointment, or your place in the queue.
- עמדהemdaService window or desk.
- מודיעיןmodiinInformation desk.
- מוקדmokedCall center.
- שלוחהshluchaExtension; in a phone menu, the option you press.
- נציג / נציגהnatzig / natzigaRepresentative, man / woman: a human on the line.
- טופסtofesForm. טפסים (tfasim) is the plural.
- בקשהbakashaApplication or request.
- מקור / צילוםmakor / tzilumOriginal / photocopy.
- אישורishurConfirmation, certificate or approval.
- אגרהagraOfficial fee.
- אזור אישיezor ishiPersonal area: your online account with an office.
Phrases for any office
Male form first, female form second: your own gender when you talk about yourself, the clerk’s gender when you speak to the clerk.
| English | Hebrew | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| I have an appointment at ten. | יש לי תור לעשר. | yesh li tor le-eser |
| Where do I take a number? | איפה לוקחים מספר? | eifo lokchim mispar |
| Is this the right place for a change of address? | זה המקום הנכון לשינוי כתובת? | ze ha-makom ha-nachon le-shinui ktovet |
| I’m a new immigrant and my Hebrew is still weak. | אני עולה חדש / עולה חדשה, והעברית שלי עוד חלשה. | ani oleh chadash / olah chadasha, ve-ha-ivrit sheli od chalasha |
| Please speak slowly. | תדבר / תדברי לאט, בבקשה.תדבר to a man, תדברי to a woman. | tedaber / tedabri le-at, bevakasha |
| What else do I need to bring? | מה עוד אני צריך / צריכה להביא? | ma od ani tzarich / tzricha lehavi |
| Can I send the documents by email? | אפשר לשלוח את המסמכים במייל? | efshar lishloach et ha-mismachim ba-meil |
| Can I get that in writing? | אפשר לקבל את זה בכתב? | efshar lekabel et ze bi-chtav |
| I’d like to speak to a representative. | אני רוצה לדבר עם נציג. | ani rotze / rotza ledaber im natzig |
| Thank you for your help. | תודה על העזרה. | toda al ha-ezra |
Walk in with your question already in Hebrew
Type what you need in English, show the clerk the Hebrew, and read the answer back in English. baba uses the right gender for you and for the person across the counter.
- Text translation, plus photos and PDFs with baba Pro
- Voice playback with baba Pro
- Works in the browser and the Chrome extension
Get babaFree for iPhone and AndroidPoint your phone camera here. It opens baba if you have it, or the store if you don’t.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Misrad HaPnim and Misrad HaKlita?
Misrad HaPnim, the Population and Immigration Authority, handles your identity: ID card, address, passport. Misrad HaKlita, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, handles your oleh benefits: sal klita, ulpan and counseling.
What does a number like *2994 mean?
It is a short code you dial from an Israeli phone, star included. Many offices also publish a full number for calls from abroad on their websites.
How do I book appointments at government offices?
Misrad HaPnim and Misrad HaRishui use govisit.gov.il, which has an English option. Misrad HaKlita books through *2994. Bituach Leumi takes appointments at local branches through myvisit.
Can baba translate a phone call?
baba translates what you type, paste or photograph, and baba Pro can play the Hebrew aloud. For a call, prepare your questions in baba first and keep the Hebrew on screen.
Official sources
Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official page before you act on anything here.
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Your first steps after making aliyahchecked September 29, 2026
- gov.il: Change your address (Population Authority contact line)checked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Bituach Leumichecked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Converting your foreign driver’s licensechecked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Tzav Rishon and IDF draftchecked September 29, 2026
- Israel Tax Authority: Form 101 and tax coordination contactchecked September 29, 2026