Until now, new immigrants to Israel have enjoyed equal rights. But the Israeli government now plans to prioritize immigrants categorized as “strategic investors.” These are Jews arriving with substantial financial assets or exceptional skills in fields such as advanced technology, innovation, defense industries, cybersecurity and finance.
The government is expected to decide on Monday that any new immigrant fitting this definition will receive a series of incentives, including the removal of regulatory barriers and facilitation of transferring financial activities to Israel. At the same time, a mechanism will be developed to encourage the immigration of young graduates from leading global academic institutions in fields that are in demand in Israel—through scholarships, research grants and more.
The assumption is that immigrants in these areas can have a systemic impact by driving innovation, founding companies and leading research and strategy in both public and private organizations.
This move is part of a new national plan to promote immigration as a driver of economic growth and to integrate immigrants into professions with high demand. The plan, drafted by the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, is based on the premise that Operation Rising Lion improved Israel’s image among Jewish communities abroad and created a rare window of opportunity to expand immigration and attract skilled Jewish professionals with proven international experience and a connection to Israel.
Notably, the idea is not unique to Israel: in the past decade, countries like Canada, Australia, the U.S. and Germany have implemented immigration policies targeting high-potential individuals by offering dedicated incentives and reducing barriers.
According to Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer, from the Religious Zionism party, the initiative is expected to inject billions into Israel’s GDP, reduce dependence on foreign labor, attract foreign investment and strengthen national resilience.
A unit for in-demand professions
At the heart of the plan is the creation of a special unit within the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption focused on in-demand professions. This unit will lead strategic planning, identify needed fields, promote the absorption of qualified immigrants and assist in integrating existing immigrants into the workforce.
A steering committee headed by the ministry's director general will also be formed, including senior representatives from the Prime Minister's Office, Finance, Defense, Economy and Industry, Labor, the Innovation Authority, Tax Authority, Employment Service, Jewish Agency, World Zionist Organization and other ministries, alongside prominent figures from the business and philanthropic sectors.
Last week, before the government’s official decision, Tax Authority head Shay Aharonovitch and Finance Ministry Accountant General Yali Rothenberg flew to an Aliyah Fair in London, where they met with wealthy Jews considering immigration to Israel and presented the planned benefits. The initiative for the visit came from the Immigration and Absorption Ministry, which claims that, in recent months, similar meetings were held with other potential immigrants and government representatives.
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The plan will also support the integration of “regular” immigrants into in-demand fields through training programs, professional retraining, employment support and partnerships with the Manufacturers Association, Chambers of Commerce and the business sector. The goal is to help thousands of immigrants enter professions facing severe labor shortages. The ministry draws encouragement from similar initiatives in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.
The initiative is the result of comprehensive planning by the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption. International studies, including a 2023 report from the IMF, show a consistent link between large waves of immigration and increased productivity in destination countries. Highly trained immigrants provide a net positive contribution to growth in targeted sectors, and effective job placement alleviates labor market bottlenecks.
According to ministry estimates, attracting immigrants with strategic skills could bring more than 800 such individuals to Israel over three years, while integrating immigrants into in-demand fields could fill around 10,500 critical jobs in electricity, construction and services. The total projected annual GDP contribution is estimated between $751 million and $884 million.
“Aliyah is not just the fulfillment of the Zionist dream—it is also the key to Israel’s economic, social and moral future," according to Sofer. "Employment is a central challenge, and over the past year, we’ve been leading a real revolution in this area.”