Opening a Bank Account
It is also recommended not to change your bank account number during the first few years after making Aliyah.
What You Will Need:
Documents of Identification
Bring your Passport, Teudat Zehut and Teudat Oleh.
Bank Account Authorization - טופס לפתיחת חשבון בנק
Bring the Bank Account Authorization form that you’ve received at the airport. The bank officer will stamp it and you need to bring this with you to your initial visit at Misrad HaKlita.
Declaration of Taxes
You will be signing forms concerning tax declaration in your country of origin and money ownership. All account owners must have their foreign tax identification numbers/social security numbers.
Steps to Take:
1. Choose and Go to a Local Bank Branch
For convenience sake, choose a bank branch close to where you live or work. Opening a joint account requires the presence of both spouses at the bank and each must bring their own documents.
2. Deposit Money
Use cash or a check to make a deposit into your new account and thereby activate it (1 Shekel is enough). Misrad HaKlita cannot transfer Sal Klita payments to an inactive account.
Important Note:
Currency
If you are depositing a small amount of cash, it is recommended to deposit NIS. It can be expensive to deposit small sums of foreign currency and the bank will also charge you to convert it to NIS.
Time
There are many forms to sign. It is highly recommended to allow extra time and not to arrive later than an hour before the bank closes.