Israel is offering all African nationals living in the country without valid immigration status $3,500 and free flights to leave by December 31, 2026, Business Insider Africa reported.
The temporary policy took effect on November 9 and applies to individuals who have stayed in Israel for more than two years. It also covers holders of temporary residence permits.
The program’s expansion follows a 20% decline in government-assisted departures during 2025. Israeli authorities attributed the drop to fewer resettlement opportunities in Canada, tighter United States border restrictions, and regional conflicts disrupting flights.
Previously, Israel limited the $3,500 departure grant mainly to citizens of specific nations like Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, and Guinea. The new rules extend the offer to people from all African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
Applicants can apply online or in person, attend interviews, and obtain travel documents. Approved participants receive free flights and the financial payment at the airport.
The Population and Immigration Authority said that participants may receive protection from immigration detention for up to two weeks before departure. The agency described the framework as a way for foreign nationals to leave in a respectful and decent manner.
Earlier Government Policies Failed to Remove Asylum Seekers
The expanded program builds on an earlier government policy offering financial assistance to African asylum seekers who agreed to leave the country. Benjamin Netanyahu defended that earlier framework by stating, “The infiltrators have a simple choice — to cooperate with us and leave voluntarily.”
Legal battles and the collapse of a planned resettlement deal with the United Nations caused that earlier scheme to fall apart in April 2018. Potential locations like Uganda and Rwanda denied they held any pacts to take in migrants sent away from Israel against their will.
Refugee organizations criticized the initiative over its impact on African asylum seekers, many of whom fled conflict and political persecution. Sigal Rozen, public policy coordinator at the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, criticized the government approach, telling The Times of Israel that authorities want to make life as difficult as possible so that people give up and leave.
| Metric / Detail | Previous Policy | Current Expanded Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Nationalities | Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Guinea | All African nations (including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya) |
| Departure Grant | $3,500 | $3,500 plus free flights |
| Deadline | None specified | December 31, 2026 |
| Assisted Departures (2024–2025) | 3,511 in 2024 dropping to 2,815 in 2025 | Targeting increased uptake through broader eligibility |
However, the latest policy focuses exclusively on expanding departure assistance to eligible migrants from African countries. No equivalent expansion has been announced for nationals of European, Asian, or American countries.
