Jewish sources in the Soviet Union reported today that the new reg ulations on graduates going to Israel have now been in force since Dec. 26 and a preliminary estimate of their working can now be made. Most ovir offices began to apply them on Jan. 1 but in the Lithuanian Soviet Republic they were first applied on Dec. 26. Three basic working periods are taken in to consideration in regard to applicants: 25 years, 15 years, and eight years.
Those who worked for 25 years are asked to pay only 25 percent of the tax which is estimated in accordance with their degree and professional skill. Those who worked 15 years are asked to pay 50 percent of the tax. Those who worked eight years are asked to pay 75 percent of the tax. The basic periods for women are 20-12 and six years, and the reductions are calculated the same way. Pensioners and invalids are exempted altogether. In some cases applicants who have university degrees but did no postgraduate work were exempted entirely.
According to the sources, ovir officials have told applicants that the new regulations apply only to the level of the tax, but should not be seen as changes in the rules for the granting of exit visas. It is therefore clear that most people under 40 will not benefit from the new rules, and that the new regulations are still a great handicap because even 50 percent or 25 percent of the tax on most graduates amounts to a sum very few can afford.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
