What happens if I leave Israel while my shinnui maamad application is pending?

Leaving Israel while a shinnui maamad application is pending generally causes PIBA to treat the application as withdrawn. The logic is that a status change is requested by someone who intends to remain in Israel; departure signals otherwise. If you must travel during the process, speak to an immigration attorney before departing. In some cases it is possible to manage the situation without losing your position in the graduated residency track, but this requires careful planning and a formal communication to PIBA.