Russia May Charge Citizenship Exam Fee of 2,950 Rubles

Proposed Cost of Language Test for Citizenship

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation has suggested setting the cost of the language exam for obtaining citizenship at 2,950 rubles (approximately $40).

Currently, foreign citizens applying for Russian citizenship must pass a Russian language proficiency test. The exam is administered by authorized testing centers and is free of charge.

Rationale for the Proposed Fee

The Ministry of Education and Science argues that the proposed fee is necessary to cover the costs of administering the exam, including expenses for test development, examiner training, and test administration.

The ministry also claims that the fee would help to ensure the quality and fairness of the exam by attracting qualified examiners and preventing potential fraud.

Concerns and Criticism

The proposed fee has raised concerns among some immigrant rights groups, who argue that it would create an additional financial burden for foreign citizens seeking to obtain Russian citizenship.

Critics also argue that the fee could discourage some individuals from applying for citizenship, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.

Next Steps

The proposal is currently under review by the Russian government. It is unclear when or if the fee will be implemented.

If the fee is approved, it is likely to take effect in 2024. Foreign citizens who apply for Russian citizenship before the fee takes effect will not be required to pay the fee.