Krasnodar Territory: local state university experts to examine immigrants' knowledge of Russian

On December 1, when applying for a work permit in the spheres of housing and utilities infrastructure, retail and public services, foreign workers will have to confirm by documents their knowledge of Russian language at a level no lower than the basic level. If a migrant has no documents on the appropriate education, he or she will have to pass a test on knowledge of Russian language. In the Krasnodar Territory, foreigners will take an examination at the Kuban State University.

Since 2007, the State Duma of the Russian Federation discussed the question to oblige work immigrants, arriving to Russia, to study Russian language. This year, deputies of the Russian State Duma adopted a draft law to oblige work immigrants to take the examination on knowledge of the Russian language to work legally in Russia in the spheres of housing and utilities infrastructure, retail and public services. On November 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the law.

Foreigners must know about 900 words. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Vadim Chernenko, Chief of Labour Migration Division of the Krasnodar Department of the Federal Migration Service (FMS) of Russia.

In the Krasnodar Territory, the testing centre is still open only at the Kuban State University. At present, the centre has five experts.

The Krasnodar testing centre has developed special tests for immigrants with disabilities, such as deaf or blind immigrants. After passing the test, each of them will receive an appropriate certificate.