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Language test

Language tests are arranged in S:t Petersburg and Petroskoi in Russia for returnees who apply for a first residence permit abroad.

If a returnee has been granted a first residence permit on other grounds and he or she has already moved to Finland he or she can apply for a new fixed-term residence permit (extended permit) on the basis of return by submitting an application for a residence permit to the local police. The applicant can then participate in a language test arranged by the Finnish Immigration Service in Finland. As a rule persons who have already been granted a first residence permit for Finland can participate in a language test arranged in Finland.

The language test concerned is intended for persons who are of Finnish origin (returnees). For this reason the applicants must prove that they are of Finnish origin.

No test before an application has been submitted

Participation in the language examination organised by the Finnish Immigration Service is possible only after submitting a residence permit application. The Finnish Immigration Service will invite those applicants who are of Finnish origin to a language examination (Aliens Act, Section 48).

The applicant must participate in the language examination on the date provided by the Finnish Immigration Service, unless the applicant has a particularly pressing reason for refusing to take the examination on that date. If the applicant fails to participate in the language examination without a particularly pressing reason or fails to pass the language examination, the application will receive a negative decision. Before being able to resit the language examination the applicant must submit a new residence permit application.

Test will be passed by level A2

The definition for required language skills is as follows: the examination measuring the language proficiency of Ingrian Finn returnees shall measure proficiency in Finnish or Swedish for level A2 on the scale of assessment of language skills under the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, i.e. the Waystage level.

At this level the language user is able to use the language in the context of common social contacts and in everyday routine matters. The language user can communicate understandably in everyday situations requiring a simple and direct oral or written exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. The user is able to understand clear and unhurried speech related to everyday life and immediate needs, and related short and simple texts.

The language examination comprises four parts: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The participant will receive an examination certificate.

Language tests in Finland every second month

Language tests are arranged in Finland when the need arises, around every second month, depending on the number of applicants.

The applicants must sign up for the language test by letter or telephone. Enrollments are registered by the Immigration Unit.

We recommend that the participants arrive for registration in good time before their own test at the assembly hall of the Finnish Immigration Service, address: Lautatarhankatu 10, 00580 Helsinki.

Contact details

More information about the language test and how to sign up for it is given by the customer service of the Finnish Immigration Service, telephone number 071 873 3400 (Monday to Friday from 9 to 15) or by the service number of the Immigration Unit on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 11, telephone number 071 873 3740.

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