The inscription at the entrance to Riga. Photo credit: Evita wiki / en.wikipedia.org (CC BY-SA 4.0)
More than half of Russian citizens failed to pass the Latvian language exam on the first attempt to renew their residence permit. They will have to retake the test, Sputnik reports.
The State Center for the Content of Education of Latvia announced that 49% of Russians who applied for testing in February and March succeeded in passing the state language exam on the first attempt. The rest did not pass the exam and will be eligible for a second try.
The total number of persons taking the exam to date has amounted to almost 5,000 people, the vast majority of them live in the Latvian capital. Applicants need to score at least 60% of the points in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
This year, according to last year's amendments to the law, a residence permit will be confirmed only to those Russians who prove their command of the Latvian language. Earlier it was reported that this could lead to the expulsion of a significant number of Russians who have lived in Latvia for many years.
Russkiy Mir
