In response to the stricter migration policies following the terrorist attack at "Crocus City Hall," language testing centers in St. Petersburg have stopped administering exams for migrants. The Minister of Higher Education and Science, Valery Falkov, has ordered increased supervision over the exams and certification issuance, as well as a change in the testing procedures.
The heightened government control is accompanied by law enforcement efforts. The suspension of exams in St. Petersburg coincided with searches at a commercial company that conducted the tests, leading to the arrest of five individuals suspected of profiting from illegal migration activities.
Currently, there are numerous companies in the city where foreigners can take exams to obtain work permits or residency permits. However, several firms contacted by a correspondent from "Delovoy Peterburg" confirmed that testing is currently on hold, with no clear timeline for resumption.
One company's website indicated that exam services for Russian language proficiency are only available to legal entities. The exclusion of commercial organizations from conducting such tests and issuing certificates is planned to take effect from May 1st of this year.
The new system's structure and whether universities will be able to accommodate all exam takers remain uncertain. Accredited universities may establish their own testing centers in the future.
Under current regulations, migrants must pass the exam within the first 30 days of their stay in Russia to be eligible for a work or residency permit. Failure to do so would require them to leave the country.
Foreign workers are currently facing the challenge of being unable to take the exam, putting them at risk of deportation, as noted by sources. Whether the government will effectively restructure the system by May 1st to allow migrants to take the exam again remains unclear.
