Foreigners seeking residency through family reunification may be required to pay 3,000 kroner for a new mandatory Danish language test, reports Kristelig Dagblad newspaper.
The “immigration Test” has been in the works since 2006 with several trial tests and reviews being conducted. It will also be mandatory for all religious preachers seeking residency here.
According to the government’s new budget proposal the final version of the mandatory Danish language test will be ready from early next year.
In addition to testing Danish language skills, the exam will also require a residency applicant to know general facts about Danish culture and society.
Although it has not been ratified by Folketinget – the Danish parliament – the Liberal-Conservative government’s proposal reportedly has the support of Dansk Folkeparti, the Danish People’s Party, which is enough to pass it into law.
Mariann Jelved, Det Radikale Venstres integrationsordfører, spokeswoman for integration for Social Liberal Party, was astounded by the cost of taking the test and said her party did not support such immigration procedures.
“For us it’s more important that Danish residents can live here with their spouses and children”, she said.
Henriette Kjær, the Conservative immigration spokeswoman, said the test was unlikely to be difficult, rather like mastering “tourist Danish”.
But Danish People’s Party MP Jesper Langballe said if the test could cut down the number of immigrants coming to Denmark, then it would serve its purpose.
“We would not be sorry if it meant the number of applicants fell,” he said.
Spouses of Danish citizens who come to Denmark after living in another member country of the European Union will be exempt from taking the test.
The photos used in this feature are file pictures.