Pass the Russian language exam to obtain citizenship

Tests and exams for foreigners

The legislative act regulating the procedure for introducing an exam for foreigners is Federal Law 115. It indicates the need to confirm language proficiency. The procedure is applicable to foreigners entering the country for the purpose of employment, residence, obtaining a patent or fulfilling obligations under a contract.

The Russian Federation requires passing a comprehensive exam, which is assessed in 3 modules. This option allows you to obtain a certificate.

If you plan to take Russian as a foreign language, then proficiency levels are established. They are usually required when obtaining education at universities, when obtaining a bachelor's degree or studying for a master's degree.

Higher ranks allow you to enroll in humanitarian and linguistic areas for further professional activity.

The procedure for testing foreign citizens in the Russian language

A foreigner can declare his desire to take the test at the certification center. After the service is paid, then the conditions for passing the exam are met. The presence of theoretical hours is not checked. A resume about yourself must be filled out in advance. The certificate is issued after a week. But you can find out the results on the same day if the organization has the service. A map of the centers is available on the Internet.

Additionally, emigrants and persons wishing to find employment in the Russian Federation have the opportunity to obtain certificates at the leading higher educational institutions:

• Institute named after Pushkin;
• St. Petersburg State University;
• RUDN;
• Moscow State University named after Lomonosov;
• Tyumen State University;
• Pacific State University.

The websites of these institutions provide information on the nuances of the procedure, cost, evaluation criteria and the possibility of retaking it.

Some institutes offer online registration. Others indicate the time of regular interviews, where you do not need to sign up, but you must come at the appointed time to register.

RVP

TRP in the Russian Federation - instructions for registration and obtaining a temporary residence permit in Russia under quotas and without quotas in 2020: documents, sample application for TRP, grounds, validity periods, TRP exams, TRP readiness check, legislation, questions and answers about the temporary residence permit of a foreign citizen.

RVP quotas for 2021

RVP quotas for 2021

RVP quotas for 2021

RVP quotas for 2021

RVP quotas for 2021

Notification of confirmation of residence under temporary residence permit in 2021

Reasons for canceling a temporary residence permit. How to cancel a temporary residence permit at your own request.

Documents for passing the test

The list of papers required when testing knowledge in the exam procedure is small. It includes a passport with a translation into Russian and a migration card.

Migrant workers should know that they must come alone to take the exam. It is better to leave the child with loved ones. This is the procedure for providing testing center services.

Many centers offer discounts on services related to preparatory courses for certain nationalities. There are also reasonable prices on certain days of the week.

Who does not need to apply and take the exam

There is no need to demonstrate proficiency in the national language by attending the exam if you have papers for receiving basic hours with a grade. These are:

• A document confirming knowledge (certificate, diploma) of at least basic general education, which was issued to a foreign citizen by an educational institution before September 1, 1991. Moreover, it must be located on the territory of the USSR.
• Document of education (qualification) on successful certification, registered in the Russian Federation after 09/01/1991.

In addition, a certificate confirming the verification of knowledge of the Russian language is not required in the situation of approval of a residence permit for certain groups of the population. Article No. 115 of Federal Law exempts foreign persons from this:

• who have been recognized as having limited legal capacity or complete incapacity;
• who were under 18 years of age at the time of issue of documents;
• who have reached the age threshold: from 65 years - for men and from 60 years - for women;
• who are included in the state resettlement program for compatriots living outside the country (members of their families are included);
• those who have applied for a residence permit upon concluding a long-term employment contract (additionally given to members of their families);
• classified as native speakers of the Russian language due to the submission of an application for residence under Article 33.1 of Federal Law No. 62;
• who are official citizens of the union state formed with the joint participation of the Russian Federation and Belarus.

Thus, the question of contacting an organization to conduct training and pass an exam for these categories of citizens disappears. The documents are presented to the FMS.

Additionally, migrants applying for permission to operate on the basis of an employment contract are considered. If a foreigner is a highly qualified specialist, a journalist for publications producing correspondence in a foreign language, or a full-time student at an accredited institution (professional or higher education), a Russian language certificate is not required.

Who shouldn't take it?

The exam is not mandatory for all migrants. An applicant for temporary residence permit, residence permit or citizenship is exempt from testing if he:

• declared incompetent;
• has 1 disability group;
• reached retirement age: men over 65 years old,
• women over 60 years old;

The comprehensive citizenship exam is also not taken by:

• citizens of other states who have passed basic level testing in the Russian language in the TRFL system;
• immigrants from countries where Russian is recognized as one of the official languages.

What to do to pass the test successfully

Preliminary preparation for the exam will allow you to quickly pass the test and obtain a work permit and residence permit. You can buy a Russian language textbook to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of grammar and vocabulary. Libraries allow you to read literature for free.

The elementary level can be taught by a teacher offering private services. Usually they themselves recommend materials and refer to standard test tasks. The cost of their services varies depending on the region and size of the locality.

What is a patent for work in Russia

Foreign citizens who arrived in Russia under visa-free entry must obtain a work patent to legally carry out their activities. This document allows you to get a job with legal entities and registered in the manner prescribed by law with the Federal Tax Service.

Only citizens of those countries that form a Customs Union with Russia are allowed not to obtain a patent for employment: Kazakhstan, and Armenia.

A work patent has a territorial reference - the region where it is valid is indicated in the document itself. If a foreign citizen plans to work in several constituent entities of the Russian Federation at once or simultaneously, for example, in Moscow and the Moscow region, he has the right to apply for two patents.

For work in a region not specified in the patent, the payment of a fine is required, as well as a possible ban on entry and work activity in the Russian Federation for a period of 3 to 10 years.

Obtaining a patent involves familiarizing yourself with the rules for its use, of which there are quite a few, submitting all the necessary documents, passing a medical commission and, more recently, passing an exam in the Russian language, Russian history and the fundamentals of Russian legislation.

We talk about who needs to apply for a patent, how long it is valid and in what time frame it needs to be obtained in a separate topic about.

How to prepare for testing

To prepare, you can use the standard method of visiting the library, where books on Russian history, the Constitution and Russian textbooks are requested. Another approach is to use online materials, where the applicant independently searches for sample questions and answers to them.

Entrance exams at the testing center are accompanied by an assessment of foreign citizens' knowledge of the Russian language in various modules. Therefore, it is recommended to look for separate example tasks for each block. Most centers and universities offer free online training, but if you wish, you can take special courses to improve your knowledge. Errors are reviewed, new terms are given, and dictations are conducted.

When passing the test, not only the spoken part is checked, but also pronunciation (stress placement, endings).

Is it possible to come to retake the exam?

If a foreign citizen in need of a certificate fails to pass the comprehensive exam the first time, he will be issued a certificate of passing the test, which will indicate the results of work on each of the test blocks. A foreigner has the right to retake the exam later by presenting this certificate at any testing center - successfully passed subtests will be taken into account automatically. Please keep in mind that the certificate is valid for 2 years.

The law does not establish the procedure for retaking the test, so foreigners are allowed to take the test as many times as they wish. Moreover, you can retake both the entire test and its individual parts.

If, for example, a labor migrant did not cope with the Russian language block, but correctly answered more than 50% of the questions on the history of Russia and the basics of Russian legislation, he can ask to retake only the Russian language module.

Retaking the exam, like taking the test for the first time, is a paid service.

Select testing center

Living in Moscow, it is easier to find a center for issuing certificates than in the regions. The Internet is replete with offers from universities and educational organizations for conducting exams aimed at preparing for testing knowledge when obtaining citizenship.

The employer can provide additional training. Or the vacancy itself will indicate the need for testing in a particular center. Preliminary monitoring of locations allows you to find a profitable option. User reviews increase the rating of organizations on the Internet.

Select a testing day and sign up

Usually, the center’s website lists the opening hours of the exam committee. A telephone number is also indicated for clarification and registration for the test. Large centers divide the change by day of the week depending on the type of applicant. If you plan to obtain permission to carry out professional activities, one day is allocated. For applicants for permanent residence or residence permit - another.

When using the website of the unified center for state testing, a form is filled out indicating the type of test, desired address and date. After processing, a specialist will contact the foreigner to confirm the time of the visit.

Download the receipt and pay for the exam

The Rustester website provides links for downloading receipts for payment for testing services. On the main page, you should select the “Prices” section, then scroll down and go to the print option. A standard test is selected according to which the check is generated. Subsequently, you can contact a bank or terminal with it to transfer funds.

Receipt for payment for testing services

Online Russian language test

Some sites and services offering services for passing a language proficiency exam at a certified center contain sections on online testing in trial mode. Such a self-test allows you to identify the level of mastery of basic information on history, legislation and Russian speech. An example is the Rustester website, which allows you to legally check courses:

• for citizenship;
• for RVP;
• for getting a job;
• upon receipt of a residence permit.

Tickets are presented in a convenient test form, similar to the samples when submitting for a certificate.

Comprehensive testing

The comprehensive exam for migrants consists of 3 parts:

• Russian language test;
• exam on Russian history;
• exam on the basics of legislation.

Here is an example of what a question from the third part of testing looks like:

When giving answers to the questions in the third part, you can use a dictionary. The full list of questions is published on the testing consortium website https://testcons.ru/. You can also read the questions and answers on our website. The cost of this exam service varies slightly.

Candidates must pre-register for the exam by telephone or email. When submitting an application, you should mention the purpose of obtaining the certificate (TRP, residence permit, citizenship or work permit).

Package of documents

To pass the test, a migrant worker needs to provide a number of documents:

• passport;
• passport translation;
• migration card.

Applicants for a temporary residence permit present a passport and its translation, and those who apply for a residence permit - a passport with a temporary residence permit stamp.

Exams and tests for obtaining residence permits and temporary residence permits

The test for migrants involves going through several stages. Knowledge is tested:

• Russian language at a basic level - grammatical writing for filling out forms, questionnaires, notices, lexical meaning of words with the ability to understand monologue and dialogue in the social, everyday and work sphere. Workshops on writing, reading and speaking are conducted.
• The history of Russia is a test test, when the migrant confirms the minimum level of knowledge (significant facts, events, national and cultural traditions, names of famous participants in the political sphere).
• Legislation - the foundations of the Constitution, rights, freedoms, responsibility (the foundations of the Civil Code, Labor Code, SK).

Passing the test is accompanied by filling out matrix-type checklists. When the “Letter” is submitted, a separate form is issued on which the essay is written. A voice recorder is provided for speaking. The form of testing knowledge on history and legislation involves choosing an answer in the test and brief comments.

When obtaining a Rospatent, this set of knowledge testing is mandatory.

What does a certificate look like?

After testing in the Russian language for foreign citizens for a patent has been completed, subject to the required number of points, the tested foreigner will be issued a certificate confirming knowledge of the Russian language, the history of Russia and the fundamentals of Russian legislation.

Here is a test certificate form for foreign citizens:

Below is a certificate containing the data of a foreign citizen who has successfully passed the test:

What documents are required

The Russian language test for migrants can be taken upon presentation of a list of papers required for the official production of the certificate. To pass, you will need to register and fill out a resume. Attached to it:

• identification document (passport, residence permit, certificate of temporary asylum, etc.);
• translation of a passport with a notary visa (plus a copy of the translation);
• migration card (and copy);
• residents of Donbass - a document confirming registration on the territory of Ukraine (and a copy).

If a student from a university or other educational institution is applying, you must show a student ID or certificate of completion of studies.

Exam for renewal of residence permit/citizenship

If a residence permit or recognition as a citizen of the Russian Federation was issued before 2015, a comprehensive program for passing the exam (theory and practice in language, history and legislation) has been established. After which the obligations for regular confirmation are canceled.

When renewing, the migration service requires presentation of an application, residence permit, photo, and passport.

There is a special status of NRL when an immigrant confirms good command of the Russian language. After passing the exam and attaching evidence of family ties with citizens of the Russian Federation, the applicant receives the appropriate certificate. This provision allows you to enjoy the benefits:

• if documents are submitted for a residence permit, there is no need to present a temporary residence permit;
• the law provides for the abolition of standard conditions for obtaining citizenship (a simplified scheme has been introduced);
• Temporary residence status does not apply, since NRN holders can instantly obtain citizenship.

Russian legislation allows residents of Ukraine who are applicants for the NRN to write an application to renounce the citizenship of their country without providing an endorsed document. Previously, it was required to affix the seal of the Ukrainian authorities.

When will the certificate be issued and how long will it be valid?

The certificate for patent authorization will be issued within 7 days after successful completion of the test; it will be issued at the center where the exam took place. As a rule, the document is prepared earlier than the specified deadlines.

Unlike a patent, for which you often need to pass an exam, the certificate is valid in all regions of the Russian Federation, that is, you will not have to retake the test when moving from one subject of the Russian Federation to another. But the validity period of the certificate is limited and is only 5 years. The exception is a certificate obtained for the purpose of acquiring Russian citizenship - such a document is unlimited.

When changing status, a foreign citizen will be required to undergo testing again, even if the certificate has not yet expired. For example, having successfully passed the exam for obtaining a temporary residence permit, a foreigner became the holder of a temporary residence permit in Russia. When he needs to apply for a residence permit, he must take the test again and attach a new certificate to the set of documents.

What does a certificate of passing state testing provide?

A certificate of successful completion of testing in the Russian language, the history of Russia and the fundamentals of the legislation of the Russian Federation is a strict reporting form that has a unified form and is recognized throughout the country as confirmation of a certain level of proficiency in the Russian language.

The presentation of a certificate or other equivalent document is now required by employees of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs from all foreigners registering their migration status. Without such a document, today it is impossible to obtain a patent or a work permit, that is, it will not be possible to officially get a job with a Russian employer and carry out legal work activities.

A certificate indicating proficiency in Russian at the basic and first levels (in total, the Ministry of Education has approved 7 levels of language proficiency) gives the right to study at the preparatory department of universities and to enter Russian universities, respectively.

The certificate will also be needed by those who are going to obtain a temporary residence permit, residence permit and citizenship, and to obtain a Russian passport they will have to pass a complex, lengthy test to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the Russian language.

Procedure for conducting the examination session

The test and examination for a patent are carried out in accordance with the program adopted by the center. When arriving at the appointed time, a civil servant or other person responsible for testing knowledge informs you of the rules for giving answers. Then tickets with written and oral tasks are issued.

After a certain time, a pass or a retake is announced. But in the second case, you must pay an additional cost for the service. You can reapply for the test within two years. It is recommended to take advantage of a school to improve your knowledge level.

The cost of delivery varies depending on the applicant's status. The patent exam is usually cheaper than testing for a residence permit or citizenship.

When an exam for migrants involves passing the Russian language, it is necessary to confirm your knowledge every five years. This is required if a foreigner wishes to continue his activities at universities (admission to a master's program, graduate school).

Cost of services

Comprehensive testing for foreigners is carried out on a paid basis and is quite expensive. Prices need to be clarified, since they are different in each subject of the Russian Federation. Also, the cost of the service varies depending on the purpose of taking the exam - in the table below you can see the average prices for participation in complex testing.

It must be kept in mind that if you fail two subtests at once (on Russian history and fundamentals of legislation) or all three modules, you will have to pay the entire cost of the exam again.

Find out the results and get a certificate

Citizens of foreign countries successfully pass the exam if a minimum percentage of correct answers to the total number of questions is achieved. The passing score for receiving a positive grade is calculated based on the analysis of individual subtests of the language block (at least 66% for each) and options for history and legislation (at least 80% for the module).

The centers publish test results on their website or communicate by telephone. Lists are often posted on the Internet, indicating retakes in any direction. If you take extra lessons or re-read the textbook again, you can get a positive grade when retaking it.