Increase in foreigners taking Latvian language proficiency tests
Last year, 11,428 people from 54 countries took Latvian language tests, including 200 Russians and 2,080 Ukrainians.
The State Education Development Agency (VIAA) has released data on Latvian language proficiency tests conducted last year. A total of 11,428 individuals registered for the exams, and more than 1,300 test sessions were organized, resulting in 9,275 test cases across six proficiency levels.
Among the test takers, the largest group consisted of Ukrainian citizens – 2,080 people. Meanwhile, 200 Russian citizens took the exam as required by amendments to the Immigration Law. Additionally, more than 1,500 unemployed individuals and job seekers who had learned Latvian through the State Employment Agency courses participated, along with 60 representatives of the Latvian diaspora.
The most common exam level, accounting for 64% of cases, was A2 – the minimum requirement for obtaining a permanent residence permit or EU permanent resident status.
To help people prepare, VIAA held monthly consultations attended by approximately 500 individuals during the year, as well as seminars for adult Latvian language teachers.
