Finland: Intensive language studies may expedite granting of citizenship

[Francis Hult]

Helsingin Sanomat

 

Intensive language studies may expedite granting of citizenship

 

Quick and successful studies of Finnish could shorten the minimum requirement of how long a foreign resident is required to have lived in Finland before citizenship is granted. An amendment to the law on citizenship is under preparation at the Ministry of the Interior, aimed at more flexibility in the naturalisation of foreign residents. 



A government proposal is to be submitted to Parliament in the autumn of 2009, and if it is passed, the new law would take effect in 2010. 

 

One measure under consideration is reducing the minimum number of years of residence to five or four. Especially those who have completed an academic degree in Finland are to be encouraged to stay in the country. 



Currently, getting citizenship requires satisfactory knowledge of Finnish (or Swedish) - a score of three on a scale of one to five.

 

Full story:

http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Intensive+language+studies+may+expedite+granting+of+citizenship/1135243035890

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