17 January 2007

AMSTERDAM — The integration exam that the Dutch government requires non-western immigrants to complete in their home country before entering the Netherlands is posing few problems to examinees.

About 90 percent of the immigrants who sit the exam pass on the first attempt, figures supplied to the Parliament by Integration Minister Rita Verdonk revealed on Wednesday.

Most candidates are aged between 26 and 35. They are primarily Turkish (20 percent), Moroccan (19 percent) and Chinese (10 percent).

The 'foreign integration basis exam' was introduced on 15 March last year and up until 30 September 2006, some 1436 exams had been completed.

A total of 56 percent of the candidates were women, 88 percent of whom passed on the first attempt. The percentage among men was 90 percent.

The exam is given at Dutch embassies or consulates via a telephone line that has a direct connection with a computer in the Netherlands.

The idea behind the scheme is that new arrivals will more quickly integrate into Dutch society if they enter the country well prepared.

The Netherlands is the first country in the world to obligate permanent new arrivals to complete an integration exam in their nation of origin before arriving in the country.

Foreigners are tested on their knowledge of the Dutch language and culture. EU nationals and citizens from several other Western nations such as the US and Australia are exempt from taking the exam.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news