EU rule exempts Turks from immigration test
Turkish immigrants must be given same requirements as EU citizens Unlike other immigrant groups, Turks seeking to immigrate to Denmark are not required to take the new immigration test for their foreign relation applications. Starting on 15 November, immigrants seeking...
Unlike other immigrant groups, Turks seeking to immigrate to Denmark are not required to take the new immigration test for their foreign relation applications.
Starting on 15 November, immigrants seeking to join a family member residing in Denmark must pass a test of basic knowledge about Danish culture and language. The test costs 3,000 kroner to take.
The exemption from the test was announced on November 12 and is based on a guest worker rights accord signed in 1963 between Turkey and what was then the EC, now the EU.
The agreement means that family members of Turkish citizens working in Denmark cannot be subject to different requirements than family members of EU citizens.
Integration Minister Birthe Rønn Hornbech told Jyllands-Posten newspaper that the ministry was unable to change the rule.
The Danish People's Party (DF), however, is calling for political action to eliminate the exemption.
“I find it distressing when a bill that has been passed here is then changed by the EU,” said DF integration spokesperson Peter Skaarup, warning that if Hornbech did not take action, the issue would be taken further up the system.
DF will now summon representatives from all parties in parliament to discuss what it calls the EU's interference with national immigration policy.
Next year, new fees will be introduced for immigrants to Denmark. Turkish immigrants will not be required to pay those either.