New integration requirements in the making

Passing a Faroese language and culture course will become a requirement for foreign nationals to receive a residence permit.

This is part of the integration policy currently under preparation, and it was also one of the main recommendations in the integration report form 2011.

An agreement was made with Danish authorities last winter to transfer major parts of the residence permit administration to Faroese authorities. This agreement included a provision enabling Faroese authorities to set a certain level of linguistic and cultural affiliation with the Faroe Islands as a requirement for residence permits.

Integration involves everyone

And it has now been agreed that linguistic and cultural requirements will be set for newcomers.

Foreign minister Poul Michelsen says that a general law on integration will not solve the challenges of immigration on its own, and that the entire Faroese society is responsible for ensuring a successful integration of new citizens coming from abroad.

See also:

Minister vows to improve language situation

Foreign researchers struggle with work permits

Faroese language teaching is too inconsistent

Translated by prosa.fo