Naturalisation Tests as a Barrier to Citizenship? The Case of the Netherlands Which Integration Policies for Migrants? 28 October 2010

The case of the Netherlands ‘Naturalisation Test’ as a condition for naturalisation since 1 April 2003 –Oral and written language skills at level A2 –Knowledge of society in multiple choice exam –No possibilities for preparation –Costs: €260 Prior to introduction test only oral language skills in informal interview 2007: naturalisation test replaced by integration examination –Passing examination is also a condition for permanent residence –Level A2 –Costs: vary between €250 and €1200 –(Financed) possibilities for preparation Ricky van Oers, 28 October 2010

Developments in Dutch Nationality Law 1985: new Dutch Nationality Act –Codification of requirements for naturalisation –Influenced by Minorities’ Policy: strong legal position is beneficial to immigrant integration –Naturalisation is a means for integration 1992: Bill to alter Dutch Nationality Act (DNA) –Further relaxation of naturalisation requirements –Abolishing renunciation requirement –Immigrants should be able to acquire nationality without too much ‘fuss and costs’ –Large population of non-citizens undesirable –reformulation language and integration requirement  more uniform application Ricky van Oers, 28 October 2010

Developments (cont.) Revised Dutch Nationality Act 2003 introduced formalised language and integration test –Naturalisation is ‘crown’ on completed integration, rather than goal in itself Explanations –Political pressure exercised by Christian democrats and Conservative Liberals to strengthen requirements for naturalisation Importance of ‘feeling Dutch’, possibilities to exercise rights and duties of Dutch citizenship, too many naturalisations –Upward pressure exercised by Newcomers Integration Act 1998 Requiring more from newcomers than from future citizens is ‘the world turned upside down’ –Not: pressure from far-right parties

Effects of test

Explanations of effects Naturalisation test is mechanism of selection –About 75% of all applicants for naturalisation exempt on the basis of a diploma –Interviews showed that lower educated immigrants, women in disadvantaged positions, elderly and illiterates are refraining from naturalisation due to test (level (writing skills), costs, lack of possibilities for preparation) –Pass rate is 74% (60% if all those who registered are taken into account) –Varying pass rates per nationality Surinamese: 76%, Moroccan: 56%, Turkish: 52% Below 25%: Egyptian, Ghanaian and Sudanese nationalities  Level of education and country of origin play important role in selection of future Dutch citizens  No alarmed reaction by politicians

Changes brought about by integration examination? Pass rate equal (71-74%) Increase in number of succesful participants –14,300 naturalisation test vs 24,702 integration examination –However: at the end of 2009 around 100,000 course participants still had not taken the exam Increase in succesful candidates will lead to increase in number of naturalisations However: in future, immigrants will have to pay for their integration Plans of new Government to strengthen requirements for naturalisation => Re-affirms that Government no longer attributes value to high numbers of naturaisations