Group operated in exam centers spread across several cities in northern Italy
Five people have been arrested in Modena, Northern Italy, accused of fraud and falsification of documents in order to obtain a residence permit.
According to the police, the group facilitated Italian language knowledge exams.
25 people were investigated and more than 6 thousand foreigners benefited.
In the exams held between July and September 2018, all candidates were promoted. The foreigners received the forms already filled out with the answers.
Two months later, when the University of Perugia replaced all exam forms, just before the test, all candidates failed.
The group operated in exam centers spread across several cities in northern Italy, including the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige and Emilia-Romagna.
To obtain the “CELI” (Certification of knowledge of the Italian language), candidates paid between 450 and 700 euros – around R$2 and R$3.100, respectively.
Exam became mandatory
Since December 05th, when the Salvini Decree came into effect, prior knowledge of the Italian language through a proficiency test has become mandatory for those wishing to apply for Italian citizenship.
The measure applies both to those who live in the European country and to those who have started their Italian naturalization in Brazil, because their spouse is an Italian citizen.
The candidate for naturalization will need to reach at least level B1 — which is equivalent to intermediate — for the process to be completed.
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