On June 5th, 2025, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation recognized the international organization (The British Council) as undesirable in Russia. This decision has serious consequences for the citizens associated with the IELTS exam organized by this structure.
What does the status of "undesirable organization" mean?
According to the Russian law, the activities of foreign or international non-governmental organizations may be recognized as undesirable if they pose a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order, defense capability, or security of the state. Adding an organization to the list of undesirable organizations entails a ban on its activities in Russia, as well as criminal and administrative liability for the citizens cooperating with it.
Consequences for the IELTS test takers
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam is an international English language proficiency test, organized by the British Council. After this organization was declared undesirable, taking this exam may be regarded as the cooperation with a prohibited structure.
‼According to the Section 284.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, financing the activities of an undesirable organization, including paying for the exam, may entail punishment in the form of a fine of up to 500 thousand rubles, compulsory or forced labor, or imprisonment for up to 5 years. Even taking the exam outside of Russia, but through the British Council structures, may be qualified as participation in the activities of an undesirable organization.
Persecution of English teachers
The Federal Security Service (FSS) has begun investigations of university teachers who collaborated with the British Council. 15 teachers were issued warnings about the inadmissibility of cooperation with undesirable organizations in four regions of Russia. One of the teachers even received a protocol for participating in the activities of an undesirable organization.
The situation reminds of the repressions in the Soviet Union, when in the 1930s the authorities persecuted citizens for knowing foreign languages or for having “foreign-sounding” names. Thus, learning English could be regarded as espionage or treason. Today's measures against teachers and students associated with the international educational programs raise concerns about a return to such practices.
Taking the IELTS exam can now entail criminal liability, and English teachers are subject to inspections and persecution. Welcome to the 1930s... - As the famous Russian theatre practitioner Stanislavsky would’ve said: I don't believe it!
Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada
Copyright 2025 «SKI Immigration Inc.»
All rights reserved.
