On Thursday, Russia labeled the British Council as an “undesirable organization,” a decision that is expected to hinder Russian citizens’ abilities to study and reside abroad.
The British Council is one of the key organizers of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), recognized globally as one of the most prominent academic English proficiency tests for non-native speakers.
With the British Council now classified as “undesirable,” any collaboration with this organization is rendered illegal in Russia. Experts caution that this could also extend to the IELTS exam managed by the British Council.
Without the ability to demonstrate their English skills via the IELTS, Russian students and researchers may encounter restricted access to international academic avenues, and those aiming to live and work in English-speaking nations might struggle to obtain visas.
For instance, the IELTS results are accepted by UK Visas and Immigration as validation of English proficiency for individuals wishing to live, work, or study in the United Kingdom.
Following the extensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IELTS suspended all testing in Russia, yet many Russians have continued to take the exam in other countries.
According to Russian law, engaging with the activities of an “undesirable organization” can lead to fines of up to 15,000 rubles (approximately $189) for first-time offenders, as noted by Kovcheg (The Ark), a support network for anti-war Russians within and outside the country.
More gravely, paying for services — including fees for English proficiency exams — could be construed as financial support for such organizations, which is a criminal act punishable by up to five years in prison.
The Prosecutor General of Russia has accused the British Council of furthering British foreign interests “under the pretense of teaching English,” as well as promoting the “LGBT movement,” which has recently been classified as “extremist” by the Russian government.
The British Council has yet to respond to this designation.
This action marks the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at Western-affiliated institutions.
