THE HAGUE, Wednesday - The obligatory language and culture exam that potential immigrants must take before they can travel to the Netherlands is not possible in six countries. Their inhabitants have to take the exam in a different country.

In Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, Cameroon, Cyprus and Malta, there are Dutch embassies or consulates, but it is not possible to hold an exam, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen has said in a letter to parliament. Those who cannot do an exam in their own country must travel to an embassy or consulate in another country in the region.

Verhagen stresses that the embassy or consulate will try to give the examinees from other countries a provisional residence permit (MVV) immediately if they pass the test. This will avoid them having to travel to the other country again later.

Migrants aged between 16 and 65 have since 15 March 2006 been required to take the basic exam in their home country before coming to the Netherlands. The exam is not required for citizens from EU member states, and citizens of 11 other countries are also exempted. The exams can be taken at 134 Dutch embassies and consulates abroad.