To work in Lithuania as an employed worker, you must, in general, obtain:
- a national long-term visa or a temporary residence permit;
- a decision of the Employment Service that your work will correspond to the demands of the Lithuanian labour market needs can be required (in case you apply for a temporary residence permit), or a work permit (in cases when you apply for a national long-term visa).
National long-term visa allows you to enter and stay in the country up to one year.
If you need to work longer, you should apply for a temporary residence permit.
Where and how to apply | National long-term visa If your profession is included in the list of professions with a shortage of employees or if your profession is not included in this list, but a work permit has been granted, you may apply for a national long-term visa at the Lithuanian embassy or consulateSearch for available translations of the preceding link in your country of residence. National long-term visa is issued within 15 days and allows you to enter and stay in the country for up to one year. If necessary, during the validity of the national long-term visa you can apply for a temporary residence permit while in the country. Temporary residence permit Please note that from 1st September 2019 you are allowed to apply for a temporary residence permit only at the Migration department. The decision to issue the residence permit is taken within 4 months at the latest. For an additional fee, the decision will be taken within 2 months at the latest. Since you have submitted the application for a temporary residence permit you can apply for a national long-term visa that will be issued for a period of up to 5 months. In this case you may stay in Lithuania while your application for a temporary residence permit is being examined and, in case of issuance, collect your residence permit. If you receive a positive decision and are outside the country, you will be issued a single-entry national visa, if necessary, and you will be able to enter Lithuania and collect your residence permit here. NB! Once launched, the new Migration Information System (MIGRIS) will allow to fill in the application form and submit all documents required to apply for a temporary residence permit online. While or before you apply for a temporary residence permit, your employer needs to register the vacancy within the local Employment Service. Within one month after this registration your future employer may apply for your work permit or a decision that your work will correspond to the demands of the Lithuanian labour market needs at the local Employment Service Office. The application will be processed and a work permit or a decision will be issued within 7 working days. Note that, before taking the decision to grant you a temporary residence permit, the Migration Department must receive the work permit or a decision on you meeting the needs of the Lithuanian labour market. Note that in case you apply for extension of your residence in Lithuania, you should apply for a temporary residence permit before your national long-term visa or the previous temporary residence permit expires. Otherwise, you will have to leave the country and wait for your temporary residence permit while abroad. If you belong to a certain category of workersSearch for available translations of the preceding link you are exempt from the requirement to have a work permit or a decision and your employer doesn’t need to register a vacancy within the Employment Service. However, you must still apply for a temporary residence permit or a national long-term visa. Within one month after this notification your future employer may apply for your work permit or a decision that your work will correspond to the demands of the Lithuanian labour market needs at the same local Employment Service Office. The application will be processed and a work permit or a decision will be issued within 7 working days. The detailed procedure for applying for a work permit or a decision of the Employment Service that your work corresponds to the demands of the Lithuanian labour market is described hereSearch for available translations of the preceding link and here. |
Documents required | To apply for a national long-term visa, you must submit:
To obtain a temporary residence permit you must submit the following documents:
In order to issue the document, your fingerprints will be taken – all hand fingerprints in case of national long-term visa, 2 fingerprints and a face image in case of temporary residence permit. |
Further requirements | When you obtain a temporary residence permit, you must declare your place of residence. To collect your residence permit you must contact:
If you hold a temporary residence permit, you must, not later than within 7 days, notify the Migration department in the event of: change of documents confirming your identity or citizenship; change of your family situation; change of your place of residence. |
Duration of validity of permits | Work permits are granted for a maximum of two years. Residence permits are granted for the duration of your work permit, but no longer than for 2 years. If you are not required to have a work permit, the residence permit will be issued or renewed for the period of your work in Lithuania, but no longer than 2 years. National long-term visas are granted for up to one year and cannot be renewed. |
Conditions for renewal | If a work permit was issued for a period shorter than 2 years a new work permit may be issued, but the total duration of work permit may not exceed 2 years. If you are not required to have a work permit, the residence permit may be renewed for the period of your work in Lithuania, but no longer than 2 years. An application for the renewal of a temporary residence permit must be submitted to the Migration department’s territorial division. Application and required documents for the renewal of a temporary residence permit in general order shall be submitted at least 2 months in advance but not earlier than 4 months before the expiry of the current permit. Application and required documents for the renewal of the temporary residence permit on a matter of urgency shall be submitted at least 1 month before the expiry. The decision to renew the residence permit is taken within 2 months at the latest. For an additional fee, the decision will be taken within 1 month at the latest. |
Appeals | You will be notified on the decision via the e-mail address, submitted in your application. Decisions can be challenged before the Vilnius District Administrative Court within 14 days from the receipt of the decision and further before the Supreme Administrative Court. |
Further information | More on employing a non-EU citizen Search for available translations of the preceding link More on temporary residence permits |
Change of employment | Your temporary residence permit will be issued for the purposes of work at the particular employer – you cannot change employment nor the employer without applying for a change of your employment or employer at the Migration Department no later than 3 months before the conclusion of the new work contract. Having checked whether you fulfil the conditions of employment, the Migration Department takes a decision concerning the change of your employment or the employer. After receiving this decision, you may change your employment or employer on the basis of the same residence permit. |
Unemployment | If you become unemployed, your temporary residence permit or a national long-term visa will be withdrawn and you will have to leave the territory of Lithuania. |
Change of status | If conditions for issuing a temporary residence permit have changed and you are no longer eligible for the temporary residence permit, you must leave the Republic of Lithuania and your temporary residence permit will be revoked. However, if you express a wish to reside in the Republic of Lithuania, you may be granted temporary residence permit on other grounds. In this case, you need to apply for a new temporary residence permit. |
Family members | You are not entitled to be accompanied by your family members. |
Long-term residence | If you have been residing in a continuous and legal manner for five years in Lithuania, you can obtain a permanent resident’s status. Basic knowledge of the Lithuanian language and of the Lithuanian Constitution will be tested. |
No information available