If you wish to come to Lithuania as a student, you must:
- be enrolled in a higher educational institution recognised in Lithuania or participate in a student exchange programme;
- obtain a national long-term visa or a temporary residence permit.
If you come to Lithuania according to a student exchange programme, you must obtain a national long-term visa. If you are enrolled in a higher educational institution, you can obtain either a national long-term visa, or a temporary residence permit.
A national long-term visa allows you to enter the country for the purpose of studies and stay in the country for up to one year. For the first year of studies students usually apply for the national long-term visa and apply for a residence permit for the second and subsequent years while legally in the country.
Where and how to apply | The application for a national long-term visa is to be lodged at the Lithuanian embassy or consulateSearch for available translations of the preceding link, or, if you are already legally staying in Lithuania, you can apply for a national long-term visa at the certain divisions of the Migration department (Vilnius, Kaunas or Klaipeda)Search for available translations of the preceding link. Please note that from 1st January 2020 if you are enrolled in a higher educational institution, you can apply for a national long-term visa only at the Lithuanian embassy or consulate. Please note that from 1st September 2019 you should apply for a temporary residence permit only at the Migration department. 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. National long-term visa 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, and as long as the national long-term visa is valid, you can apply for a temporary residence permit while remaining in the country. If you come to Lithuania according to a student exchange programme, you are exempt from the state fee. If you are enrolled in a higher educational institution. A temporary residence permit The decision to issue the residence permit is taken within 3 months at the latest. For an additional fee, the decision will be taken within 45 days 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. 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. 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. |
Documents required | To obtain a national long-term visa you must submit the following documents:
To obtain a temporary residence permit you must submitthe 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 the face image in case of temporary residence permit. |
Further requirements | 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. To collect your residence permit you must contact:
When you obtain a temporary residence permit, you must declare your place of residence. 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; if you submit an application to be admitted to an equivalent study program or to doctoral studies of another higher educational institution. |
Duration of validity of permits | National long-term visa is granted for up to 1 year. It cannot be renewed. Residence permit is granted for 2 years or for the total duration of your studies if this is less than 2 years and can be renewed. During the last year of the studies, the residence permit is issued or renewed for a period of3 months longer that the estimated studies. |
Conditions for renewal | Temporary residence permit may be renewed on the same conditions. 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 temporary residence permits |
Employment during studies | You have the right to work up to 20 hours per week with the exception of the summer holiday period set by the educational establishment or science and technology institutions. This working time limitation does not apply to foreigners undertaking doctoral studies. |
Stay and employment after studies | After completing your studies, you have the opportunity to apply for a temporary residence permit for 12 months for job search and self-employment. For more information visit here |
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 allowed to be accompanied by your family members (except for doctoral students). |
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. |
If you have a permit/visa for studies in an EU country and are covered by an EU or multilateral programme or an agreement between universities, you may carry out part of your studies and work (in addition to your studies) in Lithuania if you fulfil certain requirements. You may reside and study in Lithuania for up to 360 days.
If you are not covered by a programme or agreement, you can apply for a new permit/visa in LithuaniaSearch for available translations of the preceding link.
If you are holding a valid temporary residence permit or a national visa issued by another Member State and you are participating in the student mobility programme, or there is an agreement made between two or more higher education institutions, you are allowed to continue part of your studies and stay in the Republic of Lithuania without having a visa for a period of up to 360 days and without the need to go through the notification procedure.
If you wish to work during this period, you need to have a work permit. Your future employer must apply for your work permit at the local Employment service office