How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Lithuania

A residence permit in Lithuania allows you to legally live in the country for a set period, provided you have a valid reason — such as business activity, studies, employment, internship, or another purpose. Temporary residency also grants access to healthcare, legal assistance, and social services. To obtain a residence permit, applicants must first apply for a visa and provide documentation confirming the purpose of their stay. The permit is issued for a period ranging from 1 to 5 years, depending on the grounds. After five years of legal residence, one can apply for permanent residency (Residence Permit), and after another five years — for Lithuanian citizenship.

Pros and Cons of Obtaining a Residence Permit in Lithuania

A Lithuanian residence permit offers several opportunities and advantages:

• Studying at universities with access to scholarship and grant programs.
• Long-term residence in an EU country with the freedom to choose any city.
• Eligibility for mortgages and other types of loans, as well as opening foreign currency accounts.
• Access to medical care under the national health insurance system.
• Eligibility for social benefits, including child allowances and unemployment support.
• Legal employment and business operations (depending on the grounds for the permit).
• The possibility to apply for permanent residency and citizenship in the future.

However, there are also downsides. In 2025, obtaining a Lithuanian residence permit may be challenging and, in certain cases, unavailable. Entry visas are generally issued only for family reunification or humanitarian purposes, while other immigration visa categories remain limited. Without a valid entry visa, submitting an application for a residence permit is not possible. Additionally, the application process can be time-consuming, and Lithuanian immigration authorities retain the discretion to approve or refuse residence permit applications.

There is, however, an alternative route to move to Lithuania without needing a visa or residence permit — by acquiring an EU passport through an accelerated procedure in another EU country, starting from one year. Holding citizenship of any EU member state allows you to live, work, and conduct business anywhere in the Union, including Lithuania. Book a consultation to choose the most suitable fast-track EU citizenship program.

How non-EU countries Citizens Can Obtain a Residence Permit in Lithuania Today

Since 2022, the rules for obtaining a Lithuanian residence permit have become more restrictive. Entry into Lithuania is now limited, and visas are issued only in specific cases. At present, only the following categories of applicants are eligible to apply for a visa to enter Lithuania:

• family members of Lithuanian or other EU citizens;
• repatriates (ethnic Lithuanians), as well as their spouses and children;
• former Lithuanian citizens seeking to reinstate their status;
• individuals applying for protection and/or asylum in Lithuania.

Applications from other applicant categories are not accepted by Lithuanian diplomatic missions, either domestically or abroad. Entry into Lithuania is possible only with a valid Schengen visa or a residence permit issued by another country within the Schengen Area or the European Union. Individuals who hold citizenship of an EU member state may enter Lithuania without additional permits. With such citizenship, it is also possible to apply for permanent residence or citizenship locally, without the need to obtain a temporary residence permit or work authorization.

It is possible to obtain an EU passport through an expedited process in countries like Romania, Bulgaria, or Poland — typically within one year. Citizenship of any of these countries grants full rights of residence and employment throughout the European Union, including in Lithuania. If you are interested in this option, schedule a free consultation today.

Grounds for Obtaining a Lithuanian Residence Permit

To obtain a residence permit in Lithuania, you must choose one of the legally recognized grounds and provide documentary evidence to support it. The most common reasons for long-term stay include family reunification, employment, education, and entrepreneurship. Residence permits are also granted to repatriates and individuals seeking state protection.

In addition to verifying the legal basis for your stay, applicants must meet several general requirements:

• provide proof of a clean criminal record from the country of origin;
• obtain valid health insurance;
• show sufficient financial means for self-support, either through a bank account or proof of regular income;
• confirm ownership or rental of residential property in Lithuania;

Prepare a complete application package, which includes a passport, visa, proof of state fee payment for the residence permit, and documents confirming compliance with all listed conditions, such as a police clearance certificate, insurance policy, rental agreement, and bank statement.

The specific conditions required for each type of residence permit depend on the chosen basis and are outlined in the sections below.

Family Reunification

You are eligible to apply for a Lithuanian residence permit if you are the spouse, parent/guardian, or minor biological/adopted child of a local resident or citizen. To confirm your family ties, you must provide marriage or birth certificates and documents showing the sponsor’s immigration status, such as their residence permit or passport. Additionally, you must prove that the sponsor (or you, if the sponsor is your child) has sufficient financial means — at least €1,038 per family member per month. The residence must also meet housing standards of at least 7 square meters per person.

If the inviting person holds a temporary residence permit, your permit will match its validity. If the sponsor is a Lithuanian citizen or permanent resident, your initial residence permit will be granted for two years.

Employment

If you have signed an employment contract with a Lithuanian employer and there is an available quota for hiring foreign workers, you may apply for a residence permit for employment purposes. This permit is typically issued for two years or for the duration of the employment contract.

If you are applying for a highly qualified position, you may be eligible for a special type of permit known as the EU Blue Card. To qualify, you must sign a contract with a Lithuanian employer for at least six months, with a salary of no less than €2,100 per month. You must also hold a university degree and/or have at least three years of relevant professional experience. The EU Blue Card is granted for up to three years or for the contract duration plus an additional three months.

Another employment-based option is an intra-corporate transfer from a foreign branch of a company. Residence permits in this case are available for up to 3 years for specialists and managers, and for up to 12 months for trainees.

Studies

If you are enrolled in full-time studies at a Lithuanian university, college, or vocational school, you can apply for a residence permit valid for up to two years — or a shorter term if the academic program is shorter in duration (e.g., certain master’s programs or courses). Proof of admission from the institution’s administration is required, and if you are a fee-paying student, a tuition payment confirmation may also be requested. In some cases, the requirements for proof of funds and housing may be simplified or waived.

From the second year of studies, international students may work up to 20 hours per week without a separate work permit, provided employment does not interfere with academic progress. Upon graduation, you may apply for a one-year residence permit to search for employment. If you receive a job offer during this time, you may transition to a residence permit for employment purposes.

Investment and Business

You may apply for a Lithuanian residence permit if you establish a company in the country and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Acquire at least one-third of the company’s share capital (which must total no less than €28,000), act as a company director, and invest a minimum of €14,000 into the business.
• Invest at least €260,000 in company assets, create at least five jobs for Lithuanian citizens or residents, and become a director or owner of at least one-third of the company’s share capital.
• Invest a minimum of €500,000 into the company’s share capital, act as its director, and create at least ten jobs for EU passport holders or Lithuanian residence permit holders, paying each employee a salary of €1,400 or more.
• Launch an innovative startup in Lithuania with a minimum capital of €15,200. You may have up to three foreign co-founders.

To confirm your eligibility, you must submit a business plan, company registration documents, and receipts or other proof of financial investment. If your basis is an investment of €260,000 or more, your residence permit will be valid for 3 years; for all other cases — for 2 years.

Repatriation

You are eligible for a Lithuanian residence permit through repatriation if you are:

• a former Lithuanian citizen who held citizenship before June 15, 1940;
• a descendant of such a person;
• or a person of Lithuanian origin.

To confirm your claim, you must provide documents proving your Lithuanian heritage. This may include, for example, the birth certificate or passport of a Lithuanian ancestor. Residence permits based on repatriation are issued for 5 years.

Humanitarian Grounds

It is also possible to obtain a Lithuanian residence permit on humanitarian grounds in the following situations:

• Victims of human trafficking and/or forced labor who agree to cooperate with law enforcement authorities — for a period starting from 6 months.
• Individuals fleeing large-scale external threats to life and/or health in their home country (e.g., war, natural disaster) — initially granted for 1–2 years depending on the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.
• Those unable to return to their country of origin due to life-threatening risks (e.g., individuals seeking political asylum) — for a period starting from 1 year.
• Persons physically unable to leave Lithuania due to urgent medical conditions — for a minimum of 12 months.

Supporting documents may include photos, letters, media articles, or official reports confirming the threat to life or health. Other humanitarian grounds are assessed individually by the Lithuanian Migration Department.

Other Grounds

You may also qualify for a Lithuanian residence permit for specialized professional activities. Eligible applicants include:

• Researchers
• Scientists
• Experimental technicians
• Academics
• Journalists
• Artists
• Athletes
• Volunteers
• Missionaries

To apply, you must confirm cooperation with an accredited Lithuanian organization in the relevant field. Residence permits under these grounds are generally issued for 2 years or for the duration of the contract plus 3 months.

Procedure for Obtaining a Residence Permit in Lithuania

To obtain a Lithuanian residence permit, you must follow these steps:

1. Visa Application.
   You must apply for a national visa (type D) either in person at a Lithuanian consulate abroad or online through the Lithuanian Migration Department’s system. The visa fee is €140.
2. Online Residence Permit Application.
   The initial application, along with digital copies of supporting documents, must be submitted via the MIGRIS online system (Lithuanian Migration Information System). At this stage, a non-refundable processing fee is paid: €160 for standard processing (90 days) or €320 for expedited service (45 days).
3. Submission of Documents and Biometrics.
   Within 4 months of submitting your online application, you must schedule an appointment at a visa center (if applying from abroad) or at the Migration Department (if already in Lithuania) to present the original documents. During the appointment, your biometric data will also be collected.
4. Issuance of the Temporary Residence Card.
   You can check your application status in your personal account on the migration system’s website. Once a decision is made, you will be notified via email or in your MIGRIS account, including the date and method for collecting the physical residence card. An additional fee is charged for issuing the card — €45 for standard service or €90 for expedited service.

Extension of Residence Permit and Applying for Citizenship

The extension process is similar to the initial application and is done through the MIGRIS system. You should apply 1 to 4 months before your current permit expires. Processing time is up to 60 days for standard applications or 30 days for expedited ones.

To apply for permanent residence (PR), you must have resided in Lithuania for at least 5 years and must not have been absent for more than 6 consecutive months or a total of 10 months. Additional requirements include a clean criminal record, compliance with Lithuanian laws, stable income or employment, housing, and integration into local society. The PR application is also submitted through MIGRIS, followed by an in-person appointment. Fees and timelines are similar to those for temporary permits.

After 10 years of residence, you may apply for Lithuanian citizenship. In addition to the standard documents (similar to a PR application), you must pass a language proficiency test and an exam on the Lithuanian Constitution. Applications are submitted via MIGRIS. The government fee is €120, and the review process typically takes up to 6 months.

Refusal or Revocation of Residence Permit

Lithuanian authorities may refuse or revoke a residence permit under certain conditions:

• absence of legal grounds or supporting evidence;
• failure to meet eligibility requirements;
• fraudulent actions such as forged documents, concealed identity, or undisclosed criminal history;
• perceived threat to public safety or national security.

If your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision in court. During the appeal process, deportation is suspended. The Migration Department will re-evaluate your documents and issue a final decision.

Is It Worth Applying for a Lithuanian Residence Permit Today?

Obtaining a residence permit in Lithuania is a complex process, and for citizens of non-EU countries, it is currently further complicated by the inability to apply for an entry visa. Moreover, even with a residence permit, your rights remain limited to Lithuanian territory. Broader rights and opportunities are only available through permanent status, which typically takes 5–10 years to acquire.

A faster and more attractive alternative for relocation is participation in accelerated immigration programs in countries like Romania or Poland. Within just 12–18 months, you can obtain an EU passport, which grants the right to live, work, study, and run a business in any EU country — including Lithuania — without needing a visa or residence permit. A simple registration will be sufficient.