Residence Permits in the Republic of Lithuania

General information

From the beginning of 2023 the Migration Department started providing the service of issuing temporary residence permits in Lithuania through an external service provider. VFS Global, the world's largest outsourcing and technology company providing similar services to many governments and diplomatic missions, has been selected through a public procurement process.

From 2 January 2023, foreigners wishing to obtain a temporary residence permit in Lithuania are able to submit their applications in 34 different foreign countries, where VFS Global's offices will are located.

The external service provider is authorised to provide clients with information on the procedure for issuing temporary residence permits, to receive applications and documents required to be submitted, to collect personal and biometric data, and to transmit them to Migration Department specialists.

In all cases, decisions on whether or not to issue a temporary residence permit will be taken by Migration Department specialists. The time allowed for examining the application and taking a decision can vary from 1 to 3 months.

The external service provider is also obliged to collect Lithuanian State levies for services. Receiving, examining and deciding on an application for a temporary residence permit and issuing the document in accordance with the general procedure is subject to a levy of EUR 120. From 2023, foreigners admitted to study in a Lithuanian research and study institution under a study programme or to a doctoral programme enjoy a novelty: the state levy for issuing a temporary residence permit is reduced by 50%. Foreigners who have completed their studies or research and experimental development in Lithuania are able to pay no state levy for the issue or amendment of temporary residence permits for one time.

Once the Migration Department's specialists have taken a decision to issue a temporary residence permit in Lithuania, the card produced will be sent abroad. Thus, the foreigner will arrive in Lithuania with a valid residence permit and will no longer need to obtain an additional visa.

If the foreigner has a visa entitling him/her to come to our country, or if he/she uses a visa-free regime, he/she will be able to collect the temporary residence permit card already issued in Lithuania.

In addition, amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens entered into force on 2 January 2023, shortening the time limit for processing applications for temporary residence permits by 1 month.

All foreign nationals are able to apply to the VFS Global offices, regardless of whether they are resident in the country where such services are provided.

For more information please visit the website of the Migration Department under the Minsitry of the Republic of Lithuania.