Residence Permits in the Republic of Lithuania

The main legal act regulating the issues concerning residence permits, their types and conditions of issue is the Law on the Legal status of Aliens (hereinafter - the Law).

A residence permit gives non-EU/non-EEA nationals the right to reside in the country, to choose a place of residence, to change the place of residence, and to depart from and return to the country during the period of validity of the residence permit, including travel within the Schengen Area.

Residence permits are either temporary or permanent. Aside from certain cases, first time residence permits and residence permits issued for work or business purposes will usually be temporary ones. Initial applications should be made to the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Lithuania abroad. Applicants who are already lawfully in Lithuania may apply to an institution authorised by the Minister of the Interior, but the making of such an application does not in itself entitle the applicant to remain in Lithuania while the application is being processed

For more detailed information on residence permits in the Republic of Lithuania, see the Migration Department under the Ministry of Interior website  www.migracija.lt

As of 2009, non-EU/non-EEA nationals who possess a work permit issued by the Lithuanian Labour Exchange can apply for a multiple entry national visa (D) valid for the period indicated in the work permit, but no longer than for one year. Such applications should be made to a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Lithuania abroad or, in certain cases, to the Migration Department in Lithuania.