Residence Permit
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT
An alien intending to live in the Republic of Lithuania for a period exceeding three months in any calendar half-year from the first day of entry into the Republic of Lithuania or intending to work or engage in other lawful activities in the Republic of Lithuania must obtain the temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania.
An alien who is a national of one of the Member States of the EU may be admitted to the Republic of Lithuania and stay therein for a period not exceeding three months in any calendar half-year from the first day of entry into the Republic of Lithuania, such an alien seeking employment or intending to engage in any other lawful activity in the Republic of Lithuania may stay in the Republic of Lithuania for another three months.
A temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania and an EC residence permit shall grant an alien the right to reside in the Republic of Lithuania, to choose a place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania, to change the place of residence, to depart from and return to the Republic of Lithuania during the period of validity of the residence permit.
Aliens who are nationals of the Member States of the European Union also nationals of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein and their family members shall be issued a residence permit for a national of European Community Member State - EC residence permit. In this case the same provisions apply to EFTA nationals and nationals of the EU Member States. Nationals of all other countries shall be issued temporary residence permits in the Republic of Lithuania.
This document is issued to aliens from countries of the European Union or European Economic Area who are residing in the Lithuania for more than a short period under Community law. This document needs to be replaced every five years.
PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT
Long-term resident‘s of the Republic of Lithuania European Community residence permit (hereafter – a permanent residence permit) – is a document entitling the alien to reside in the Republic of Lithuania and certifying the alien’s official status of permanent resident.
Immigration and Residency in Lithuania
Non European Union citizens, willing to engage in certain activities in Lithuania like studies or work must apply for and receive a temporary residence permit. If a temporary residence permit on studies is issued, non-European citizen enjoys the right of possible part-time work (which according to the Labor Code is not more than 20 hours per week). Depending on the staying in Lithuania reasons, the temporary residence permit may be issued for a period not longer than 5 years through the local migration office.
Regarding the work permit, Lithuanian registered enterprise may employ a foreigner if he has a valid work permit issued by the Lithuanian Labor Exchange. However for citizens of the EU they are not required as well as for foreigners holding a permit for permanent residence, foreigners who retained their right to the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, foreigners of the Lithuanian origin and foreigners who married in Lithuania.
The issue of having a temporary residence permit may grant a right to have the work permit. The work permit is not required for persons who work as a head of the company registered in Lithuania.
No definite or specific minimum education, qualification, minimum work, or business experience are needed to apply for the Lithuanian Residence Permit. However, any higher degrees like a Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, Engineering Degree or Diploma course’ proved business and management experience would add to the credibility of the application. There are no language and age restrictions either, though knowledge of English language is a definite plus.
Visa Free Travelling in European Union
When a person, who is not a citizen of the Schengen State and who has a residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania, during the period of validity of permit is entitled to travel in the entire Schengen Area for 3 months during the period of six months without a visa as of the first day of arrival to any Schengen State, other than the one that has issued the aforementioned residence permit.