🇱🇹 Lithuania visa and immigration options

Work-Based Temporary Residence Permit

Non-EU nationals with a qualifying Lithuanian job offer can apply for a work-based temporary residence permit, subject to an ANNUAL QUOTA on new foreign-worker applications and a minimum salary threshold.

Processing time

Not precisely stated by sources reviewed for this permit.

Typical costs

Government processing fees plus proof-of-funds documentation costs (EUR 924/month minimum, 2024 figure, likely updated since).

Government fees

Fee not confirmed by sources reviewed for this specific permit; confirm with the Migration Department.

Work and study rights

Full work rights tied to the sponsoring employer.

Family

Spouse and minor children can apply for family reunification once you hold a valid permit.

Important: Lithuania's annual quota for new foreign-worker applications (24,830 units for 2025) can be exhausted mid-year — new applications were suspended on 15 October 2025 once used-plus-pending applications reached the limit. Confirm current quota status with the Migration Department before relying on this route; timing of any quota reopening was not stated by…

Sources reviewed: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2715580/lithuania-halts-new-foreign-work-permit-applications-as-quota-nears-limit, https://eiglaw.com/?p=11803

National Visa D for Full-Time Study

Non-EU students admitted to a recognized Lithuanian educational institution apply for a National Visa D (full-time study purpose), followed by a study residence permit.

Processing time

Not precisely stated by sources reviewed.

Typical costs

Proof of funds generally at least EUR 924/month (2024 figure); confirm current amount.

Government fees

Fee not confirmed by sources reviewed; confirm with your Lithuanian consulate or institution.

Work and study rights

Part-time work rights are generally available to registered students, subject to standard Lithuanian limits.

Family

Dependants are not typically included under a student permit; a separate family-reunification application would be needed.

Sources reviewed: https://lsmu.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/visad_2022_05_30_new_information.pdf

Startup Visa

For non-EU/EEA founders with an innovative business idea evaluated by Startup Lithuania. No working product is required at application; the business plan is judged on innovation, viability, scalability, and team.

Processing time

TRP processing: about 1 month standard or 15 days urgent. Full process from submission to TRP issuance typically 2-4 months.

Typical costs

Subsistence funds roughly EUR 1,153/month (EUR 13,836/year, a 2025 figure — the minimum wage it's tied to rose again on 1 January 2026, so confirm the current amount); health insurance EUR 300-800; documents/translations EUR 200-500; optional consultancy EUR…

Government fees

EUR 160 — Startup Lithuania application: typically free. Temporary Residence Permit (TRP): EUR 160 standard or EUR 320 urgent.

Work and study rights

Permits running your qualifying startup; initial TRP valid 2 years, renewable for 3 more (5 years total). You have 6 months after TRP issuance to incorporate your UAB and begin operations.

Family

Not detailed by sources reviewed for this specific route; confirm with an immigration adviser.

Important: the commonly-cited subsistence figure (EUR 1,153/month) is explicitly labelled a 2025 value in the source reviewed, even though Lithuania's minimum wage — which the figure is tied to — rose again on 1 January 2026; the actual current figure is likely higher. Confirm with the Migration Department before budgeting.

Sources reviewed: https://remoteworkeurope.eu/insights/lithuania-startup-visa-explained

Family Reunification

Family members of a non-EU national lawfully residing in Lithuania can apply for a temporary residence permit on family-reunification grounds; family members entering together with the permit holder may receive a permit of the same duration.

Processing time

Generally 6 months from lodging the application; 4 months if the applicant already holds a long-term EU residence permit from another member state.

Typical costs

No specific income figure stated; general issuance conditions (health insurance, adequate means of subsistence, accommodation) apply.

Government fees

Fee not stated by sources reviewed.

Work and study rights

Family members granted residence on this basis can generally access the labour market, subject to standard Lithuanian rules.

Family

This IS the family-joining pathway; it covers the qualifying relative(s) themselves.

Sources reviewed: https://www.whatpassport.com/countries/Lithuania/Family_and_Partner/Temporary_Residency

Permanent Residence Permit

Non-EU nationals can apply for permanent residence after 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Lithuania, per the Startup Visa program's own timeline reference (confirm this applies generally, not just to startup-route holders).

Processing time

Not precisely stated by sources reviewed for this permit specifically.

Typical costs

Government processing fees plus proof-of-funds documentation costs.

Government fees

Fee not confirmed by sources reviewed; confirm with the Migration Department.

Work and study rights

Full work rights with no employer tie once permanent residence is granted.

Family

Family members already residing with you can apply for their own permanent status in parallel.

Sources reviewed: https://remoteworkeurope.eu/insights/lithuania-startup-visa-explained

Lithuanian Citizenship by Naturalization

Standard naturalization requires OVER 10 years of lawful permanent residence in Lithuania, a Lithuanian-language-and-Constitution exam, a legal source of subsistence, a clean criminal record, and either no other citizenship or its renunciation. Spouses of Lithuanian citizens qualify after just 7 years (sometimes 5).

Processing time

Migration Department review: within 3 months per the source reviewed, though the whole process can take up to 12 months.

Typical costs

Government application fee (amount not confirmed) plus language/Constitution-exam preparation costs.

Government fees

Application fee not confirmed by sources reviewed; confirm with the Migration Department.

Work and study rights

Full citizenship rights upon approval, including an EU passport and unrestricted right to live and work across the EU.

Family

Spouses of Lithuanian citizens married 1+ year to a now-deceased spouse, or married to a former deportee/political prisoner, may qualify under the shortened 5-year path.

Important: Lithuania's standard 10+-YEAR permanent-residence requirement is among the longest in the EU. The residence clock is not broken by absences of up to 6 months per year, but you should not be abroad more than 6 months at any single stretch — a nuance distinct from the overall annual allowance.

Sources reviewed: https://migration.lt/naturalization

Visit Lithuania (Short-Stay/Schengen Visa)

Lithuania is a full Schengen member. Many nationalities can enter visa-free for short stays; others need a Schengen C visa.

Processing time

Standard Schengen C-visa processing (commonly a few weeks); visa-free nationalities need no advance processing.

Typical costs

Standard Schengen visa fee (where applicable) plus travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000.

Government fees

Standard Schengen short-stay visa fee applies for nationalities requiring a visa.

Work and study rights

None; this category is for tourism, short business trips, and similar short-term purposes only.

Family

Each traveller applies/enters individually.

Sources reviewed: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2715580/lithuania-halts-new-foreign-work-permit-applications-as-quota-nears-limit