Article roundup
- Lithuania is a prosperous Baltic state, with a progressive visa and immigration policy encouraging foreign nationals to move to Lithuania.
- The Work Permit system in Lithuania provides an effective work visa system for those outside the EU/common market through the regular Work Permit, EU Blue Card and Self-Employment visas.
- To ensure that the visa process goes as smoothly as possible, some businesses and individuals seek out an international mobility or global PEO company to support the process.
Lithuania is the most economically successful Baltic state, with a 500 percent increase in GDP since its independence in 1990, and recently ranked 11th in the world for ease of doing business.
Lithuania has a ‘dual visa’ system which means third-country nationals (i.e., those outside the EU/common market) require both a work visa/permit and a residence permit. In this way, it is distinct from some other countries in the region (such as Slovenia and Slovakia)which operate a ‘Single Permit’ system.
Here we set out everything you need to know about Lithuania work visas.
What are the different types of Lithuania work visa?
There are several types of work visas available in Lithuania. The key types to be aware of are the:
- Work Permit, which is available to applicants in occupations where there is a recognized shortage. Generally, the relevant jobs must be advertised to determine if an EU/common market candidate is available for the job. Note, there was previously an alternate process known as the “decision on the compliance of foreign work with the needs of the labor market”, but this was disestablished in 2022.
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa, a temporary visa available to transferees within a multinational company who are being moved to Lithuania to work in a branch of a subsidiary. This is technically a subcategory of the Lithuania Work Permit.
- EU Blue Card, a visa for highly skilled workers from outside the EU who have a job offer with a minimum salary of €1,431/month. It allows the holder to live and work in Lithuania for a maximum of 4 years, with the possibility of renewal.
- Residence Permit for Self-Employment, which is for entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals who are looking to start their own business in Lithuania. The applicant must have a viable business plan, and be able to demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and experience to run the business.
Once a Work Permit has been issued, the individual becomes eligible for either a National Visa (D) or a Residence Permit. The key difference between the two is that the first type of visa does not permit changing employers or self-employment, whereas the second permits it.
Check if a position is eligible for a Lithuania work permit through the Employment Service
What is the process for applying for a Lithuania work visa?
The process for applying for a work visa in Lithuania can vary depending on the specific type of work visa you are applying for, but the process generally proceeds as follows:
- Check which visa or work permit is most appropriate. If you are unsure, this is something that an international PEO company offering Lithuania visa services can help you with.
- Gather all required documents.
- Apply for the Work Permit, through the sponsoring employer and the Lithuania Employment Service.
- Apply for the accompanying Residence Permit or the National Visa through the closest Lithuania embassy or consulate.
- Await the visa and permit decisions, with processing times usually taking from 1-3 months.
Applying for a Lithuania work visa — our take
As a prosperous Baltic state with a well-developed tech industry, it is no wonder that many individuals seek to work in Lithuania under a work visa arrangement. While processing times are usually quick, the ‘dual visa’ arrangement which requires that the applicant hold both a work visa/work permit and a Residence Permit/National Visa adds some complexity to the process.
If you need support in applying for a Lithuania work or residence visa we recommend you get in touch with an international mobility agency.
FAQs
Yes, in order to apply for a work visa in Lithuania, you will typically need to have a job offer from a Lithuanian employer and that employer will need to sponsor your visa application. The employer will need to provide evidence of the job offer, including details of the position and salary, and will also need to demonstrate that the position cannot be filled by a Lithuanian or EU/common market citizen.
It's important to note that as Lithuania is a member of the EU and European common makret, so citizens of EU/common market countries don't need a work visa to work in Lithuania.
If all required documents are provided, the Lithuania Work Permit and Residence Permit can usually be processed in 1-3 months.
