If you’re thinking about moving to Lithuania, you’ll need to take care of a residence permit. The residence permit allows you to live in Lithuania legally if you’re not from the EU or EEA. Usually, you can get a temporary residence permit (TRP) for reasons such as family, work, studies, legal activity or other.  

The first step is to decide which type of TRP you need and check if you qualify to apply for it. 

Family-based TRP 

If you have a family member living in Lithuania, you can apply for a temporary residence permit to join them. Family members include children, dependent parents, spouses, and registered partners. This permit is usually valid for 2 years and can be renewed for up to 4 years. You can stay in Lithuania as long as your family member does, unless you get a residence permit for other reasons. To join a family member working in Lithuania, they must have lived there for the last 2 years and have a temporary residence permit valid for at least 1 year. There is an exception for the families of Blue Card holders, who can move to Lithuania immediately and receive permits valid for three years. Master's and doctoral students are also granted an exception, allowing them to bring their family members without a waiting period. Apply here. 

Work-based TRP 

For most types of work in Lithuania, you'll need to apply for a temporary residence permit, typically issued for up to 2 years. Highly qualified workers can get a Blue Card, valid for 3 years and renewable. To get a temporary residence permit on a work basis, your future employer must submit a mediation letter to the Migration Department, confirming your employment and eligibility. Remember, this permit is linked to your employer. If you want to change jobs, you'll need to follow an additional procedure. Apply here.  

IMPORTANT: To be eligible to work in Lithuania, you must meet at least one of the following requirements: have proof of qualification, have at least one year of relevant work experience in the last three years, or receive a monthly salary that is at least equal to the latest published average monthly gross salary in the country's economy for the calendar year.  

Study-based TRP 

This permit is for individuals enrolled in full-time studies at a school or higher education institution in Lithuania, those enhancing their qualifications, or those entering a traineeship agreement. To apply, you'll need a facilitation letter from a scientific or educational institution. The permit is valid for the duration of your studies, up to 2 years. For PhD students, it is valid for up to 3 years and can be renewed. Apply here. 

TRP for legal activities 

You can come to Lithuania to do business. If the company you're managing or participating in has been lawfully active for more than 6 months, you can get a temporary residence permit, usually for 2 years, renewable. Apply here.  

Other grounds for TRP 

You can also get a residence permit if you have Lithuanian descent, can't return to your home country, are a victim of human trafficking, are a guardian or caretaker of a Lithuanian citizen, or have finished your studies in Lithuania. There are also other cases listed here. 

TRP requirements 

The list of required documents varies, depending on the ground of you arrive

• Valid passport
• Documents confirming the grounds for issuance of TRP (they depend on the type of permit you are applying for, it could be a marriage certificate, facilitation letter from an employer, educational institution etc.)
• Financial stability. You'll need to show you can support yourself financially. This might be a bank statement, a work contract, or proof that you have enough funds for the duration of your TRP (or at least for one year). In 2025, the required amount per month is equal to the minimum wage in Lithuania (€1038). If you’re applying based on scientific grounds or you're a minor, it’s half the minimum wage).  
• Certificate showing you don’t have a criminal record. 
• Proof of residence - a commitment that you have a place to live
• Health insurance
• Proof of paid state fee for your TRP

How to apply for TRP? 

• To start the application process, fill out the online application form and upload digital copies of the required documents. Submit your application through the MIGRIS (Lithuanian Migration Information System). Please note, that submitting an application does not entitle you to reside in Lithuania. 
• After submitting your e-application, you'll need to schedule an appointment to provide your biometric data and original documents. Remember to do it within 4 months once the online application is submitted. You have two options for this: 

1. At the VFS Global Application Centre abroad 
2. At the Migration Department in Lithuania

• Once you've submitted your biometrics, you'll need to wait for the decision. You can track the progress of your application through your personal MIGRIS account. Notifications about the decision will be sent to your MIGRIS account and email
• Once your application is approved, you can collect your TRP card. You can choose to pick it up at a Migration Department office in Lithuania or at an external service provider's office (VFS Global) while abroad. Keep in mind that it may take longer to receive your permit if you choose to collect it while abroad
• Just a heads-up: it can take about 45 to 90 days to process your application. The fee for processing is €160 if you choose the standard 90-day option or €320 for the quicker 45-day option. Also, if you’re sending your documents from outside Lithuania through a VFS Global Application Center, there’ll be an extra service fee between €30 and €120, depending on where you’re applying from. 

VFS Global 

VFS Global offices operate in the following countries: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, Kazakhstan, India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Moldova, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Republic of South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela. VSF Global services are not available in Belarus, Russia, and China.

From the 1st of December, only citizens of the countries where the VFS Global office is located are able to apply for the issuance of a residence permit. Meaning, that residents (not citizens) of those countries can apply only in exceptional cases. Citizens of countries where there is no external service provider will be able to apply for a temporary residence permit in Lithuania through an external service provider in another country if they plan to come to Lithuania on the basis of family reunification, intend to work in a highly skilled job, or have been invited to study in our country's research and study institutions, as well as at doctoral level. It is also possible to submit an application in another state if the foreigner is being transferred within a company or if he/she intends to come to Lithuania as a lecturer or researcher, or if he/she is coming to Lithuania to work for a large investor or on the basis of a collective relocation in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Investments.

Check TRP status 

A residence permit grants the right to stay in Lithuania only until the date specified in it. You must monitor the validity of your permit and renew it on time. To check your TRP status, log in to MIGRIS. You can also set up a free automatic notification to remind you when your TRP is about to expire. Just log in to your personal MIGRIS account and give your consent in the “My Documents” section. You'll receive reminder emails twice—120 days and 60 days before your document expires. 

Renew your TRP 

To renew your TRP please submit your application and all necessary documents at least 2 months before your permit expires. If you’re looking to change your permit, make sure to submit your application and supporting documents at least 1 workday before the expiry of the temporary residence permit, but not earlier than 6 months in advance.

Don’t forget to change your TRP (formalize a new TRP) if you’ve gotten married and changed your surname, or if your TRP card is damaged. If you’ve lost your TRP card, be sure to report it as well and order a new one. Once your request is processed online, your new TRP card will be issued within 10 business days. 

What happens when the residence permit expires?

If your residence permit has expired, you must leave Lithuania, unless you have a valid visa or are eligible for visa-free travel. Otherwise, your stay in the country becomes illegal. Foreigners who are illegally in Lithuania might be returned to their country of origin, or be deported. More information can be found here (in Lithuanian).