Obtaining residence permit in Lithuania

This is the simplest way for obtaining temporary residence permit in Lithuania. The law of the Republic of Lithuania related to legal residence of foreigners in Lithuania was changed from 1 January 2017.

It is more expensive and difficult to obtain temporary residence permit, but at the same time law became also stricter in other European countries, therefore, Lithuania still remains attractive option for people wishing to connect their life with the Europe and European values.

Geopolitical situation in the CIS countries significantly changed and life requires changes, amendment of residence. Lithuania is a quiet and calm haven where you shall be able to change your destiny.

On behalf of one UAB, the residence permit can receive up to 3 participants.

If one or 2 foreigners (not UE citizens) wish to work (without the permit of the Labour Exchange) in Lithuanian company, they should have to register a new Ltd. or to purchase already registered company with the authorised capital amounting to not less than EUR 29.000. The authorised capital shall be divided between all shareholders – foreigners by EUR 14.500. Shareholder’s equity shall be a column of balance sheet consisting of the authorised capital increased by income or reduced by loss. In order to extend temporary residence permit, this column of balance sheet has to reveal EUR 28.000 each year regardless of number of foreigners incorporated the company. Upon registration of the company, at least one Lithuanian citizen should be employed and his salary should be 1680 Eur. per month ( 2 average statistical salaries) or a person who has lithuanian permanent residence permit should be employed for entire 8 hours duration working day.

If 3 foreigners (not the UE citizens) wish to work (without the permit of the Labour Exchange) in Lithuanian company and to obtain the temporary residence permit, they should have to register or to purchase Ltd. with the authorised capital amounting to EUR 43.443. The share of each shareholder in the authorised capital shall amount to EUR 14.500. Shareholder’s equity shall be a column of balance sheet consisting of the authorised capital increased by income or reduced by loss. In order to extend temporary residence permit, this column of balance sheet has to reveal EUR 28.000 each year. Upon registration of the company, at least one Lithuanian citizen should be employed and his salary should be 1680 Eur. per month ( 2 average statistical salaries) or a person who has lithuanian permanent residence permit should be employed for entire 8 hours duration working day.

If such company is incorporated by foreign shareholders, the maximum number of shareholders cannot exceed three persons.

Temporary residence permit shall be given for 1 year and extended for 2 years.

Requirements for registration of company in Lithuania: 

• Copy of passport of all shareholders and the passport page where the record of permanent residence address of each shareholder in the country of origin or other country has been made;
• To indicate preferred types of activity;
• To indicate preferred name of company;
• To make prepayment of 50%;
• Power of attorney (if company is registered by power of attorney).

Work permit shall entitle to obtain temporary residence permit! If a new company is registered, submission of documents for obtaining temporary residence permit (valid for one year) shall be allowed on condition that Ltd. was operated not less than 6 months and there are documents confirming it’s operation. If a company which operated (more than 6 months) is purchased and there are documents confirming it’s operation (invoices, agreements, payments and other), documents for obtaining temporary residence permit may be submitted also only after 6 month

Extension of temporary residence permit in Lithuania

Company shall have to operate profitably in order to obtain temporary residence permit. The Migration Department shall verify the company activity by its balance sheet, shall apply for submission of agreements and invoices, statement of account.

We would like to note that if one of family members (husband or wife) obtains the temporary residence permit, another spouse with underage children can also  immediately submit documents for TRP.

Temporary residence permit shall be given for 1 year and extended for 2 years.

If foreigner invests not less than EUR 260.658 into own capital (assets) of company and employs 5 Lithuanian citizens (or persons who obtained the permanent residence permit in Lithuania) for entire working day, he/she shall be given the temporary residence permit for 3 years with the right to extend it for 3 years.

The most think that obtaining temporary residence permit on the basis of sole proprietorship is cheaper option than on the basis of Ltd., but it is not so.

Obtaining residence permit on the basis of sole proprietorship you have to know:

1. Sole proprietorship may not be registered if you have the sole proprietorship in your country of citizenship.
2. Only one foreigner shall be allowed to obtain the temporary residence permit on behalf of sole proprietorship. If one of family members (husband or wife) obtains the temporary residence permit, another spouse with underage children can also  immediately submit documents for TRP.
3. Sole proprietorship may not be sold, only closed.
4. Taxes not less than in Ltd.

In such company only one foreigner (not UE citizen) shall be allowed to work, this shall be a company owner. Upon registration of the company, at least one Lithuanian citizen should be employed and his salary should be 1680 Eur. per month ( 2 average statistical salaries) or a person who has lithuanian permanent residence permit should be employed for entire 8 hours duration working day. Foreign owner’s equity shall amount EUR 29.000.

Customer shall have to present certificate on the personal account balance not less than EUR EUR 4.600 before the submission of the documents for obtaining the temporary residence permit. Temporary residence permit shall be given for 1 year and extended for 2 years.

In order to obtain the work permit in the Labour Exchange on this basis, employer of Lithuanian company shall have to notice the Labour Exchange before 1 month of the vacancy and the intention to employ employee.

If the employee rejects all proposals of the Labour Exchange for the employment local employees within one month, the employee may propose own candidate of employee-foreigner who shall require temporary residence permit in Lithuania in future.

For obtaining work permit in Lithuania foreigner shall have to:

1. Fill in application in the established form;
2. Submit valid foreign passport;
3. Diploma or other document confirming employee’s qualification;
4. Decision of the Study Quality Assessment Centre;
5. Decision of authority competent for recognition of professional qualification;
6. Document confirming 1 year work experience according to due professional qualification for the previous 2 years;
7. Application of employer.

Work permit may be obtained for 1 or 2 years with the right to extend it for additional term.

Submitted documents should bear apostille, copies should be certified by Notary Public and affixed with apostille, translated into Lithuanian.

The following documents shall be required:

1. Copy of passport and the passport page where the record of permanent residence address in the country of origin or other country has been made;
2. Passport of first degree relative;
3. Document confirming family relations (marriage or birth certificate). If the document is issued in other country than Lithuania, it should be translated into Lithuanian and affixed with apostille;
4. Document confirming that foreigner shall have funds for the residence in Lithuania;
5. Consent of apartment owner for residence or registration of residence of foreigner at his/her address;
6. Photography of foreigner.

This option is very convenient for businessmen who cannot find proper employees for performance of work in Lithuania (e.g. construction) among local employees, but they have such ones in own company and the country of permanent residence..

For obtaining temporary residence permit on this basis, the following documents shall be required:

1. Filled in application in the established form;
2. Contract to perform work or provide services concluded between Lithuanian and foreign company which shall send its employees on business trip;
3. Certificate or extract on registration of foreign company from the register of that country;
4. Description of existing project containing detailed explanation of the need of Lithuanian company for services of foreign company for implementation of it’s targets and the purposes of arrival of foreign employees;
5. Valid passport of foreigner;
6. Labour contract of foreigner employed in foreign company;
7. Certificate of competent social insurance authority of foreign country providing that foreigner is covered by social insurance in the country where he/she is employed. If foreign authority does not issue such document, director of foreign company shall have to issue certificate providing that foreigner is covered with social insurance. It is also required to submit certificate of competent authority providing that the company which is going to send its employees on business trip has no debt to the state;
8. Diploma or other document of foreign employee confirming his/her qualification.

Submitted documents should be legalised by the established procedure if it is required by laws and translated into Lithuanian. Copies of documents should be confirmed by signature and seal of company director.

Work permit shall be issued for 1 or 2 years and extended for not more than 1 year. Work permit shall be issued after 14 days from the date of submission of all required documents to the Labour Exchange.

Documents have to be submitted:

1. Filled in application in the established form;
2. Valid passport of foreigner;
3. Diploma or other document confirming qualification of foreign trainee;
4. Decision of the Study Quality Assessment Centre;
5. Decision of authority competent for recognition of professional qualification;
6. Certificate issued by higher school confirming that foreigner really studies in that school (should be submitted if foreigner has been studying yet);
7. Certificate issued by employer of supposed workplace providing the level of language spoken by foreigner and brief assessment of thereof. Data on average wage of employee and whether the company employs more employees in the same position.

ИForeigner who wishes to employ and obtain the temporary residence permit as trainee or apprentice should fulfil the following requirements:

1. To be at least 18 years old and not older than 30 years old.
2. To acquire higher education or to study in higher school.
3. To aim at deepening knowledge of Lithuanian language or own professional competence or to acquire additional knowledge.

Submitted documents should be legalised by the established procedure if it is required by laws and translated into Lithuanian. Copies of documents should be confirmed by signature and seal of company director.