Consulate General of

the Republic of Lithuania

in New York

Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York

420 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018. Tel. (212) 354-7840, fax (212) 354-7911

Residence Permits

An alien intending to live in 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 grants 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.

A non-EU Member State national who applies for a residence permit for the first time shall submit an application to the Consulate General in person or through a representative with power of attroney. An alien’s application is processed within six months from the date of receipt of the application. A national of an EU Member State, shall submit an application for EC residence permit in Lithuania (to the Migration Office in the intended place of residence), and the application is  is processed within one month from the date of receipt of the application.

An alien, who is not a national of an EU Member State and intends to work, will be issued a temporary residence permit for one year.

The travel document of the applicant has to be valid for at least three months after the expiration date of the temporoary residence permit.

Grounds for issuance of a temporary residence permit

A temporary residence permit may be issued to an alien if:

• an alien has retained his right to citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania or is a person of Lithuanian descent. An Alien, who is not a national of an EU Member State, should produce documents confirming retention of the right to citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania or his/her Lithuanian descent. The temporary residence permit shall be issued to him/her for a five years period;

• in case of family reunification if:

• alien’s spouse is residing in the Republic of Lithuania; - alien’s parents (adoptive parents) who are incapable to work due to pensionable age or disability are citizens of the Republic of Lithuania or are in possession of a permanent residence permit are residing in the Republic of Lithuania;

• alien’s children (adopted children) who are citizens of the Republic of Lithuania are residing in the Republic of Lithuania. An alien, who is not a national of the EU Member State, shall be issued a residence permit for a period of one-year provided he produces documents confirming the family relationship. EU Member State national shall be issued an EC residence permit for up to a five years period on the same grounds;

• an alien intends to take up employment in the Republic of Lithuania. A national of non-EU Member State must obtain a work permit, issued by Lithuanian Labour Exchange at the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (or can be relieved from the obligation to obtain a work permit under procedures set in the legislation).

• an alien who intends to get education in the Republic of Lithuania shall be issued a temporary residence permit or an EC residence permit for the one study year provided he/she produces mediatory writing, confirmation of admittance to studies or improvement of qualification in the educational institution registered in the Republic of Lithuania. A national of non-EU Member State shall have no right to work during the study period.

An alien in possession of a temporary residence permit, issued on the grounds of family reunification is not obliged to obtain a work permit – such an alien can work in Lithuania without any additional permit. An alien, who is not a national of an EU Member State and intends to work, shall be issued a temporary residence permit for one year. A person employed under the employment contract or intending to engage in lawful activities or to receive services in the Republic of Lithuania shall be relieved from the obligation to be in possession of an EC residence permit if the person intends to stay in the Republic of Lithuania for a period not exceeding three months in any calendar half-year from the first day of entry into the Republic of Lithuania. Nationals of EU Member States intending to work in the Republic of Lithuania under an employment contract shall not be required to obtain a work permit. The EC residence permit is issued for a period of duration of activities, but no longer than five years.

Documents to be submitted for for issuance of a temporary residence permit

• application ;

• one photo;

• passport (or other valid travel document) and its copy;

• copy of birth certificate - if applying on grounds of family links;

• copy of marriage certificate - in case of family reunion;

• copies of child's birth certificates - if child will be residing in Lithuania;

• child's travel document (passport);

• documents proving the right to be granted residence;

• document proving sufficient funds;

• document proving availability of accommodation for an alien during the period of temporary residence (lease agreement, real estate ownership documents, written commitment of a resident of Lithuania or a legal entity to provide accommodation);

• health insurance (to be presented upon receiving the decision of the Migration Department regarding temporary residence);

• consular fee.

Upon arrival to Lithuania (after approval of the Migration Department has been granted) the applicant has to pay the fee for the residence permit.

• Application for temporary residence

• How to fill out the application

 Links

• Law on the Legal Status of Aliens

• Information of Ministry of Foreign Affairs on residence permits

E-mail: info@ltconsny.org. This site was last updated 03/26/2008