LITHUANIA

Lithuania is a European Union country offering employment opportunities for international workers in sectors such as information technology, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, construction, healthcare and other skilled occupations. Indian citizens who plan to work in Lithuania must obtain the appropriate immigration and work authorization before starting employment.

For most long-term employment situations, the main immigration route is a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for employment. Depending on the type of employment and the applicant’s circumstances, additional requirements may apply, including procedures involving the Lithuanian employer and the Employment Service.

Types of Lithuania Work Authorization

Authorization	For Whom	Purpose	Key Requirement
Temporary Residence Permit for Employment	Foreign nationals taking up qualifying employment in Lithuania	Allows eligible foreign workers to legally reside and work in Lithuania for the approved period	Employment with a Lithuanian employer + required immigration documents
EU Blue Card	Highly qualified non-EU professionals	Residence and employment in Lithuania for eligible highly qualified positions	Higher professional qualification or qualifying experience + employment meeting Blue Card requirements
Seasonal Work Permit	Foreign nationals undertaking eligible seasonal employment	Allows employment for approved seasonal work	Eligible seasonal job + employer and Employment Service requirements
National Visa (D)	Foreign nationals who meet the requirements for a long-stay visa	Allows long-term entry/stay for eligible purposes where a national visa is applicable	Valid purpose of stay + required supporting documents

Important

A Temporary Residence Permit and a National Visa are not the same. For regular long-term employment, foreign workers generally need the appropriate temporary residence authorization rather than relying on a short-stay Schengen visa.

The exact authorization and procedure depend on the applicant’s job, qualifications, employer, duration of employment and applicable Lithuanian immigration rules.

Step-by-Step Lithuania Work Visa Process

1. Get a Job Offer From a Lithuanian Employer

The first step is to obtain a genuine job offer or employment contract from a company operating in Lithuania.

The position, salary, working conditions and other employment details should comply with Lithuanian requirements for employing foreign nationals.

2. Employer Completes the Required Employment Formalities

The Lithuanian employer must complete the applicable procedures for employing a foreign national.

Depending on the occupation and immigration route, the employer may need to provide information to the Lithuanian authorities and/or obtain the required decision or approval from the Employment Service of Lithuania.

The requirements can differ depending on the employee’s position and residence-permit category.

3. Prepare the Required Documents

Common documents may include:

• Valid passport

• Employment contract or employer documentation

• Proof of professional qualifications, where required

• Educational certificates, where applicable

• Evidence of relevant work experience, where required

• Proof of accommodation or declared residence, where applicable

• Health insurance, where required

• Passport-size photograph and biometric data

• Documents relating to the employer and employment

• Other documents requested by the Lithuanian Migration Department

Documents issued in India may need to be properly legalized or apostilled and translated into Lithuanian, depending on the document and the requirements of the Lithuanian authorities.

4. Apply for the Temporary Residence Permit

The applicant submits the appropriate residence-permit application through the Lithuanian migration system and completes the required identity and biometric procedures.

The Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania is responsible for processing residence-permit applications.

5. Application Review

The Lithuanian authorities review the application, employment information and supporting documents.

They may verify:

• Applicant’s identity

• Employment information

• Employer details

• Qualifications and work experience

• Immigration history

• Required supporting documents

Additional documents or information may be requested if necessary.

6. Receive the Residence Permit Decision

Once the application is approved, the applicant receives information regarding the issuance of the temporary residence permit.

The applicant should wait for the required authorization before commencing employment in Lithuania.

7. Travel to Lithuania

After receiving the appropriate authorization and completing the applicable entry requirements, the applicant can travel to Lithuania.

The applicant should carry the passport and relevant immigration documents while travelling.

8. Start Employment Legally

After completing the required residence and employment formalities, the applicant can begin working for the approved Lithuanian employer in accordance with the conditions of the authorization.

The worker should not start employment in Lithuania without having the required legal authorization.

Lithuania Work Visa Processing Time

Processing times depend on the type of application and the procedure selected.

For a Temporary Residence Permit, Lithuania provides different processing procedures, including a general procedure and an urgent procedure. The applicable processing period can depend on the specific application and current requirements.

Application	Processing
Temporary Residence Permit – General Procedure	Up to 3 months
Temporary Residence Permit – Urgent Procedure	Up to 1.5 months
Additional verification / documents	May extend the overall process

Processing times are not guaranteed and can change depending on the application, document verification and workload of the Lithuanian authorities.

Important Information for Indian Applicants

Before applying for employment in Lithuania, applicants should:

• Obtain a genuine job offer from a Lithuanian employer.

• Verify the employer and employment contract.

• Determine which residence and work authorization applies to the specific job.

• Keep educational and professional documents ready.

• Complete required document legalization or apostille procedures where applicable.

• Arrange certified translations when required.

• Provide accurate information throughout the application.

• Follow the instructions of the Lithuanian Migration Department.

• Do not begin employment before receiving the authorization required for the position.

Immigration and employment requirements can change. Final eligibility, documentation and processing decisions are determined by the competent Lithuanian authorities. Applicants should verify the latest requirements before submitting an application.