Lithuania to Strengthen Residence Permit Application Regulations Starting in December
Key Takeaways
1. Lithuania is implementing new regulations for residence permit applicants abroad, effective December 1, 2024.
2. Certain applicants without access to external service offices will need to apply at branches in other countries, particularly affecting those from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Jordan, and Lebanon.
3. The new changes will not apply to applicants from countries such as India, Australia, and Japan.
In an effort to enhance immigration control, Lithuanian authorities have announced stricter rules for residence permit applications, which will impact thousands of foreigners looking to reside in the Baltic nation.
According to a press release from the Lithuanian Interior Ministry, starting December 1, 2024, only applicants from countries with external service providers will be able to submit their applications for residence permits in Lithuania. For instance, Indian nationals will be permitted to apply only through the designated external service provider in India.
This decision reflects the government's focus on contemporary migration trends and potential security threats. "Migration policy must align with national security interests, foreign policy objectives, labor market demands, and our institutional capacities," stated Agnė Bilotaitė, Lithuania’s Interior Minister.
In 2024, Lithuania closed four external service provider offices located in Lebanon, Jordan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, indicating that applicants from these nations will be directly affected by the new measures.
Categories Exempt from the New Rules
The new requirement primarily affects applicants from countries without an external service provider office. However, individuals seeking residence permits in the following categories may still apply at branches in other countries:
- Family reunification applicants
- Highly skilled job applicants
- Individuals with study invitations from Lithuanian universities, including doctoral candidates
- Those transferring jobs to local institutions, such as teachers or researchers, or visiting large investors
- Participants in collective relocations under Lithuania’s Investment Law
Nepal Service Provider Branch Transition
While the external service provider office in Nepal is set to close, applicants who submitted their residence permit applications before September 1, 2024, can still make appointments at that branch until December 31, 2024. They will be able to collect their documents after January 2025. This branch was closed earlier due to national security concerns.
No Changes for Citizens of Certain Countries
Lithuanian authorities clarified that citizens from India, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea can continue to submit their residence permit applications as usual, with no changes to the process. However, those without an external service office may still apply for national visas in other countries, except for positions such as posted employees or seasonal workers in Lithuania.
Following the closure of four outsourcing offices, the total number of such branches has decreased from 34 to 30.