Lithuania Work Permit

An alien who intends to work legally in Lithuania must obtain a work permit and a national visa D.

An alien who wishes to work in Lithuania should first find an employer – Lithuanian company that would like to hire him/her. Once finding an employer, an alien shall apply on the issue of a work permit in the Republic of Lithuania and national visa D. 

Before submitting the documents for the issue of a work permit in Lithuania, the Labour Exchange of Lithuania must register a vacant position in the Lithuanian company. The vacant position shall be registered no less than 5 working days before the submission of documents for the issue of a work permit in Lithuania. During this period, citizens of Lithuania and permanent residents of Lithuania, meeting the employer's requirements, shall have the right to apply for the vacancy. If, during this period, the employer – Lithuanian company cannot find a suitable candidate for the vacancy, the alien may submit documents for the issue of a work permit in Lithuania to an alien.

The following basic requirements are set for an alien who intends to work in Lithuania:

1. An alien who intends to work in Lithuania shall have a qualification in an appropriate area, the qualification supporting documents (certificates on completion of courses, seminars, practical training, diplomas, etc.);

2. An alien must have at least 1 year of work experience within the last 2 years in an appropriate area and the supporting documents.

Place for the submission of documents for a work permit in Lithuania – a local labour exchange office.

In order to employ the alien under the employment contract, the following documents must be submitted to the Employment Service: 

An application; 

A copy of passport; 

Employer’s information on the alien’s qualification and at least one year of working experience according to his/her qualification within the last two years (the employer’s letter must contain the alien’s qualification, current and former workplaces, wherein the alien has worked under his/her qualification during the last 2 years, duration of working therein, and job title); 

The employer must make sure that the alien has documents approving his/her own qualification (diploma, certificate, etc.) and at least one year of working experience according to his/her qualification within the last two years (work book, certificate from the previous workplace). 

An obligation to employ the alien under the employment contract for a period not shorter than 6 (six) months and to pay the employee’s average wage, provided the company has more employees working the same job, for which a work permit of alien is being applied for; 

A copy of the payment order or a check for the issue of work permit. 

Foreign documents must be legalized or certified with an Apostille in accordance with the established procedure, unless otherwise provided for by other legislation. The translation into Lithuanian of documents drawn up not in Lithuanian must be confirmed by a signature of translator. Copies of documents must be approved by signature and stamp of the head of the company.

Time limits for the issuance of a work permit in Lithuania – up to 7 working days.

After the getting of a work permit in Lithuania, documents for the issue of a national visa D shall be submitted.

Place for the submission of documents for a national visa D – a diplomatic mission or a consular post of Lithuania abroad.

Time limits for the issuance of a national visa D – up to 15 days.

From 01 March 2019, new amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens regarding the issue of temporary residence permits for the aliens who arrive to work unqualified jobs under the employment contract have entered into force.

The aliens will no longer need to submit documents proving their qualificaton and working experience during the last two years. An obligation to submit documents confirming qualification shall remain only for highly skilled aliens who apply for the EU blue card.

If the alien’s profession is included into the list of the most in-demand professions in the Republic of Lithuania, then the alien or his/her employer must, together with an application to issue a residence permit, additionally submit the following:

- The mediation letter of the employer specifying information on the alien’s qualification, current and former workplaces, job position and duration therein, where the alien has worked according to his/her profession for the last 2 (two) years. The employer must ensure that the alien has documents approving his/her own qualification (diploma, certificate, etc.) and at least one year of working experience according to his/her qualification within the last two years. Moreover, the employer must submit an obligation to employ the alien under the employment contract for a period of at least 6 (six) months;

or: - the mediation letter of the employer described hereinbefore, and the employment contract concluded for the period of at least 6 months.