Republic of Korea vs Republic of Lithuania
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Republic of Korea
South Korea's immigration is administered by the Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice. The system uses letter-coded visa categories: E-series for employment (E-7 designated activities, E-2 teaching), D-series for study and investment (D-8 corporate investment, D-10 job-seeking), and F-series for residence (F-2 points-based, F-5 permanent residence). Korea introduced a points-based F-2-7 system to attract skilled foreign professionals.
- Official portal
- Korea Immigration Service
- Languages
- Korean
- Currency
- South Korean won
Republic of Lithuania
Lithuania - an EU and Schengen member - administers third-country residence through the Migration Department. Headline routes include the temporary residence permit for employment (highly-qualified workers are processed outside the annual quota), the EU Blue Card, a fast Startup Visa, business and family routes, and EU long-term residence after five years. A 2025 reform cut quotas and prioritised highly-qualified workers; there is no dedicated digital-nomad visa.
- Official portal
- Migration Department (Ministry of the Interior, Lithuania)
- Languages
- Lithuanian
- Currency
- Euro
How Republic of Korea and Republic of Lithuania differ
| Dimension | Republic of Korea | Republic of Lithuania |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 5 | 7 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 3 | 4 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 3 | 6 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | E-7 Designated Activities Visa | Temporary Residence Permit for Employment (Lithuania) |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Korean | Lithuanian |
| Currency | South Korean won | Euro |
| Primary regulator | KBA | LAT |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Routes unique to Republic of Lithuania
Visa routes side by side
Republic of Korea (5)
E-7 Designated Activities Visa
Sponsor · To settlement · 1–3 years; renewable.
F-2-7 Points-Based Long-Term Residence
No sponsor · To settlement · 3 years; renewable.
D-8 Corporate Investment Visa
No sponsor · To settlement · 1–2 years; renewable as long as the business operates.
Student Visa (D-2)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Duration of programme; renewed annually.
F-1 Family Visitation / F-3 Dependent Family
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Tied to the sponsoring family member's visa status.
Republic of Lithuania (7)
Temporary Residence Permit for Employment (Lithuania)
Sponsor · To settlement · Commonly issued for up to two years, and up to three years for highly qualified workers, renewable while you keep the job - confirm current validity on the official page.
EU Blue Card (Lithuania)
Sponsor · To settlement · Commonly issued for up to about three years where the contract allows, and renewable - confirm current validity on the official page.
Startup Visa (Lithuania)
No sponsor · To settlement · Commonly issued for one year first and extendable while the startup progresses - confirm current validity on the official page.
Temporary Residence for Business or Self-Employment (Lithuania)
No sponsor · To settlement · Commonly issued for up to two years and renewable while the business stays genuine and active - confirm current validity on the official page.
Temporary Residence for Family Reunification (Lithuania)
Sponsor · To settlement · Generally aligned to the sponsor's permit and renewable - confirm current validity on the official page.
Temporary Residence for Study (Lithuania)
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Tied to your course and renewable while you stay enrolled - confirm current validity on the official page.
Permanent Residence / EU Long-Term Resident Status (Lithuania)
No sponsor · To settlement · Longer-term status, subject to conditions on continued residence - confirm current rules on the official page.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Republic of Korea or Republic of Lithuania?+
Republic of Korea’s E-7 Designated Activities Visa is the dominant skilled route; Republic of Lithuania’s Temporary Residence Permit for Employment (Lithuania) is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Does Republic of Korea or Republic of Lithuania have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Republic of Lithuania has more: 4 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 3 for Republic of Korea. No-sponsor routes — such as digital-nomad, self-employment, and points-based skilled migration — matter most if you do not yet have a job offer.