Republic of Lithuania visas
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.
7 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 6 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Migration Department ↗ · Migration Department (Ministry of the Interior, Lithuania)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Lithuanian Bar Association (LAT) — Professional body of advocates in Lithuania. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Visa routes (7)
Temporary Residence Permit for Employment (Lithuania)
If you have a Lithuanian job offer, this is the main route - a temporary residence permit for work, with a faster, quota-free lane for highly qualified roles.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
EU Blue Card (Lithuania)
If you are a highly qualified professional with a Lithuanian job offer at the required salary, the EU Blue Card is a recognised route with EU-wide mobility.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Startup Visa (Lithuania)
If you are a non-EU founder with an innovative business idea, Lithuania's Startup Visa is a fast route to residence to build your company.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Temporary Residence for Business or Self-Employment (Lithuania)
If you set up or run your own company in Lithuania, this route gives you residence tied to that genuine business activity.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Temporary Residence for Family Reunification (Lithuania)
If a close family member lives lawfully in Lithuania, this route lets you join them and build toward settlement together.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Temporary Residence for Study (Lithuania)
If you have been admitted to a Lithuanian university or college, this residence permit lets you live in Lithuania for the length of your studies.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Permanent Residence / EU Long-Term Resident Status (Lithuania)
If you have lived in Lithuania lawfully for five years, this is your settlement status - EU long-term resident rights and a stepping stone toward citizenship.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Lithuania have?+
We cover 7 Republic of Lithuania visa routes across the work, study, family, business, and residence categories. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Lithuania visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 7 Republic of Lithuania routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 3 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Lithuania visas lead to permanent residence?+
6 of the 7 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
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