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 11 July 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 11 July 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 11 July 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 12 July 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 11 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Lithuania have?+
We cover 7 Republic of Lithuania visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, skilled migration, entrepreneur, family, study, and general residence. 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.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Lithuania