Republic of Lithuania · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement
Startup Visa (Lithuania)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
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.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - the business-idea evaluation is processed quickly, in roughly fifteen working days, before the residence step; confirm current processing on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - state fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Commonly issued for one year first and extendable while the startup progresses - confirm current validity on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
The Startup Visa is a Lithuanian government route for non-EU entrepreneurs launching innovative, scalable businesses, typically in technology. An expert panel assesses your idea, and on a positive evaluation you receive a temporary residence permit to set up and run the company in Lithuania. Good to know: this route is known for being fast - the evaluation of your business idea is processed in roughly fifteen working days - and it does not require you to put up a large fixed capital sum in the way an ordinary company route can. Lawful time on it counts toward EU long-term residence.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You are a non-EU national with an innovative, scalable business idea, typically in technology.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
- ✓Your business idea passes evaluation by the designated expert panel.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
- ✓You intend to set up and actively run the startup in Lithuania.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
- ✓You hold a valid passport and can show means of support and health insurance.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
Common blockers
- !A business idea that is not genuinely innovative or scalable.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
- !A negative evaluation from the expert panel.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
- !Treating the route as passive - it requires you to actively build the company.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and a recent photograph meeting the official format.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
- ·A description of the innovative business idea and plan for the panel.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
- ·Proof of means of support during the startup phase.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
- ·Proof of accommodation and valid health insurance.Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your idea is innovative and scalable and prepare it for the expert-panel evaluation.
Build the evidence pack
Submit the business idea for evaluation, which is processed quickly, and gather your supporting documents.
Submit through the official channel
On a positive evaluation, apply through MIGRIS for the startup residence permit and pay the fees.
After approval
Build the company in Lithuania, extend while it progresses, and track time toward EU long-term residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Startup Visa (Lithuania) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Startup Visa (Lithuania).
Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior (Lithuania) · verified
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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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How fast is the Startup Visa?+
The evaluation of your business idea is processed quickly - in roughly fifteen working days - which makes this one of Lithuania's faster founder routes. Confirm the current timeline on the official page.
Do I need a lot of capital?+
The Startup Visa is built around an innovative idea assessed by an expert panel rather than a large fixed capital sum, unlike an ordinary company route. Confirm the current requirements on the official page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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