Things Every International Student Should Know Before Starting at Vilnius University

Starting your studies at Vilnius University (VU) is an exciting step, and a little preparation in advance can make your arrival much smoother. Make sure you have all the necessary documents ready, your accommodation arranged, and that you are familiar with the key integration events designed to help you settle in. 

Check what documents you need

As an international student coming to study at VU, you need to ensure you have the appropriate immigration documents based on your citizenship and the length of your stay in the Republic of Lithuania. This may be a visa, a residence permit, or a certificate of temporary residence.

If you are from the European Union (EU), you can enter and stay in Lithuania for up to three months from your arrival date. The same applies if you are from European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you need to register with the Migration Department within three months of arriving, obtain a Certificate of Temporary Residence, and declare where you live in Lithuania.

If you are from a non-EU/EFTA country, you need a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for study purposes. This is usually issued for 1–2 years, or up to 3 years for PhD students, and it can be extended for the full duration of your studies.

You can submit your application for a residence permit either before arrival, through an external service provider such as VFS Global, or at a Migration Department office once you have arrived, provided you are still legally staying in Lithuania at the time of application.

If you are an exchange student from a non-EU/EFTA country, you need a national D-type visa. However, if you already have a valid residence permit or study visa issued by another EU country, you can study in Lithuania without a Lithuanian visa for up to 360 days.

You can submit applications for a national visa online through MIGRIS – the Lithuanian Migration Information System. You can also complete the application before arriving in Lithuania via an external service provider, or at a Migration Department office after arrival, as long as you are legally staying in the country.

For more information about the required documents or useful links, please see here.

Where to live

Securing a place to live before you arrive is one of the most important steps when preparing for your studies. Living with other international students can also be a great way to enjoy a more social and international experience. There are several accommodation options available for VU students: university dormitories in Vilnius, Kaunas, or Šiauliai, co-living spaces, or private apartment rentals.

Student dormitories in Vilnius are located on Saulėtekio, Olandų, and Didlaukio Streets. They are relatively close to the university faculties; travel time to a specific faculty or other location may vary depending on traffic and your destination. More information about prices and other details can be found here.

At the VU Kaunas Faculty, there is no on-campus accommodation, but students can stay in dormitories offered by other higher education institutions in the city. These are located on Taikos Avenue and Jonavos Street. More information about prices and other details can be found here.

If you are a student at the VU Šiauliai Academy, you can live in the dormitories near the academic campus or in the city centre. More information about prices and other details can be found here.

Co-living spaces are a great option for meeting students from different countries, building a sense of community, and enjoying a more social international experience while living in Vilnius. They can also help you reduce living costs compared to renting a private apartment. However, you should also consider possible communication differences, varying lifestyles, and limited privacy. You can explore a few co-living space options here.

If you prefer more privacy, renting a private apartment may be the best choice. This option offers greater independence and flexibility, allowing you to choose your preferred location, whether you want to live alone or with friends. Trusted rental websites include Aruodas.lt and Domoplius.lt.

How to get around

You can reach Lithuania by plane, train, or bus. Vilnius and Kaunas have international airports. The closest airports to Šiauliai are in Riga (Latvia), Palanga, Kaunas, and Vilnius.

Public transport provides an easy and convenient way to get around the city. To help you navigate Vilnius, Kaunas, or Šiauliai, you can use the Trafi mobile app (available on Google Play and the App Store). It provides real-time public transport tracking and journey planning. The app also makes it easy to purchase and store your tickets, and it works across all major cities in Lithuania.

More information about how to get around using public transport in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Šiauliai can be found here.

More than just studies

Arriving in a new country may feel a bit daunting at first. However, VU aims to make your integration into the community as smooth as possible for every student, and therefore organises an Orientation Day at the beginning of each semester.

During the Orientation Days, you will have the opportunity to attend a welcome event featuring various speakers, meet your faculty coordinators, and take part in a range of interactive activities designed to help you connect with both Lithuanian and international students.

The academic year in Lithuania always kicks off on 1 September. And at Vilnius University, that means one thing – the parade. All members of the community are invited to take part in the entertaining and vibrant procession, so prepare your placards, warm up your vocal cords, and be ready to chant your faculty’s slogans while competing to wear the most eye-catching outfits.  

After this day, your academic journey begins. However, life at VU is not just about studies, lecture halls, classes, or exams. There is a wide range of leisure activities, sports, volunteering options, and other ways to make the most of your time and enrich your student journey. Read more about them here, and get involved! To help you along the way, VU also has student mentors who can support you in navigating university life and answer any questions you may have.