International students have to apply for a visa or a residence permit depending on their citizenship and the length of their studies at Vilnius University.
DEGREE STUDIES
For EU/EFTA citizens
Citizens of the European Union (EU) may enter the Republic of Lithuania and stay there in for a period not exceeding three months starting from the first day of entry into the Republic of Lithuania. The same right is vested to the citizens of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Member States (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein).
All full-time students coming to study in Lithuania for more than 90 days are required to register with the Migration Department within three months from the date of entering Lithuania. They must obtain a certificate of temporary residence in the Republic of Lithuania and declare their place of residence.
To register with the Migration Department, you have to complete an online application form and upload the following documents:
- Valid travel document (passport or ID card);
- Proofs of sufficient means of support (at least 128.00 EUR per month);
- European Health Insurance Card (or Private Health Insurance);
- Certificate of Student Status ("pažyma apie studijas" can be ordered through your VU IS eStudent application, original or signed electronically);
- Commitment to declare the place of residence;
- State fee in the amount of 8.60 EUR (payment code 5740).
You have an obligation to declare your place of residence (address) in Lithuania by choosing one of the following options:
- upon arrival to the Migration Department at the pre-booked time of your visit for submitting the originals of the documents attached to the application for issue of a temporary residence certificate and your biometric data. You will need to provide one of the following documents:
- at eldership or municipality within 1 month after collection of the temporary residence certificate. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Copy of the temporary residence permit (from both sides).
- Proof of accommodation (rental agreement, confirmation from the hotel, dormitory, etc.).
- Completed and signed declaration form.
Please note that administrative liability may be applied for non-compliance with the requirement to declare residence in Lithuania.
You can be insured with the Compulsory Health Insurance by the Government of Lithuania only after your temporary residence certificate is provided to the university administration (faculty administration or IRO).
For Non-EU/EFTA citizens
Before Arrival
All international students from Non- EU/EFTA countries coming for studies to Lithuania are required to get a multiple entry national visa (D).
The application documents for the issue of national visa (D) should be submitted to the closest Embassy, Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post of the Republic of Lithuania before arrival. The decision to issue a national visa shall be made within 15-45 days after the receipt of visa application.
Important:
! You cannot obtain a national visa (D) upon arrival in Lithuania.
! A multiple entry national visa (D) can be issued for the period not exceeding one year (new visa for the next 12 months can be issued not earlier than 180 days after the expiration of the last visa or the total validity period of all visas you had).
! If you have a national visa (D) for your studies, you are NOT allowed to work during your studies (only after obtaining a temporary residence permit).
! Only doctoral students (residence permit holders) can bring their family to Lithuania.
According to the Lithuanian law on privacy the embassy is not allowed to communicate with a third party (e.g. University) about a visa application or a refusal reason.
The necessary documents to be submitted to the nearest Lithuanian Embassy for a multiple entry national visa (D):
- Completed application for issuing the national visa in the established format (printed and signed by the applicant);
- One colour passport photo (35×45 mm with light colour background, no older than 6 months);
- Valid passport (its copy and copy of all stamped pages):
- Its validity period being at least three months longer than the validity period of the requested visa;
- It shall contain at least two blank pages;
- It shall have been issued within the previous 10 years.
- Proofs of sufficient amount of funds for subsistence (at least 365 EUR per month + 730 EUR for the return to the state of origin);
- Health insurance
- Covering the entire period of intended stay.
- Valid in all participant states of the Schengen Area.
- The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30 000.
- Number of Mediation Letter from Vilnius University to issue a national visa (D) (Request form) ;
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- Consular fee: 60.00–120.00 EUR.
Note 1: Supporting documents that are in a language other than Lithuanian or English must be accompanied by an official translation of the original document, or of a certified copy of the original document in Lithuanian or English.
Note 2: The Embassy/ Consulate reserves the right to request additional information/ documentation and if deemed necessary, to interview the applicant. For detailed information on all visa requirements, it is advisable to visit the website of the
Embassy/Consulate of the Republic of Lithuanian.
Note 3: A national visa (D), as well as a temporary residence permit, allows students to travel via Schengen area countries for 3 months in each period of 6 months.
After Arrival
If you are coming for degree studies and intend to study at Vilnius University for more than one year, you have to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) to stay in Lithuania. This permit may be issued for a maximum period of 2 years and can be renewed later, but it cannot exceed the period of study.
The application must be submitted after your arrival in Lithuania or after the first semester spent at Vilnius University, but no later than 4 months before the expiration of your visa.
The decision to issue a TRP shall be made:
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within 3 months (in general order) or within 45 days (in urgent order) after the application for the issuance of the new TRP is submitted to the Territorial division of the Migration Department.
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within 2 months (in general order) or within 1 month (in urgent order) after the application for the extension of the TRP is submitted to the Territorial division of the Migration Department.
To obtain the TRP you have to complete an online application form and upload the following documents:
- Valid Travel document (passport);
- Document confirming the legal stay (e.g., valid visa, TRP);
- Proofs of sufficient amount of funds for subsistence (at least 365 EUR per month/ 4380 EUR per year);
- Health insurance (the insurance amount comprises 6000 EUR);
- Document concerning the place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania;
- Commitment to declare the place of residence;
- Certificate of Non-Criminal Record/ Police Clearance certificate (NOT required for TRP extension);
- Number of Mediation Letter (Request form);
- State fee in the amount of 120.00 EUR (in general order) / 240.00 EUR (in urgent order).
You can choose a convenient date and time from the calendar available after submitting an online application to visit the migration division to submit your biometric data, as well as original documents.
Note1: The health insurance, the bank account statement (in EUR or USD) and the certificate of non-criminal record/PCC may be issued in English or Lithuanian. All other documents must be in Lithuanian.
Note3: The decision does not grant the right to be within the Republic of Lithuania without a visa or exceed the period of visa-free stay!
You have an obligation to declare your place of residence (address) in Lithuania by choosing one of the following options:
- upon arrival to the Migration Department at the pre-booked time of your visit for submitting the originals of the documents attached to the application for the issue of a temporary residence certificate and your biometric data. You will need to provide one of the following documents:
- at eldership or municipality within 1 month after collection of the temporary residence permit. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Copy of the temporary residence permit (from both sides).
- Proof of accommodation (rental agreement, confirmation from the hotel, dormitory, etc.).
- Completed and signed declaration form.
Please note that administrative liability may be applied for non-compliance with the requirement to declare residence in Lithuania.
The TRP application can be rejected if:
- You have collected less than 40 ECTS credits during the last academic year. The Migration Department can reject your application if you cannot provide a valid reason (e.g. sickness, death of a family member/relative or other) along with the supporting documents.
- You have financial debts to Lithuanian state institutions (SODRA, VMI, and etc).
- You did not provide all the necessary documents, the documents are not properly prepared (no translation, no Apostille, etc.).
- Your place of residence is not declared (when applying for a TRP extension).
Your TRP will be revoked within a few weeks if your studies are suspended, you go on academic leave or your study agreement is terminated. You have to go back to your home country. You will be able to apply for a new national visa and return to Lithuania as soon as your student status is regained.
After Graduation
When applying for the last TRP for the study purpose, it is usually issued by the Migration Department for a period of three months longer than the period of study.
After graduation, you also have the right to obtain the TRP for 12 additional months in order to look for a job in Lithuania and self-employment purposes.
To obtain this TRP you have to complete an online application form and upload the following documents:
- Diploma instead of the mediation letter;
- Valid travel document (Passport);
- Valid temporary residence permit;
- Proofs of sufficient amount of subsistence funds (at least 730 EUR per month);
- Health Insurance (Minimum coverage amount – 6000 EUR. Must be valid till the expiration date of TRP);
- Document about a place of residence in the LR (place of residence declared for the whole period of requested TRP);
- State fee (120 EUR/within 2 months. 240 EUR/within 1 month).
Read more section “I am a foreigner who has completed studies in Lithuania or a researcher who has completed research and experimental development work”.
NOTE. Such a TRP is not issued to visa holders, only to holders of a valid study permit.
Republic of Lithuania Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners (Consolidated version valid as of 1 April 2022)
EXCHANGE STUDIES
For EU/EFTA exchange students
Citizens of the European Union (EU) may enter the Republic of Lithuania and stay there in for a period not exceeding three months starting from the first day of entry into the Republic of Lithuania. The same right is vested to the citizens of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Member States (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein).
All exchange students coming to study in Lithuania for more than 90 days are required to register with the Migration Department within three months from the date of entering Lithuania. They must obtain a certificate of temporary residence in the Republic of Lithuania and declare their place of residence.
To register with the Migration Department, you have to complete an online application form and upload the following documents:
- Valid travel document (passport or ID card);
- Proofs of sufficient means of support (at least 128.00 EUR per month);
- European Health Insurance Card (or Private Health Insurance);
- Certificate of Student Status (Request form);
- Commitment to declare the place of residence;
- State fee in the amount of 8.60 EUR (payment code 5740).
You have an obligation to declare your place of residence (address) in Lithuania by choosing one of the following options:
- upon arrival to the Migration Department at the pre-booked time of your visit for submitting the originals of the documents attached to the application for issue of a temporary residence certificate and your biometric data. You will need to provide one of the following documents:
- at eldership or municipality within 1 month after collection of the temporary residence certificate. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Copy of the temporary residence permit (from both sides).
- Proof of accommodation (rental agreement, confirmation from the hotel, dormitory, etc.).
- Completed and signed declaration form.
Please note that administrative liability may be applied for non-compliance with the requirement to declare residence in Lithuania.
For non-EU/EFTA exchange students
Non-degree students from non-EU/EFTA countries must get a national D-type visa before arrival.
If You have a valid residence permit or visa for the purpose of study issued by another EU country and come to Lithuania for an exchange programme, you can stay and study here without a visa up to 360 days.
The necessary documents to be submitted to the nearest Lithuanian Embassy for a multiple entry national visa (D):
- Application for issuing the national visa in the established format (fully completed and signed by the applicant);
- One colour passport photo (35×45 mm with light colour background, no older than 6 months);
- Valid passport (its copy and copy of all stamped pages):
- Its validity period being at least three months longer than the validity period of the requested visa;
- It shall contain at least two blank pages;
- It shall have been issued within the previous 10 years.
- Proofs of sufficient amount of funds for subsistence (at least 365.00 EUR per month + 730.00 EUR for the return to the state of origin);
- Health insurance
- Covering the entire period of intended stay.
- Valid in all participant states of the Schengen Area.
- The minimum coverage shall be 30 000.00 EUR.
- Number of Mediation Letter from Vilnius University to issue a national visa (D) (Request form);
- Letter of Acceptance;
- Consular fee for visa: 60.00–120.00 EUR.
Note 1: Supporting documents that are in a language other than Lithuanian or English must be accompanied by an official translation of the original document, or of a certified copy of the original document in Lithuanian or English.
Note 2: The Embassy Consulate reserves the right to request additional information/ documentation and if deemed necessary, to interview the applicant. For detailed information on all visa requirements, it is advisable to visit the website of the
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuanian.
Note 3: A national visa (D), as well as a temporary residence permit, allows students to travel via Schengen area countries for 3 months in each period of 6 months.
Online registration for an appointment at the Migration office in Lithuania.
Please note that details of the procedure for application for the Residence Permit/Visa D might be changed by the time you decide to visit the country therefore we suggest that you consult the nearest Lithuanian embassy before the arrival or internet:
NB: It is the responsibility of individual students to present all required documents in a timely manner at the Migration Department to maintain a valid and legitimate visa (or residence permit) status throughout their study at VU.
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