Visa & residence permit

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The international students have to apply for visa depending on their citizenship and the lenght of studies at Vilnius University.

For Degree students

For Non-EU, EEA, EFTA citizens

Formalities before arrival to Lithuania

All international students from Non- EU, EEA, EFTA countries coming for studies to Lithuania are required to get a national visa for multiple entries D.

The application documents for the issue of visa D should be submitted to the closest Embassy, Diplomatic mission or Consular post of the Republic of Lithuania before arrival.

The decision on the issue of visa D shall be made within 15 days after the receipt of application.

Visa D allows students to travel via Schengen area countries 3 months in each period of 6 months. A multiple entry visa (D) may be issued for the period not exceeding one year (12 months)!

The required documents for visa D:

Application for issuing the national visa in the established format (https://visa.vrm.lt/epm);
Number of mediation letter from Vilnius University to issue visa D (issued by IRO within 3-5 working days);
Proofs of sufficient amount of funds for subsistence (at least 304 EUR per month + 607 EUR for the return to the state of origin);
1 photo (35 x 45 colour);
Valid passport (its copy and copy of all stamped pages);
Health insurance valid in Schengen area countries (the insurance amount comprises EUR 30000);
Consular fee for visa: 60-120 EUR.

Note: 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 .

Formalities after arrival to Lithuania

If you are coming for degree studies you need to apply for a temporary residence permit (TRP) to live in Lithuania after first semester spent at Vilnius University. All the documents should be submitted to the Territorial division of the Migration departament.

The decision of the issue of the temporary residence permit shall be made within 3 months (as general order)/ 1.5 months (as urgent order) after the submission of the documents.

The temporary residence permit to live in Lithuania may be issued for the period not exceeding two years.

The required documents for the Temporary residence permit:

completed online application form;
mediation letter number (issued by IRO);
certificate of enrolment (issued by Faculty);
valid passport (its copy and copy of all stamped pages);
proofs of sufficient amount of funds for subsistence (bank transcript or proof that you are receiving a scholarship) (minimum 3648EUR);
health insurance (the insurance amount comprises 6000 EUR);
document concerning the place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania;
certificate of Non-Criminal Record (Police Clearance certificate);
document confirming the legal stay (visa or TRP);
state fee in the amount of 120 EUR (general order)/240 EUR (urgent order).

You can choose a convenient date and time for your appointment from the calendar available after submitting your online application.

Note1: All documents must be translated into Lithuanian or English language. The health insurance contract (policy) shall contain entries in at least one of the following languages: Lithuanian, English, German, French, and Russian.

Note2: The certificate of Non-Criminal Record must be legalised and (or) certified by an Apostille.

After receiving an information (letter) of the Migration Department under the Ministery of Interior of Lithuania, regarding the taken decision on granting temporary residence permit the student must visit local Migration Board for the processing of the residence permit.

Note 1: The TRP is issued within 10 days after accepting the documents. After receiving the TRP, you must declare your living place at the Municipality Office (Seniūnija) if it wasn't done already in the Migration Office.

Note 2: The decision on granting temporary residence permit is valid only for 3 months. In case if the documents will not be submitted to the mentioned institution in 3 months, the taken decision will became invalid and the procedure on the consideration for the issuance of temporary residence permit will have to be started again.

Note 3: 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!

Extension of Temporary Residence Permit (for non-EU/EEA citizens)

Documents should be submitted not earlier than 4 months and not later than 2 months before the expiry date of permit. Concerning the required documents for extension contact International Relations Office.

When applying for TRP until the end of studies, TRP is issued for a period 3 months extending study period.

During the last year of studying, you can apply for a temporary residence permit for 12 additional months from the day when studies are finished in order to look for a job.

For EU/EEA citizens

Registration within Lithuania after arrival

EU students, coming for the degree studies, after the registration at the Migration Office are required to declare the place of residence at a Seniūnija (local district authority).

For the registration at the Migration Office the following documents are necessary:

valid passport (or ID card) and its copy;
state fee in amount of 8.60 EUR;
completed application;
proofs of sufficient means of support (at least 304 EUR per month);
EU medical insurance card or health insurance;
document confirming your enrolment at Vilnius University (issued by Faculty).

The place of residence at a Seniūnija must be declared within 7 days after the registration at Migration Office. Otherwise the fine might be pending.

For Exchange students

For EU exchange students

All students, EU citizens, coming for studies in Lithuania for more than 3 months are required to register at the Migration Office immediately upon arrival.

For the registration at the Migration Office the following documents are necessary:

a valid passport (or ID card) and its copy;
state fee in amount of 8.60 EUR;
completed application;
proofs of sufficient means of support (at least 304 EUR per month);
EU Medical insurance card or health insurance;
document confirming your enrolment at Vilnius University (issued by IRO).

For non-EU exchange students

Non degree students from non-EU countries must get 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 the national visa:

completed application form (https://visa.vrm.lt/epm/);
number of mediation letter (issued by IRO);
proofs of sufficient means of support (at least 304 EUR per month + 607 EUR for the return to the state of origin);
1 photo (colour, 35x45 mm);
valid passport;
health insurance valid in all Schengen countries (minimum amount - 30 000 EUR).

Requirements for medical insurance see Health insurance

Online registration for an appointment at Migration office in Lithuania.

Note: The health insurance contract (policy) shall contain entries in at least one of the following languages: Lithuanian, English, German, French, or Russian. Bank account statement may be issued in English.

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 to consult the nearest Lithuanian embassy before the arrival or internet:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.urm.lt/default/en/

Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania http://www.migracija.lt/

Note: 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.