Visa & Residence Permit
All international students have to apply for a visa, residence permit or certificate of temporary residence in the Republic of Lithuania, depending on their citizenship and the length of their studies at Vilnius University.
Do I need a visa or a temporary residence permit to enter Lithuania?
Certificate of Temporary Residence (TRC)
(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 students, EU/EFTA citizens 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.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
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 €221 per month);
- European Health Insurance Card (or Private Health Insurance);
- Certificate of Student Status (original or signed electronically, in Lithuanian);
- State fee in the amount of €10 (payment code 5740).
DECLARATION OF THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE
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:
- Consent to Settle-In at the Dwelling Belonging to the Owner (Co-Owner).
- Lease or loan-for-use agreement is concluded with the natural person or legal entity.
- Letter issued by the legal entity confirming the right to settle-in the premises belonging to the legal entity or the document confirming accommodation at the hotel, or the granted hostel.
- 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.
Temporary Residence Permit (TRP)
(For degree-seeking Non-EU/EFTA citizens)
All international students from non-EU/EFTA countries coming to study in Lithuania are required to obtain a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP).
The Temporary Residence Permit for study purposes may be issued for a period of 1 to 2 years (up to 3 years for doctoral students) and can be renewed for the remaining duration of the study period.
| Before Arrival: | After Arrival: | |
| Application Submission Place: |
Through an External Service Provider (VFS Global) |
At the relevant territorial office of the Migration Department |
|
Application for: |
TRP issuance (only) | TRP issuance or renewal |
|
Processing Time: |
Up to 2 months (General process) | Up to 2 months (General process) Up to 1 month (Urgent process) |
| Cost: |
State Fee: €80 (General process) |
State Fee: |
|
Place of TRP Card Pickup: |
VFS Global |
Migration Department |
TRP Issuance
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 €519 x 12 months + €1038 for the return to the state of origin);
- Health insurance (the insurance amount comprises €10 000);
- 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 (Order HERE);
- State fee in the amount of €80 (in general order) / €320 (in urgent order). The fee for VFS Global services shall be paid additionally (courier service fee is included).
Note 3: A national visa cannot be issued for full-time study, including for those who are awaiting a decision on issuing/replacing a temporary residence permit (residence permit) or for returning to Lithuania after receiving a decision on issuing a residence permit to pick up a card.
TRP Renewal
To renew 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 €519 x 12 months + €1038 for the return to the state of origin);
- Health insurance (the insurance amount comprises €10 000);
- Document concerning the place of residence in the Republic of Lithuania;
- Commitment to declare the place of residence;
- Number of Mediation Letter (order here);
- State fee in the amount of €80 (in general order) / €320 (in urgent order). The fee for VFS Global services shall be paid additionally (courier service fee is included).
You can choose a convenient date and time from the calendar available ONLY after submitting an online application to visit the Migration Division to submit your biometric data, as well as original documents.
The decision does NOT grant the right to stay in the Republic of Lithuania without a visa or to exceed the visa-free stay period!
TRP AFTER GRADUATION
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 (for the entire requested TRP validity period, at least €1038 per month);
- Health Insurance (Minimum coverage amount – €10 000. 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 (€160/ within 1 month. €320/ within 15 days). Once, at your choice, you may be exempted from the state fee for processing the documents for issuing a temporary residence permit and for issuing a temporary residence permit under the general procedure.
NOTE. Such a TRP is not issued to visa holders, only to holders of a valid study permit.
DECLARATION OF THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE
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:
- Consent to Settle-In at the Dwelling Belonging to the Owner (Co-Owner).
- Lease or loan-for-use agreement is concluded with the natural person or legal entity.
- Letter issued by the legal entity confirming the right to settle-in the premises belonging to the legal entity or the document confirming accommodation at the hotel, or the granted hostel.
- 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.
Consultations for Students – Registration
National Visa
(For exchange students from non-EU/EFTA countries)
All exchange students from non-EU/EFTA countries shall obtain a national D-type visa.
NOTE: 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 may stay and study here without a Lithuanian visa for up to 360 days.
PLACE OF THE SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION
The application can be submitted:
- Before arrival - through an External Service Provider, an official partner of the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania.
- After arrival - at a relevant territorial office of the Migration Department upon arrival while your stay in Lithuania is legal.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Applicant must electronically fill out the request to issue a national visa through the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS) and include digital copies of the documents listed below.
- 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.
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (at least €519 per month + €1038 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, including: emergency medical care, emergency hospital treatment, medical evacuation, along with accompaniment by a medical specialist, and repatriation.
- Mediation Letter Number from Vilnius University (prepared by IRO).
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 follow the information provided on the website of the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania.
Useful Links
- Republic of Lithuania Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners (Consolidated version valid as of 1 April 2022)
- The state fee for Migration Department services
- How can I declare my place of residence in Lithuania?
- Can I work in Lithuania while studying?
- Are foreigners insured with Compulsory Health Insurance (PSD)?
- More useful information and integration tips are available on the International House Vilnius Website