Citizenship and Residence Permit of the Republic of Lithuania for Citizens of Russia and Belarus. Restrictions

The Seimas has adopted after consideration the draft law on the amendment of the Law on International Sanctions No XIVP-2493 and the accompanying draft law on imposing restrictive measures in connection with the military aggression against Ukraine No XIVP-2496(2) which propose to determine the additional restrictive measures in order to protect the Lithuania’s national security and foreign policy interests. 

Restrictive measures for citizens of Russia and Belarus:

1. Suspension of acceptance of the applications from Russians and Belarusians to issue a visa at Lithuanian visa services abroad, except for cases where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuanian acts as an intermediary in the process of submitting an application to issue a visa;

2. Cessation of acceptance of the applications from Russians and Belarusians to issue national visas through a foreign external service provider;

3. Suspension of acceptance of the applications from citizens of Russia and Belarus to issue a temporary residence permit in Lithuania through a foreign external service provider (except for foreigners who apply for a residence permit through the body authorized by the Lithuanian government) and in Lithuania, except for those Russians and Belarusians who are the holders of a valid national or Schengen visa issued by the Lithuanian visa service abroad or in Lithuania, or those holding a residence permit in Lithuania, as well as for those having a residence permit issued by other member state of the European Union;

4. Movement of Russian citizens across the external border of the European Union to the territory of Lithuania shall be subject to individual additional detailed inspection due to a threat posed by their entry to Lithuania’s national security, public order, public policy, internal security, public health or international relationship, except for cases where such persons comply with the provisions of arrival stipulated in the Schengen Borders Code and at least one of the additional conditions proposed by law;

5. Discontinuation of acceptance of the applications from citizens of Russia and Belarus for granting Lithuanian e-resident status and cessation of validity of electronic identification certificates and qualified electronic signature certificates entered in the means of electronic identification and electronic signature of the e-resident of Lithuania, issued to citizens of Russia and Belarus;

6. Cessation of acceptance of the applications for Lithuanian citizenship from Russians and Belarusians and decision-making of granting Lithuanian citizenship, except for cases where the application for renunciation of Lithuanian citizenship is submitted or where a decision is made concerning the loss of Lithuanian citizenship after renunciation of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania or acquisition of citizenship of another state;

7. The public announcement of data on economic ties of the legal entities established in Lithuania, controlled or related to Lithuanian politicians, that are maintained with Russia and Belarus, is insured after the entry into force of this law;

8. Suspension of the right of Russians and their established or controlled legal entities, as defined in the Republic of Lithuania Law on Competition, to acquire by title of ownership a real estate located in the territory of Lithuania, except for cases where a citizen of Russia has been issued with a temporary residence permit in Lithuania pursuant to Article 1301(2) of the Republic of Lithuania Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners.

This restrictive measure does not propose to abolish the possibility of obtaining citizenship of Lithuania, but only temporarily suspend the acceptance of applications and the adoption of decisions on admission to Lithuanian citizenship.

This measure will not affect the acquisition of Lithuanian citizenship by right of birth, and persons of Lithuanian origin or persons eligible for restoration of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania would be able to come to Lithuania and submit applications for issuing a permanent residence permit. The ability of persons of Lithuanian origin or persons eligible for restoration of Lithuanian citizenship to reside in Lithuania will not be restricted.

The applications of persons of Lithuanian origin and persons eligible for restoration of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania for certificates approving Lithuanian descent and certificates approving eligibility for restoration of citizenship will be accepted and processed in a standard procedure.

MIGRATION LAW CENTER