Programme on the Return of Political Prisoners and Exiles and Their Families to Lithuania. Government assistance in immigration and social integration

According to the current legislation of the Republic of Lithuania and the provisions of the current action plan for political prisoners and exiles and their family members returning to Lithuania in 2015-2017, confirmed by the law dated March 5, 2014, the government assistance for immigration and social integration is provided not only to rehabilitated political prisoners and exiles who have returned to Lithuania for permanent residence but also their children.

Upon returning to Lithuania, moving expenses are compensated. In addition, upon returning to Lithuania, the family is given a lump-sum allowance and job seekers are registered in the territorial employment agency of the Republic of Lithuania, which provides them with any kind of employment services. If an employment agency fails to offer a job by profession, it may offer educational and job retraining courses. Also, it is possible to attend Lithuanian language courses. The Department organizes and pays for course attendance and exams.

A returnee who wishes to receive government assistance must submit a petition to the Department with the following documents:
1. Certificate of the legal status of a returnee being deported or certificate of rehabilitation.
2. Documents confirming the kinship.
3. Proof of expenses.

The petition is considered and a decision on it is made within 30 days after the petition is submitted.

After the decision to grant assistance is made, the money is transferred to a personal account in the bank indicated by the returnee within 5 days and the returnee receives a message about it.

The Government provides former exiles and their descendants with an opportunity to take free Lithuanian language courses. These courses are organized by the Lithuanian Language and Culture Centre at the Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences.

In different cities, similar Lithuanian language courses for foreigners and representatives of national minorities are conducted with the financial support of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the Educational Assistance Service, and the Department of National Minorities. Detailed information can be found on the websites of the above state institutions.

During 1992-2016, the Government provided 2,012 families of returnees with apartments. The expenses on providing accommodation for this period amounted to about EUR 32 million. In the period from 2015 to 2017, about EUR 1.5 million were spent on the integration of former deportees and returnees. Over the next three years, the government will allocate EUR 3.9 million for the above needs and EUR 3.3 million will be spent on providing people with apartments.

As of the end of 2017, there were 194 families waiting for apartments.

This Programme is carried out and implemented by the Department of Supervision of Social Services of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.

MIGRATION LAW CENTER