Questionnaire of the Migration Department for Russian and Belarusian Nationals – More Than 2,000 Decisions Concerning Threats Posed by Russian and Belarusian Nationals Were Taken Within a Year

Within the first year when it has started to verify a legal status of the Russian and Belarusian citizens who were required to fill in a special questionnaire, wherein it is necessary to specify a certain information about themselves and express their attitude towards the war in Ukraine, the Migration Department  has adopted 2,041 decisions to annul the permanent or temporary residence permits in Lithuania due to the threat posed by the Russian and Belarusian citizens to the national security.

While assessing the information gathered and before making a certain decision, the Migration Department has cooperated with the State Security Department of Lithuania, State Border Guard Service, Police, and other public authorities, where necessary.

Such questionnaires were provided to all Russian and Belarusian nationals who applied for migration services. In addition, verification of the mentioned citizens was carried out at the initiative of the Migration Department itself in a random sequence.

After the Migration Department examined the information collected and additional data obtained from various national institutions, 1,644 decisions were taken as to the threat posed by the Belarusian citizens to the national security.

According to data provided by the Migration Department, Belarusian citizens were refused a temporary residence permit in Lithuania on 562 occasions and refused a replacement of their residence permit on 343 occasions.

Belarusians had their previously valid temporary residence permits revoked on 450 occasions. Two Belarusian citizens were refused permanent residence permits in Lithuania, and eight had such documents revoked. Belarusians were refused national Lithuanian visas on 279 occasions.

Meanwhile, 397 Russian citizens were found to be a threat to national security, 76 of whom were refused a temporary residence permit in Lithuania, 84 were refused a replacement of their residence permit, 90 had their previously valid temporary residence permits revoked, and another 90 had their permanent residence permits revoked.

Two Russian citizens were denied permanent residence permits in Lithuania when applying for the first time. Russians were refused national Lithuanian visas on 55 occasions.

All citizens for whom decisions were adopted as to revocation or non-issuance of the residence permits, were also banned from entering Lithuania.

The Migration Department has also noted that such a behaviour of the foreigners when they do not disclose the significant information when filling in the questionnaire, that becomes apparent later, is treated not in their favour.

MIGRATION LAW CENTER