Work permit in Lithuania

An alien who intends to work legally in Lithuania must obtain a work permit and a national visa D.

An alien who wishes to work in Lithuania should first find an employer – Lithuanian company that would like to hire him/her. Once finding an employer, an alien shall apply on the issue of a work permit in the Republic of Lithuania and national visa D. 

Before submitting the documents for the issue of a work permit in Lithuania, the Labour Exchange of Lithuania must register a vacant position in the Lithuanian company. The vacant position shall be registered no less than 5 working days before the submission of documents for the issue of a work permit in Lithuania. During this period, citizens of Lithuania and permanent residents of Lithuania, meeting the employer's requirements, shall have the right to apply for the vacancy. If, during this period, the employer – Lithuanian company cannot find a suitable candidate for the vacancy, the alien may submit documents for the issue of a work permit in Lithuania to an alien.

The employer will be able to employ a foreigner who meets at least one of the following conditions:

- the foreigner has a qualification related to the work to be performed, or
- the foreigner has 1 year of work experience gained in the last 3 years related to the work to be performed, or
- the foreigner is expected to be paid a monthly wage at least equal to the last published average monthly gross wage in the country's economy for the calendar year (including the wage data of individual companies).

Place for the submission of documents for a work permit in Lithuania – a local labour exchange office.

In order to employ the alien under the employment contract, the following documents must be submitted to the Employment Service: 

1. An application; 

2. A copy of passport; 

3. Employer’s information on the alien’s qualification and at least one year of working experience according to his/her qualification within the last 3 years; 

The employer must make sure that the alien has documents approving his/her own qualification (diploma, certificate, etc.) and at least one year of working experience according to his/her qualification within the last 3 years (work book, certificate from the previous workplace). 

4. Obligation to employ a foreigner in accordance with the employment contract and the employee's average salary, if the company has more employees working in the same job as the foreigner is requested to work for;

5. A copy of the payment order or a check for the issue of work permit. 

Foreign documents must be legalized or certified with an Apostille in accordance with the established procedure, unless otherwise provided for by other legislation. The translation into Lithuanian of documents drawn up not in Lithuanian must be confirmed by a signature of translator. Copies of documents must be approved by signature and stamp of the head of the company.

Time limits for the issuance of a work permit in Lithuania – up to 7 working days.

After the getting of a work permit in Lithuania, documents for the issue of a national visa D shall be submitted.

Place for the submission of documents for a national visa D – a diplomatic mission or a consular post of Lithuania abroad.

Time limits for the issuance of a national visa D – up to 15 days.