Lithuania tightens residence permit application rules for foreign workers and students

From 1 November 2026, some third-country nationals can no longer submit an initial Lithuanian temporary residence permit application for ordinary employment or bachelor’s studies while in Lithuania if they are staying on a Schengen visa or a national visa issued by another country.

To apply directly to the Migration Department while legally in Lithuania, applicants must have a valid Lithuanian temporary residence permit, a Lithuanian national visa, a residence permit issued by another EU or Schengen country, or the right to stay visa-free. The change does not affect applications for highly qualified work or qualifying renewals of existing permits. Applicants who do not meet the conditions must apply from abroad through the designated external service provider.

The procedural change comes after Lithuania’s 2026 quota for newly arriving foreign workers — 24,706 people — was exhausted in September. The quota was not reduced or reset on 1 November. Employers seeking permits outside the quota face higher minimum salary thresholds: €2,893.68 gross per month in general, or €2,411.40 for certain shortage, high value-added professions.

The new filing rules and the exhausted quota are separate measures. Workers, employers, recruiters and international students should check which route applies before making plans, especially if they intend to apply from inside Lithuania.

Sources: Lithuanian Migration Department: application procedure from 1 November; Lithuanian Migration Department: quota-related procedures.