Immigration Services for Foreign Entrepreneurs in Lithuania

AT A GLANCE

EU citizens have freedom of movement and do not require work or residence permits in Lithuania — this page is for non-EU nationals who want to live and work in Lithuania as entrepreneurs, investors, or employees of their Lithuanian company.
Lithuania provides several immigration pathways for eligible third-country nationals, including employment-based temporary residence permits, the EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers, temporary residence permits for innovative startup founders, residence permits based on qualifying business activities, and family reunification. A separate national work permit is not the standard immigration route for ordinary employment in Lithuania. The appropriate route depends on the applicant’s intended activities, qualifications, employment arrangements and statutory eligibility.
Immigration and company registration are parallel processes — we coordinate both simultaneously so the company is ready when the permit is granted and the permit application uses the company as its legal anchor.
We manage the complete immigration process: permit route selection, document preparation, translation coordination, application submission, and Migration Department liaison through to permit issuance.
Processing times range from 4 weeks (national work permit, standard) to 4–6 months (residence permit via investment) — we advise on realistic timelines for each route before the application begins.

Immigration services for foreign entrepreneurs in Lithuania cover the complete process of obtaining the right to live and work in Lithuania legally as a non-EU national — from selecting the correct permit route based on the entrepreneur’s circumstances, preparing and translating the required documents, submitting the application to the Migration Department, and managing the correspondence through to permit issuance. We also handle family reunification permits for spouses and dependent children who will relocate with the entrepreneur. The immigration process is coordinated with the company registration and accounting setup so all three workstreams advance in parallel.

Who Needs a Work or Residence Permit in Lithuania

Not every foreigner who wants to be connected to a Lithuanian company needs a Lithuanian immigration permit. The right to live and work in Lithuania depends on nationality and on the nature of the intended activity.

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens — no permit required

Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), and Switzerland have freedom of movement within the EU and do not require a work permit or residence permit to live and work in Lithuania. They may register their residence with the Migration Department as an administrative matter, but this is not a condition of working. If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you do not need immigration services — you can work for your Lithuanian company freely.

Non-EU nationals — permit required

Citizens of all other countries — including the UK (post-Brexit), UAE, Israel, the US, India, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Turkey, and all other non-EU states — require either a work permit, a residence permit, or both to legally work in Lithuania. Working without the required permit is a serious violation — it exposes the individual to deportation and the employing company to significant administrative fines. Even a company director who is also the sole shareholder of a Lithuanian company cannot legally perform work functions in Lithuania without the correct permit if they are a non-EU national.

Remote owners vs. physically present entrepreneurs

Many non-EU nationals own Lithuanian companies remotely — they operate the company from their home country and never live or work in Lithuania. These investors do not need Lithuanian immigration permits, because they are not physically present in Lithuania and are not performing work there. A permit is only needed when the entrepreneur or investor wants to be physically based in Lithuania — to manage the company in person, to build a local team, to access EU infrastructure directly, or to relocate for personal reasons. We clarify this at the initial consultation so entrepreneurs do not invest in an immigration process they do not need.

UK nationals post-BrexitSince 31 December 2020, UK nationals are no longer EU citizens and do not have the right to live and work in Lithuania without a permit. UK nationals who were resident in Lithuania before the Brexit deadline may have protected status under the Withdrawal Agreement — but new arrivals after that date require a work permit or residence permit on the same basis as any other non-EU national. We manage immigration applications for UK nationals and advise on the most appropriate route for their specific situation.

Immigration Routes for Non-EU Entrepreneurs

Lithuania offers five primary immigration routes for non-EU entrepreneurs and investors. The right route depends on the nature of the activity, the entrepreneur's qualifications and salary level, the type of investment being made, and how quickly legal status is needed.

EU Blue Card · Highly qualified employees

For whom: Non-EU nationals employed by a Lithuanian company in a highly qualified role — typically engineers, senior managers, compliance specialists, or other professionals with specialist qualifications.

Key requirements: An eligible highly qualified employment arrangement with a Lithuanian employer, appropriate higher education qualifications or qualifying professional experience, and a salary meeting the applicable EU Blue Card threshold. Lithuania generally applies a threshold of 1.5 times the relevant average gross monthly salary, reduced to 1.2 times for qualifying occupations on the applicable shortage list. For applications submitted from 12 May 2026, the corresponding gross monthly salary thresholds are EUR 3,617.10 and EUR 2,893.68 respectively. The applicant must satisfy the specific qualification and immigration requirements applicable to the proposed position.

Process: The Lithuanian employer prepares the required employment documentation and submits the applicable mediation letter through MIGRIS. The applicant then applies for a temporary residence permit on the basis of highly qualified employment, commonly referred to as an EU Blue Card, through the Lithuanian Migration Department or an authorised external service provider where applications from abroad are permitted. A separate Blue Card visa and prior Employment Service approval are not generally required as universal steps. The applicant must meet the applicable qualification, salary and immigration conditions.

Typical duration: 6–10 weeks from complete application to permit issuance

Employment-Based Temporary Residence Permit · Standard employment route

For whom: Eligible third-country nationals intending to work for Lithuanian employers who do not qualify for the EU Blue Card or another specialised immigration category.

Key requirements: A qualifying employment arrangement with a Lithuanian employer, compliance with applicable salary and qualification or professional experience requirements, and satisfaction of the relevant immigration conditions. Employment quotas and statutory exemptions may also be relevant.

Process: The employer submits the required mediation letter through MIGRIS, and the foreign national applies for an employment-based temporary residence permit. Applications may be submitted in Lithuania where the applicant is legally present or through an authorised external service provider abroad, subject to the applicable rules. Since 1 July 2024, a separate work permit is not the standard route for ordinary employment. National D visas and Employment Service work permits remain relevant only in specific circumstances.

Typical duration: 4–8 weeks (work permit) + 2–4 weeks (visa) + 1–2 months (residence permit) — parallel where possible

Startup Visa · Innovative entrepreneurs

For whom: Non-EU entrepreneurs with an innovative, scalable business concept who want to establish or develop a startup in Lithuania. The programme is coordinated through Startup Lithuania and targets founders with technology, digital, or other innovation-driven business models.

Key requirements: Innovative business concept assessed and approved by Startup Lithuania; business plan demonstrating the concept's innovation and scalability; no minimum investment or salary requirement — the assessment is qualitative.

Process: Submit the proposed innovative business concept through the applicable Startup Visa Lithuania assessment procedure. Following a positive assessment and receipt of the required supporting documentation, the applicant may apply for a temporary residence permit under the relevant Lithuanian immigration provisions. Applications are submitted through MIGRIS, with the required identity verification and biometric procedures. Obtaining a national D visa is not a universal prerequisite for submitting a startup-based temporary residence permit application.

Typical duration: 4–6 weeks (Startup Lithuania assessment) + 4–8 weeks (visa and permit)

What Startup Lithuania assesses

Startup Lithuania evaluates applications on the following criteria: the innovativeness of the business concept (does it solve a genuine problem in a novel way?); the scalability of the model (can it grow beyond Lithuania?); the founder's relevant background and ability to execute; and the fit with Lithuania's startup ecosystem priorities. The assessment is not purely about technology — innovative approaches in logistics, sustainability, healthcare, or professional services are also considered. We advise on how to present the business concept effectively before the Startup Lithuania application is submitted.

Residence Permit Based on Lawful Business Activities

For whom: Eligible third-country nationals who genuinely operate or participate in a Lithuanian business and meet the requirements of Article 45 of the Lithuanian Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners.

Key requirements: The company must generally have carried out genuine business activities in Lithuania for at least six months before the application and must satisfy the applicable employment and remuneration requirements. Its equity capital must generally be at least EUR 28,000, including at least EUR 14,000 invested by the foreign applicant. The applicant must also satisfy the relevant management or shareholder ownership criteria and general immigration requirements.

Process: Establish or acquire an eligible Lithuanian company, conduct qualifying business activities, prepare evidence of the company's operations, capital, investment and employment arrangements, and submit the temporary residence permit application through MIGRIS. Lithuania does not provide a general residence permit solely for purchasing property of a specified value or placing EUR 1 million in a bank deposit.

Typical duration: 2–4 months from complete application to permit issuance

How the Immigration Application Process Works

Every immigration application follows a defined sequence — from route selection through document preparation, submission, and permit issuance. Understanding the sequence prevents the most common delays: missing documents discovered at the submission stage, translation errors that require resubmission, and applications submitted before the underlying company or employment structure is in place.

Route assessment and selection
We assess the entrepreneur’s circumstances — nationality, qualifications, intended activity in Lithuania, salary expectations, family situation, and urgency — and recommend the most appropriate permit route. For entrepreneurs who qualify for multiple routes (for example, both the EU Blue Card and the national work permit), we explain the differences in processing time, conditions, and ongoing obligations to help make the right choice.

Company and employment structure setup
Most permit routes require a Lithuanian legal entity as the anchor. For the work permit and Blue Card routes, the Lithuanian company must be registered and the employment contract signed before the permit application begins. We coordinate the company registration (or confirm the existing company’s status) and prepare the employment contract or director service agreement before the immigration application is submitted. For the investor residence permit, the qualifying investment must be made or contracted before the application.

Document preparation and translation
Each permit route has a defined document checklist. Standard documents include: valid passport; passport-sized photographs; criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country (and from any country where they have lived for more than 12 months in the past 5 years); educational certificates (for Blue Card applications); employment contract or director service agreement; company registration documents; proof of address in Lithuania or a contract for accommodation; and health insurance. Documents in non-Lithuanian languages must be translated into Lithuanian by a certified translator. We prepare the checklist, coordinate the translations, and review all documents for completeness before submission.

Labour Exchange application (work permit and Blue Card routes)
For ordinary employment and EU Blue Card applications, the employer generally submits the required mediation letter through MIGRIS, while the foreign national applies for the relevant temporary residence permit. Prior Employment Service approval is not a universal requirement for either route. Separate work permits remain applicable to certain specific categories, such as eligible seasonal workers. We assist employers with immigration documentation, mediation letters and the applicable employment-related requirements.

Visa application at the Lithuanian consulate
Once the Labour Exchange approval is received (for work permit routes) or the Startup Lithuania recommendation is obtained (for the Startup Visa), the individual applies for a long-stay national D visa at the Lithuanian consulate or embassy in their country of residence. The D visa allows entry to Lithuania for the purpose of applying for the residence permit. We prepare the visa application documents and advise on the consulate appointment process in the applicant’s country.

Residence permit application in Lithuania
After arrival in Lithuania on the D visa, the applicant applies for a temporary residence permit at the Migration Department of Lithuania. The permit is typically issued within 2 months of the application submission. We submit the residence permit application, attend the Migration Department appointment with the applicant, and manage all correspondence during the processing period.

Biometrics and permit collection
The Migration Department notifies the applicant when the permit is ready. The applicant attends to provide biometric data (photograph and fingerprints) and collects the physical residence permit card. We accompany the applicant to this appointment and confirm that all details on the permit are correct.

Post-permit obligations and renewal
A temporary residence permit must be renewed before expiry — typically 1–2 months before the expiry date. We track permit expiry dates and initiate renewal processes proactively. Changes in circumstances (change of employer, change of address, change of family status) may require notifications to the Migration Department, which we manage as part of the ongoing immigration advisory.

What Each Immigration Permit Enables

The type of permit determines what the holder is legally permitted to do in Lithuania and what rights they have within the EU. Understanding these differences matters for entrepreneurs planning their business activities and longer-term EU presence.

Permit Type	Right to Work	Right to Travel EU	Path to Permanent Residence	Bring Family
EU Blue Card	Highly qualified employment in Lithuania, subject to applicable conditions for changing employers	Short-term Schengen travel and qualifying long-term mobility to another participating EU Member State after 12 months of lawful residence as an EU Blue Card holder, subject to the destination country’s requirements	Possible eligibility for EU long-term residence after five years of qualifying legal residence, subject to applicable conditions	Family reunification permitted, with employment rights subject to the applicable immigration rules.
National Work Permit	For the issuing employer only; tied to specific role	Short-term Schengen travel; no right to work in other EU states	After 5 years continuous temporary residence in Lithuania	Yes — family reunification permitted
Startup Visa	For the startup activity only; developing the approved concept	Short-term Schengen travel	After 5 years continuous temporary residence; subject to review	Yes — family reunification permitted
Investor Residence Permit	May not work for an employer; can manage the investment	Short-term Schengen travel	After 5 years continuous temporary residence; investment must be maintained	Yes — family reunification permitted
Permanent Residence Permit	Unrestricted right to work for any employer in Lithuania	Long-term resident status — right to reside in another EU state after 5 years	Already permanent	Yes — simplified family reunification

Path to permanent residence

Every temporary residence permit holder who resides continuously in Lithuania for 5 years becomes eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit — provided they have not been absent from Lithuania for more than 10 months in total during those 5 years, and no more than 6 consecutive months in any single year. The permanent residence permit has no expiry date (it is renewed every 5 years as an administrative formality) and gives the holder an unrestricted right to work for any employer in Lithuania. We manage the permanent residence permit application at the 5-year milestone for all clients whose temporary permits we have managed.

Practical Aspects of Relocating to Lithuania

Beyond the immigration permit, relocating to Lithuania involves a set of practical steps that foreign entrepreneurs often underestimate. We advise on all of these as part of our immigration service.

Registration of residence

All residents of Lithuania — including foreign nationals with valid permits — must register their address with the local municipality within 7 days of arriving at a new address. Registration is done through the Residents’ Register Service (GYVREG). We assist with the registration process and advise on the documentation required.

Health insurance

A valid health insurance policy is required for most permit applications — it must cover the duration of the permit and provide a minimum coverage level. Once the individual is employed by a Lithuanian company and registered with SoDra, they are covered by Lithuania’s state health insurance system (Privalomasis sveikatos draudimas) and the private policy is no longer required. We advise on appropriate health insurance options for the period before state coverage is active.

Lithuanian personal identification number (asmens kodas)

Every foreign national who registers residence in Lithuania receives a Lithuanian personal identification number (asmens kodas) — equivalent to a national identification number. The asmens kodas is required for opening bank accounts, registering with SoDra, entering employment contracts, and most official interactions with Lithuanian authorities. It is issued automatically as part of the residence permit process.

Banking

Opening a Lithuanian bank account is easier with a residence permit but is not always possible immediately on arrival. Several Lithuanian banks and EMIs have streamlined their onboarding for foreign nationals. We advise on the most accessible banking options for newly arrived entrepreneurs and coordinate introductions to banking providers where the standard onboarding process presents difficulties.

Driving licence

Non-EU driving licences are recognised in Lithuania for a period after arrival, but must be exchanged for a Lithuanian licence within a specified timeframe for permanent residents. EU driving licences remain valid indefinitely. We advise on the exchange process and timeline for each nationality.

Immigration Services Pricing

Immigration services are priced at fixed fees per application. Government fees (Migration Department application fees, Labour Exchange fees, consular visa fees) are separate and payable to the relevant authority — they are not included in our service fee. We provide a complete cost estimate including both service fees and government fees before any application begins.

Service	Price
Immigration route assessment and planning Written recommendation of the most appropriate route; document checklist; realistic timeline; total cost estimate	€600
Employment-based residence permit — employer documentation and MIGRIS mediation letter. Preparation of the required employer documentation, assessment of applicable employment conditions, submission of the mediation letter through MIGRIS and coordination with the employee’s residence permit application. Separate Employment Service work permit assistance is provided only where required by law.	€900
National D visa application support Document preparation, translation coordination, and consular appointment guidance	€700
Temporary residence permit application (work permit basis) Full application preparation, Migration Department submission, appointment attendance, and permit collection	€1,200
EU Blue Card — employer documentation and mediation letter. Assessment of qualifications, applicable salary thresholds and employment conditions, preparation of employer documentation and submission of the required mediation letter through MIGRIS. Prior Employment Service approval is not generally required for EU Blue Card applications.	€900
EU Blue Card — residence permit application Full Migration Department application; appointment attendance; permit collection	€900
Startup Visa — Startup Lithuania concept submission Business concept structuring, application preparation, and Startup Lithuania liaison through to recommendation	€2,000
Startup Visa — national D visa and residence permit Full visa and permit application based on Startup Lithuania recommendation	€2,000
Investor residence permit — full application Investment documentation, Migration Department application, interview preparation, and permit collection	€2,500
Investor residence permit — company investment route advisory Confirming qualifying investment structure; coordinating proof of investment documentation	€1,500
Employer immigration compliance check Reviewing the company’s obligations for employing non-EU nationals; notification requirements	€700
Permanent residence permit application At 5-year milestone; full application preparation and Migration Department submission	€1,500
Document legalisation and apostille coordination Coordinating notarisation, apostille, and certified translation for immigration documents	€150 per document

Government fees — not included in the above

Lithuanian immigration applications involve separate government fees payable directly to the authorities. In 2026, the Lithuanian Migration Department’s standard government fee for examining and issuing a temporary residence permit is EUR 160, while urgent processing costs EUR 320. Processing periods depend on the legal basis of the application and the applicable statutory procedure; the stated periods of 10 and 5 business days should not be used for ordinary initial residence permit applications. National visa and Employment Service fees apply only where those procedures are relevant to the applicant’s immigration category. We provide a breakdown of the applicable government fees before submitting an application. We include all government fees in the initial cost estimate so there are no surprises during the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

The total timeline from starting the process to holding a valid residence permit depends on the route. For the national work permit route: the Labour Exchange application takes 4–8 weeks; the D visa takes 2–4 weeks at the consulate; and the residence permit application takes 1–2 months after arrival. Running the Labour Exchange application and visa concurrently where possible, the realistic total is 2–3 months from application start to permit in hand. The EU Blue Card follows a similar timeline. The Startup Visa adds the Startup Lithuania assessment phase (4–6 weeks) before the permit process begins. The investor residence permit takes 2–4 months from the qualifying investment being made. We provide a specific timeline estimate at the route assessment stage based on the applicant’s circumstances and current Migration Department processing times.

Yes — a non-EU national who owns and manages their Lithuanian company can work for it on either a national work permit or an EU Blue Card, provided they have a valid employment contract (or director service agreement) with the company and the company pays them at the required salary level. The company employing them must be properly registered with SoDra and the employment relationship must be legally structured before the permit application. The fact that the applicant is also the shareholder of the company does not prevent them from being an employee or director — the two roles are separate under Lithuanian law. We structure both the employment documentation and the immigration application for founder-directors of Lithuanian companies.

A Lithuanian temporary residence permit does not give the holder the right to live or work in other EU member states — it only authorises residence and work in Lithuania. However, holders of a Lithuanian temporary residence permit can travel within the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) without requiring a separate Schengen visa. For the right to live and work in another EU member state, a separate work permit or right of residence in that country is required. Under Directive (EU) 2021/1883, an EU Blue Card holder may qualify for long-term mobility to another participating EU Member State after 12 months of lawful residence as an EU Blue Card holder in the first Member State. The individual must satisfy the applicable conditions and procedures in the destination country. EU Blue Card mobility does not automatically provide an unrestricted right to work in every EU Member State.

The Lithuanian EU Blue Card salary threshold depends on the applicable salary category and the officially published average gross monthly earnings used for immigration purposes. For applications submitted from 12 May 2026, the relevant average gross monthly salary is EUR 2,411.40. The general 1.5-times threshold is therefore EUR 3,617.10 gross per month, while qualifying occupations eligible for the 1.2-times threshold require at least EUR 2,893.68 gross per month. The applicable salary threshold and qualification requirements must be verified against the rules in force when the application is submitted. The salary must be stated in the employment contract and must be paid by the Lithuanian company from its own funds — not reimbursed from a foreign parent. We confirm the current threshold at the start of every Blue Card application.

Yes. A spouse or registered partner who enters Lithuania on a family reunification permit is entitled to work for any employer in Lithuania — they are not restricted to working for the same employer as the primary permit holder or to any specific type of work. The family member’s right to work arises from the family reunification permit itself, not from a separate work permit. This is a significant practical advantage: a spouse can take up independent employment or establish their own business in Lithuania without a separate immigration application.

If the employing Lithuanian company is dissolved or the employment ends, the work permit and the associated temporary residence permit are typically linked to the employment relationship — termination of employment triggers an obligation to notify the Migration Department and may require the permit holder to leave Lithuania or change their immigration status within a specified grace period. For Blue Card holders, there is a 3-month period during which they can seek new employment in Lithuania without losing their status. For national work permit holders, the grace period is shorter and the position is more precarious. We advise on the correct procedure when employment ends and on the options available to maintain legal status in Lithuania.

Foreign-language documents submitted in Lithuanian immigration procedures must meet the translation and authentication requirements applicable to the relevant document and application. Where a Lithuanian translation is required, it must be properly certified in accordance with the receiving authority’s requirements. Lithuania does not operate a universal system under which every immigration document must be translated exclusively by a sworn translator officially certified by the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice. Apostille or legalisation requirements must also be assessed where applicable. Standard documents requiring translation include: criminal record certificates, educational diplomas, marriage and birth certificates, and any foreign legal documents. Passports issued in multiple languages including Lithuanian do not need translation. We coordinate certified translations through our network of sworn translators as part of the application preparation.

Ready to start your Lithuanian immigration process?

Contact us to book an immigration route assessment. We will review your nationality, qualifications, intended activity, and family situation, and provide a written recommendation of the most appropriate route with a realistic timeline and total cost estimate. We coordinate the immigration process with company registration and accounting setup so all three workstreams advance simultaneously.

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