Residence Permit in Lithuania

Viktoriia KorotkevichKlientų aptarnavimasPeržiūrėti eksperto profilį →

In this article, the specialists of Company in Lithuania UAB will describe in detail the procedure for applying for a temporary residence permit in Lithuania for third-country citizens in the question-answer format.

Non-EU/EEA nationals may apply for a temporary residence permit in Lithuania on the basis of lawful business activities if they meet the requirements established by Article 45 of the Lithuanian Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners. Merely establishing a Lithuanian company, becoming its shareholder or being appointed as its director does not automatically entitle a foreign national to a residence permit. The company must satisfy the applicable requirements concerning genuine business activity, operational history, financial resources and employment, while the applicant must meet the relevant ownership, management and general immigration conditions.

I am a member of a company that, at least for the last 6 months before applying for a residence permit in accordance with the business plan, carries out the activities specified in the constituent documents in the Republic of Lithuania, where regular citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, another EU Member State or EFTA member State, or foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Lithuania, whose combined gross monthly remuneration amounts to at least twice the most recently published average monthly gross earnings in Lithuania for the relevant calendar year, as determined under the applicable provisions of the Lithuanian Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners. The qualifying employees must work full-time and meet the statutory citizenship or permanent residence requirements. The applicable average wage figure must be verified for the year in which the application is submitted., and the cost of equity (not in the case of JSC, and not CJSC assets) is at least 28,000 euros, of which at least 14,000 euros are funds or other assets invested by me, and I am the head of this company or a shareholder of a joint–stock company or a joint-stock company for which the nominal value of the company’s shares owned by the right of ownership is at least 1/3 of the authorized capital of this company.

What are the requirements for the company and for me if I want to get a temporary residence permit?

Requirements for the company:

• A business plan according to which activities are carried out for at least 6 months.
• Citizens of Lithuania, another EU or EFTA member state, or foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Lithuania, whose gross monthly salary is not less than 2 average monthly salaries of employees of the national economy for the last quarter announced by the Lithuanian Statistics Department, work full-time.
• The cost of equity is at least 28,000 euros.
• In the Republic of Lithuania, the activity is carried out for at least 6 months in accordance with the business plan.

Requirements for the applicant:

• The applicant must meet the ownership and management requirements applicable to the selected residence permit category. Under the standard business activity route, the applicant may qualify as the head of an eligible company or as a shareholder of a Lithuanian public limited liability company (AB) or private limited liability company (UAB) holding shares with a nominal value representing at least one-third of the company’s authorised capital. Where the applicant relies on the shareholder route, the required personal investment of at least EUR 14,000 must also be satisfied. Being appointed as a director does not eliminate the company’s separate financial, operational and employment requirements.
• In the case of JSC or CJSC, you must own shares of the company with a nominal value of at least 14 thousand euros, and in the case of IĮ (individual enterprise), MV (small community) or TŪB (real economic community), the contribution (cash or other property) to the company or society must be at least 14 thousand euros.

1. I am the director of a Lithuanian company and intend to work in that company. Can I obtain a temporary residence permit? A foreign national appointed as the director of a Lithuanian company may qualify for a temporary residence permit under the lawful business activity provisions if the company satisfies the applicable requirements, including genuine business activity in Lithuania for at least six months, the required equity capital or asset value, and qualifying full-time employment. The applicant must demonstrate that the purpose of residence is to manage or work in the company and must satisfy the general immigration requirements. Appointment as a director alone is insufficient.

I am the head of a company that, at least for the last 6 months prior to my application for a residence permit, in accordance with the business plan, has been engaged in the activities specified in the constituent documents in the Republic of Lithuania, on the territory of which citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, other EU Member States or EFTA member states, or foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Lithuania, whose gross monthly salary is not less than 2 average monthly salaries of employees of the national economy for the last quarter announced by the Department of Statistics of Lithuania (including salary data of individual enterprises), work full–time, and whose own capital (assets – not in the case of JSC, and not CJSC) is at least 28,000 euros, and the purpose of my arrival is to work in this company.

What are the requirements for the company and for me if I want to get a temporary residence permit?

Requirements for the company:

• A business plan according to which activities are carried out for at least 6 months;
• Citizens of Lithuania, another EU or EFTA member state, or foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Lithuania, whose gross monthly salary is not less than 2 average monthly salaries of employees of the national economy for the last quarter announced by the Lithuanian Statistics Department, work full-time
• The cost of equity is at least 28,000 euros
• In the Republic of Lithuania, the activity is carried out for at least 6 months in accordance with the business plan

Requirements for me:

• You must be the head of the company;
• You need to confirm that the purpose of your arrival is to work in the company.

2. I am a shareholder or manager of a company registered in the Republic of Lithuania and have invested at least EUR 260,000 in the company’s equity capital or assets. Can I qualify for a temporary residence permit under the substantial business investment provisions?

I am a member of a company that, at least during the last 6 months before applying for a residence permit, carries out activities in the Republic of Lithuania specified in the constituent documents, where at least five jobs have been created and citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, another EU Member State or EFTA member States or foreigners, permanently residing in the Republic of Lithuania, are full–time employees and in whose capital (not in the case of JSC and CJSC – assets) I have invested at least 260,000 euros, and I am the head of the company or a shareholder of a joint-stock company or a joint-stock company, owning by right of ownership shares of the company with a nominal value of at least 1/3 of the authorized capital of this company.

What are the requirements for the company and for me if I want to get a temporary residence permit?

Requirements for the company:

• The company’s activities in the Republic of Lithuania are carried out for at least 6 months;
• At least five jobs have been created, and citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, other EU member States or EFTA member states, or foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Lithuania work full–time in the company;

Requirements for me:

• You must be the head of the company or a shareholder of a joint stock company or a joint stock company with at least 1/3 of the authorized capital of the company;
• Under the substantial business investment route, the foreign applicant must have invested at least EUR 260,000 in the company’s equity capital or, where applicable, assets. For a Lithuanian AB or UAB, the applicant must also satisfy the statutory ownership or management requirements, including holding shares with a nominal value representing at least one-third of the company’s authorised capital where relying on shareholder status. The company must have conducted genuine business activities in Lithuania for at least six months and created at least five qualifying full-time jobs. The EUR 260,000 investment requirement should not be confused with a universal requirement that the nominal value of the applicant’s shares must independently equal EUR 260,000 in every case.