Lithuania work permit for Indians
Since 1 March 2024, Lithuanian residence permits can be applied for in India only for highly skilled work and a few other grounds, and national D visas cannot be filed in India. The 2026 work-permit quota was used up in early September 2026. For most candidates in India the realistic route is the EU Blue Card.
What is happening now in Lithuania
Two blockers for Meridian's audiences. (1) Since 1 March 2024 Lithuanian temporary residence permit applications in India are accepted only for family reunion, highly skilled employment, approved study, intra-company transfer and teaching/research staff, and national (D) visa applications cannot be filed in India. (2) The 2026 work quota of 24,706 was reached in early September 2026; above-quota permits need a salary of at least 1.2x the national average (EUR 2,893.68), or 1x (EUR 2,411.40) for high value-added shortage occupations. In practice, Indian candidates in India can use only the EU Blue Card or other highly skilled grounds.
migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026lrt.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026
Lithuania at a glance
| Status for applicants in India | EU Blue Card only from India |
|---|---|
| Usual route | EU Blue Card (Lithuania) home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026 |
| Who applies | Your employer, then you home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026 |
| Where to apply in India | VFS Global in New Delhi or Mumbai, booked through MIGRIS (highly skilled and a few other grounds only) migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026 |
| Official decision time | Within 2 months, or 1 month with an extra fee; if salary is at least 3x the average or the profession is on the shortage list, within 1 month, or half a month with an extra fee. home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026 |
| English test such as IELTS | Not in the official document lists we checked; employers may ask home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026 |
| EU Blue Card minimum pay | At least 1.5 times the most recently announced average gross monthly earnings (EU Immigration Portal). Using the EUR 2,411.40 average quoted by Work in Lithuania in 2026, that is about EUR 3,617 gross a month (our arithmetic; confirm the current average before publishing). home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026 |
Lithuania is in the EU and the Schengen area. Capital: Vilnius. Currency: Euro (EUR).
Which Lithuania work permit fits you?
Lithuania has 3 work routes that matter for candidates from India. EU Blue Card (Lithuania) is the usual first route; the details below come from the official pages linked under each one.
EU Blue Card (Lithuania)
ES mėlynoji kortelė (leidimas laikinai gyventi aukštos profesinės kvalifikacijos darbui)
- Who it is for
- Highly qualified workers with higher education (or at least 5 years of equivalent professional experience where the law allows). Can be filed in India.
- Who applies
- Your employer, then you
- Labour market test
- EU Immigration Portal (April 2025): an Employment Service decision is needed if the salary is below 3x the average monthly salary, unless the profession is on the shortage list or it is a renewal after two years. Whether this still applies after the 2024 amendments: not confirmed.
- Quota
- Exempt from the annual quota (Work in Lithuania).
- Minimum pay
- At least 1.5 times the most recently announced average gross monthly earnings (EU Immigration Portal). Using the EUR 2,411.40 average quoted by Work in Lithuania in 2026, that is about EUR 3,617 gross a month (our arithmetic; confirm the current average before publishing).
- How long it lasts
- 3 years; if the contract is shorter, contract length plus 3 months.
- Renewal
- Yes, on the same conditions; file 2-4 months before expiry.
- Family
- Family reunification immediately, no two-year wait; family members can apply for TRPs straight away.
- Long-term residence
- Permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal Blue Card residence in the EU, including at least 2 years in Lithuania; basic Lithuanian language and Constitution test.
- Official decision time
- Within 2 months, or 1 month with an extra fee; if salary is at least 3x the average or the profession is on the shortage list, within 1 month, or half a month with an extra fee.
- Government fees
- Not confirmed for the Blue Card specifically (general TRP fee EUR 160 / 320 urgent per Work in Lithuania; VFS India fee EUR 110).
Steps, in order
- 1Employer registers the vacancy with the Employment Service and submits the mediation letter in MIGRIS.
- 2Worker applies for the TRP (Blue Card) in MIGRIS; in India, books an appointment at VFS Global New Delhi or Mumbai through MIGRIS (highly skilled employment is an accepted ground).
- 3Optionally, after applying, worker may request a national visa valid for up to 5 months to travel (EU Immigration Portal; national visas cannot be filed in India).
- 4Worker collects the card and declares residence in Lithuania.
Documents
- Application form, valid passport, mediation letter number
- Proof of right to practise a regulated profession, or proof of high qualification
- Proof of adequate accommodation
- Criminal record certificates for the last 2 years (first permit), list of trips abroad
- Biometrics (2 fingerprints and face image)
Temporary residence permit for work (quota route)
Third-country nationals employed directly by a company registered in Lithuania for at least 6 months who are not on the EU Blue Card route. NOT available to applicants filing in India (see status alert).Show the rules, steps and documents
Leidimas laikinai gyventi (darbas)
- Who it is for
- Third-country nationals employed directly by a company registered in Lithuania for at least 6 months who are not on the EU Blue Card route. NOT available to applicants filing in India (see status alert).
- Who applies
- Your employer, then you
- Labour market test
- Employer must register the vacancy with the Employment Service at least 5 business days before issuing the mediation letter (Work in Lithuania). The separate Employment Service decision on labour-market compliance was removed by the 2024 amendments (Deloitte, secondary); the EU Immigration Portal (April 2025) still describes it, so treat the portal as outdated on this point.
- Quota
- Yes. Annual quota of work-based TRPs, capped at 1.4% of the permanent population (Deloitte, secondary). 2026: 24,706 (Work in Lithuania); 2025: 24,830. The 2026 quota was reached in early September 2026. Renewals are not counted. Exempt: EU Blue Card, Lithuanian graduates (up to 5 years after graduation), temporary protection, humanitarian and family-reunification permit holders.
- Minimum pay
- Inside the quota: proof of qualification plus at least 1 year of relevant experience in the last 5 years, or a salary at least the national average (Work in Lithuania); from 22 May 2026 one of three criteria (qualification, experience, or salary at least the latest average gross monthly salary) is enough (Ecovis, secondary). Once the quota is used up: at least 1.2x the average gross monthly wage (EUR 2,893.68), or 1x (EUR 2,411.40) for occupations on the high value-added shortage list.
- How long it lasts
- Usually 1-2 years (EMN Lithuania); EU Immigration Portal: no longer than 2 years.
- Renewal
- Yes. File at least 2 months but not more than 4 months before expiry (1 month for urgent renewals).
- Family
- EU Immigration Portal (April 2025): holders on the general work route are not entitled to be accompanied by family. 2026 amendments: other foreign nationals may qualify for family reunification after meeting residence and integration requirements (Ecovis, secondary).
- Long-term residence
- Permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence; Lithuanian language and Constitution test.
- Official decision time
- 45-90 days (Work in Lithuania). The EU Immigration Portal (April 2025) says up to 4 months, or 2 months with an extra fee.
- Government fees
- EUR 160 standard, EUR 320 urgent; mediation letter EUR 50 (Work in Lithuania). External service provider fee in India EUR 110 (Migration Department).
Steps, in order
- 1Employer checks the candidate's eligibility and registers the vacancy with the Employment Service at least 5 business days earlier.
- 2Employer submits a mediation letter to the Migration Department in MIGRIS and gives its number to the worker.
- 3Worker completes the TRP application online in MIGRIS and uploads documents.
- 4Worker books and attends an appointment (in Lithuania, or at an external service provider office in their country of citizenship) to hand in originals, give biometrics and pay the fee.
- 5If outside Lithuania, the worker needs a visa or other legal basis to travel; the TRP is collected where the application was filed or delivered.
- 6Worker declares their place of residence within 1 month of collecting the TRP.
Documents
- TRP application (MIGRIS)
- Valid passport
- Mediation letter number from the employer
- Proof of qualification and experience (or salary meeting the threshold)
- Proof of sufficient funds and/or regular income
- Proof of accommodation
- Health insurance (EU portal: sum insured EUR 6,000)
- Criminal record certificates from countries of residence in the last 2 years (first permit only)
- List of trips and stays abroad; biometrics (2 fingerprints and face image)
Sources for this route
workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026lrt.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026(secondary)deloitte.comchecked 24 Oct 2026(secondary)ecovis.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026(secondary)home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026123.emn.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026
National (D) visa for work (up to 1 year)
Workers with a work permit for jobs up to one year. Cannot be applied for in India.Show the rules, steps and documents
Nacionalinė viza (D) darbui
- Who it is for
- Workers with a work permit for jobs up to one year. Cannot be applied for in India.
- Who applies
- Your employer, then you
- Labour market test
- Requires a work permit obtained by the employer (EU Immigration Portal).
- Quota
- Not confirmed whether counted in the work quota.
- Minimum pay
- Not confirmed .
- How long it lasts
- Up to one year; cannot be renewed (EU Immigration Portal).
- Renewal
- No.
- Family
- Not confirmed .
- Long-term residence
- No direct path; a TRP is needed for longer stays.
- Official decision time
- Issued within 15 days (EU Immigration Portal, April 2025).
- Government fees
- Not confirmed .
Steps, in order
- 1Employer registers the vacancy and obtains a work permit.
- 2Worker applies at a Lithuanian embassy or external service provider (not possible in India).
Documents
- Electronic application, valid passport, photo
- Employer's mediation letter number and work permit
- Proof of sufficient funds; health insurance with sum insured EUR 30,000
Where do you apply for a Lithuania work visa in India?
VFS Global, New Delhi (4th Floor, 27 K. G. Marg) and Mumbai (Urmi Axis Building, Mahalaxmi West), for temporary residence permits only. Appointments are booked only through MIGRIS once the application shows 'Submitted to external service provider'. VFS service fee EUR 110.
Since 1 March 2024 TRP applications in India are accepted only for family reunion, highly skilled employment, study at approved institutions (including doctoral research), intra-company transfer, and teaching or research staff hired by a research or education institution. 'Foreigners in India will not be able to apply for temporary residence permits in Lithuania on all other grounds.' National visa applications cannot be submitted in India. More than 9,000 Indian citizens held valid Lithuanian residence permits on 1 Sept 2026 (Kun.uz, secondary).
migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026kun.uzchecked 24 Oct 2026(secondary)
The Lithuania process step by step, and how to check your status
Can you apply for Lithuania from Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, Ireland or New Zealand?
Migration Department rule since 22 Oct 2025: applications at external service provider offices 'can only be submitted by citizens of the country where the external service provider office is located'. Citizens of Australia, Japan, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea may use any office. Exceptions allowing a filing in another country: intra-company transfers, lecturers or researchers employed by a higher-education or research institution, major investors, and collective relocation under the Law on Investments. A person already legally in Lithuania can apply at the Migration Department in Lithuania. Whether a Blue Card applicant who is an Indian citizen may file in CA/US/UK/AU/NZ: not listed as an exception, so treat as no unless the Migration Department confirms.
| If you live in | What the official pages say |
|---|---|
| CanadaGenerally not | VFS office exists in Canada, but since 22 Oct 2025 it accepts only Canadian citizens (plus citizens of AU, JP, UK, US, NZ, KR) except for ICT, researchers/lecturers, major investors and collective relocation. An Indian citizen on a temporary visa in Canada generally cannot file there. |
| United StatesGenerally not | VFS office exists in the US (New York), but it accepts only citizens of the country where the office is (plus AU, JP, UK, US, CA, NZ, KR citizens) except for ICT, researchers/lecturers, major investors and collective relocation. An Indian citizen on an H-1B or F-1 generally cannot file there. |
| United KingdomGenerally not | VFS office exists in the UK, but it accepts only citizens of the country where the office is (plus AU, JP, UK, US, CA, NZ, KR citizens) except for ICT, researchers/lecturers, major investors and collective relocation. An Indian citizen on a UK visa generally cannot file there. |
| AustraliaGenerally not | VFS office exists in Australia, but it accepts only citizens of the country where the office is (plus AU, JP, UK, US, CA, NZ, KR citizens) except for ICT, researchers/lecturers, major investors and collective relocation. |
| IrelandGenerally not | No Lithuanian external service provider office in Ireland on the Migration Department's list of 30 countries. |
| New ZealandGenerally not | VFS office exists in New Zealand, but it accepts only citizens of the country where the office is (plus AU, JP, UK, US, CA, NZ, KR citizens) except for ICT, researchers/lecturers, major investors and collective relocation. |
migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026
Which jobs are in demand in Lithuania?
These occupations appear on official shortage lists, quotas or forecasts; each links its source. A list is not a job offer: every route still needs an employer who hires you.
International heavy goods vehicle drivers
Largest group of work-based permit decisions in 2024 (EMN Lithuania); heavy truck and lorry drivers on the ELA/EURES 2025 shortage list. Logistics sector says the 2026 quota ran out by end of July (LRT, secondary).
Welders and flame cutters
Welding gaining popularity among foreign workers (EMN Lithuania); ELA/EURES 2025 shortage list.
Concrete placers and finishers; plasterers
Concrete and plastering gaining popularity (EMN Lithuania); concrete placers on ELA/EURES 2025 list.
Building and related electricians; electrical mechanics
Electricity work gaining popularity (EMN Lithuania); ELA/EURES 2025 list.
Civil engineers; electrical engineers; industrial and production engineers
ELA/EURES 2025 shortage list for Lithuania. Engineers earning 1.5x the average can use the quota-exempt EU Blue Card.
Nursing professionals
ELA/EURES 2025 shortage list for Lithuania.
All 8 occupations, with sources, and how hiring works in Lithuania
Do you need IELTS or the local language?
No English or Lithuanian test appears in the official TRP or Blue Card document lists we checked. Permanent residence requires a test of Lithuanian language and the Lithuanian Constitution. A June 2026 presidential proposal would require a Lithuanian exam for a third TRP within ten years (not law).
What we can and cannot do for a Lithuania work permit
What we do
- Check your profile against the Lithuania rules on this page, and tell you plainly if a route is not open to you.
- Put your profile forward when an employer we work with in Lithuania is hiring for your occupation. We publish a vacancy only when we hold the employer’s demand letter and power of attorney. Open vacancies
- Help you prepare a complete, honest application file.
What no one can do, including us
- Guarantee a job, a permit or a visa. The Lithuania authorities decide.
- VFS appointments are booked only through MIGRIS once your application shows "Submitted to external service provider". migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026
What changed recently in Lithuania?
22 Sep 2026
Migration Department suspended new employment-and-entry applications at external service centres for citizens of Central Asian countries (temporary, no end date). India not named. Secondary source.
kun.uz30 Jul 2026 to 2026-09
2026 quota of 24,706 effectively exhausted by 30 July (about 4,100 slots left and 4,500 applications pending; Kun.uz reports it was reached in early September); above-quota salary thresholds EUR 2,893.68 (1.2x) and EUR 2,411.40 (1x, high value-added shortage jobs). Secondary source.
lrt.lt29 Jun 2026
President proposed a fixed-term work permit (up to 2 years, then 6 months outside Lithuania) and a Lithuanian language exam for a third TRP within ten years; quota cap stays at 1.4% of population. Proposal only. Secondary source.
lrt.lt22 May 2026
Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners in force: one of three hiring criteria suffices, 3-6 months to find a new job after a contract ends, more quota exemptions, Blue Card holders freer to change employer after 12 months. Further changes from 1 Nov 2026. Secondary source.
ecovis.lt22 Oct 2025
External service provider offices accept only citizens of the country where the office is (with listed exceptions); Dushanbe and other offices closed; visits booked only via MIGRIS. India restrictions remain; no national visas in India.
migracija.lrv.lt15 Oct 2025
2025 quota (24,830) nearly used: Migration Department stopped accepting new employment applications; above-quota permits only at 1.2x average (then EUR 2,667.60) or 1x for high value-added shortage jobs. Secondary source.
lrt.ltJul 2024 2025-01
Amendments replaced the shortage list by sector with a single annual quota (cap 1.4% of population), removed the Employment Service labour-market decision for quota cases, and added refusal grounds tied to employer conduct. Secondary source.
deloitte.com24 Jul 2024
Ministry of Economy and Innovation Order 4-404: list of high value-added shortage occupations (lower above-quota salary threshold of 1x the average). Consolidated edition from 10 June 2026.
e-seimas.lrs.lt1 Mar 2024
TRP applications in India limited to family reunion, highly skilled work, approved study, ICT and research/teaching staff; Jordan, Lebanon and Sri Lanka VFS branches closed for TRPs.
migracija.lrv.lt
Questions about Lithuania work permits
Can Indians apply for a Lithuania work permit from India?
Only on certain grounds. Since 1 March 2024 the VFS centres in New Delhi and Mumbai accept Lithuanian temporary residence permit applications only for family reunion, highly skilled employment (such as the EU Blue Card), approved study, intra-company transfer and teaching or research staff. Ordinary work permits and national (D) visas cannot be applied for in India.
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Is Lithuania's work permit quota full in 2026?
Yes. The 2026 quota was 24,706 work-based permits, and it was reached in early September 2026. After that, a permit is possible only if the salary is at least 1.2 times the national average (EUR 2,893.68 gross a month), or at least the average (EUR 2,411.40) for high value-added shortage jobs. EU Blue Cards are outside the quota.
workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026lrt.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026(secondary)kun.uzchecked 24 Oct 2026(secondary)
What salary do I need for a Lithuania EU Blue Card?
At least 1.5 times the latest average gross monthly earnings in Lithuania. With the EUR 2,411.40 average quoted in 2026, that is about EUR 3,617 gross a month. You also need higher education, or at least 5 years of equivalent experience where the law allows.
home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026
Can I apply for a Lithuania work permit from Canada, the UK or the USA on a work or study visa?
Usually not. Since 22 October 2025 Lithuania's VFS offices abroad accept applications only from citizens of the country where the office is, plus citizens of Australia, Japan, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea. Exceptions are intra-company transfers, researchers and lecturers, major investors and collective relocation. An Indian citizen on a Canadian, US or UK visa generally has to apply in India, where only the listed grounds are accepted.
migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026
How long does a Lithuania temporary residence permit take?
Work in Lithuania gives 45 to 90 days for a work permit application. For the EU Blue Card the official time is up to 2 months, or 1 month with an extra fee, and faster for salaries of 3 times the average or shortage-list jobs.
workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026
What are the government fees for a Lithuania work permit?
EUR 160 for a standard TRP application or EUR 320 for urgent processing, plus EUR 50 for the employer's mediation letter (Work in Lithuania). At VFS in India the service fee is EUR 110.
workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026workinlithuania.comchecked 24 Oct 2026migracija.lrv.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026
Do I need IELTS for a Lithuania work permit?
No English test such as IELTS appears in the official document lists for the temporary residence permit or the EU Blue Card. Lithuanian is tested only for permanent residence.
home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026
Can I change employer in Lithuania?
On the general work route the permit is tied to the employer and a change needs a Migration Department decision. From 22 May 2026, if your job ends you may get 3 to 6 months to find a new employer if you notify the Migration Department in time (secondary). EU Blue Card holders can change employer more freely after 12 months (secondary).
home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026ecovis.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026(secondary)
Can I bring my family on a Lithuania work permit?
With an EU Blue Card, yes, straight away. On the general work route the EU Immigration Portal (April 2025) says you are not entitled to bring family; under the 2026 amendments other workers may qualify after meeting residence and integration requirements (secondary).
home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026ecovis.ltchecked 24 Oct 2026(secondary)
How do I get permanent residence in Lithuania?
After 5 years of continuous legal residence. You must pass a test of the Lithuanian language and the Lithuanian Constitution. Blue Card holders can count EU residence but need at least 2 years in Lithuania.
home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026home-affairs.ec.europa.euchecked 24 Oct 2026
What we have not confirmed yet
We would rather show a gap than guess. These points are still open; a consultant checks them for your case.
- Whether India's restriction (only listed grounds) will be lifted, and whether any further change applies from 1 Nov 2026.
- Whether the Employment Service labour-market decision still applies to EU Blue Cards with salary below 3x the average after the 2024 amendments.
- EU Blue Card state fee amount (general TRP fee EUR 160/320 is from Work in Lithuania, a state programme, not the fee schedule itself).
- Contents of the high value-added shortage occupation list (Order 4-404, consolidated 10 June 2026) could not be extracted.
- Whether the President's June 2026 fixed-term permit proposal has passed the Seimas.
- Average gross wage figure to use for the Blue Card threshold at the time of publishing (EUR 3,617 is our arithmetic on the 2026 figure quoted by Work in Lithuania).
- WebSearch budget was exhausted before these items could be searched further.
Sources
- 1.EU Immigration Portal — Highly-qualified worker in Lithuania (EU Blue Card, last updated 1 Apr 2025) home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 2.Work in Lithuania (Invest Lithuania state programme) — Quota Q&A 2026 (updated 10 June 2026) workinlithuania.com, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 3.Migration Department of Lithuania — From 1 March 2024: no TRP applications in Lebanon, Jordan, Sri Lanka; India only for listed grounds (29 Jan 2024) migracija.lrv.lt, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 4.Migration Department of Lithuania — Temporary residence permit and national visa services: Republic of India (last updated 16 Jan 2026) migracija.lrv.lt, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 5.Ecovis Lithuania — Employing foreign nationals: new rules 2026 (secondary) ecovis.lt, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 6.Work in Lithuania (Invest Lithuania state programme) — TRP roadmap: process in Lithuania workinlithuania.com, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 7.Work in Lithuania (Invest Lithuania state programme) — TRP via external service providers (6 Feb 2026) workinlithuania.com, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 8.LRT (Lithuanian public broadcaster) / BNS — Lithuania nears annual foreign worker quota (30 July 2026) (secondary) lrt.lt, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 9.Deloitte Lithuania — Changes in the regulation of the employment of foreigners (2024-2025 amendments) (secondary) deloitte.com, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 10.EU Immigration Portal — Employed worker in Lithuania (last updated 1 Apr 2025) home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 11.European Migration Network Lithuania — Foreigners in Lithuania (statistics) 123.emn.lt, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 12.Migration Department of Lithuania — Changes to the list of countries where TRP or national visa applications can be submitted (from 22 Oct 2025; updated 7 Jan 2026) migracija.lrv.lt, checked 24 Oct 2026
- 13.Kun.uz — Lithuania suspends work visa applications from Central Asian citizens (23 Sept 2026) (secondary) kun.uz, checked 24 Oct 2026
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.