Conditions for submitting applications for temporary residence permits in Lithuania via an external service provider are tightened
In order to ensure effective control of immigration flows, the conditions for submitting applications for residence permits in Lithuania through an external service provider will be tightened from 1 December this year. The changes are also based on the current immigration trends and the capacity of the public authorities involved in the processing of applications to examine the submitted applications for temporary residence permits in Lithuania.
On the proposal of the Migration Department, the Minister of the Interior Agnė Bilotaitė signed an order stipulating that for all purposes of issuing temporary residence permits and national visas in Lithuania, only citizens of the State where the external service provider's branch is located will be able to apply to the external service provider's branch.
"This decision has been taken taking into account modern migration trends and potential threats to the security of our country. Migration policy must be in line with national security interests, foreign policy priorities, the needs of the labour market and the institutional capacities of our state," said Minister Bilotaitė.
Citizens of countries where there is no external service provider will be able to apply for a temporary residence permit in Lithuania through an external service provider in another country if they plan to come to Lithuania on the basis of family reunification, intend to work in a highly skilled job, or have been invited to study in our country's research and study institutions under approved study programmes, as well as at doctoral level. It is also possible to submit an application in another state if the foreigner is being transferred within a company or if he/she intends to come to Lithuania as a lecturer or researcher under a contract of employment with a research and study institution, or if he/she is coming to Lithuania to work for a large investor or on the basis of a collective relocation in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Investments.
In view of the decisions taken earlier regarding the external service provider's branch in Nepal, all foreigners who have chosen the external service provider's branch in the aforementioned foreign country before 1 September of this year when filling in their application for a temporary residence permit in Lithuania may choose to visit this branch until 31 December 2024 (the documents produced can be also collected from this branch after 1 January 2025).
Nationals of countries where there is no external service provider establishment will be able to apply for a national visa on all national visa grounds, except for the cases where the application would be for a national visa for a foreign worker on secondment to Lithuania or for a foreigner coming for seasonal work.
The conditions for applying at the India office remain unchanged - foreigners can apply if they plan to come to Lithuania on the basis of family reunification, intend to work in a highly skilled job, or if they are invited to study in our country's research and study institutions under approved study programmes, including doctoral studies. It is also possible to submit an application in India if the foreigner is being transferred within a company or if he/she intends to come to Lithuania as a lecturer or researcher under a contract of employment with a research and study institution, or if he/she intends.
The conditions for submitting applications remain unchanged for citizens of Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea - they will continue to be able to submit applications for a temporary residence permit or a national visa at any external service provider's branch.
This year, the number of external service providers has already been reduced from 34 to 30, with the closure of external service providers in Lebanon, Jordan, Sri Lanka and, as of 2 September this year, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.