LITHUANIA
STUDY VISA

How to apply for a Lithuania student visa

If you’re a non-EU citizen hoping to study abroad in Lithuania for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a student visa (Visa D) and a temporary residence permit.

International students from EU, EEA, or EFTA countries are exempt from visa requirements and can enter Lithuania freely. However, if your program lasts longer than three months, you’ll need to get a certificate from the Minister of the Interior recognizing your right to live in Lithuania.

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APPLICATION STEPS: 

Here’s a simple breakdown of the Lithuanian Visa D and residence permit application process:

1. Accept a university place: Receive a formal admissions letter from your chosen institution and pay any required enrollment fees.

2. Schedule a visa appointment with a Lithuanian embassy: You can find a list of the official embassies and consulates in your home country here.

3. Download, print, and complete the visa application form: Make sure you fill in every section of the form with accurate and up-to-date information.

4. Gather supporting documents: You’ll need to present several supporting documents at your appointment, so it’s best to get these in order well in advance. You can find a breakdown of what you’ll need in the next section.

5. Attend your visa appointment: You must submit your application form, supporting documents, and pay the fee in-person before your application can be processed.

6. Wait for a decision: The turnaround time on applications is usually two weeks, but complex cases could take up to six weeks. The consulate will notify you when you can collect your passport and visa.

7. Electronically register for a temporary residence permit: You must submit an initial residence permit application through the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS).

8. Present your documents in-person at the same Lithuanian embassy in your home country: Before being issued with a residence permit, you’ll need to submit several supporting documents and have your biometric data recorded. This must be done within four months of your electronic registration.

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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

For the student visa (Visa D):

• A completed visa application form

• A recent passport-sized photograph of yourself

• A valid passport with an expiry date at least 6 months beyond the duration of your study program

• Formal admissions letter from your university

• Proof of sufficient financial resources (at least €150 for every month of your stay)

• Details of your accommodation arrangements and address

• Your flight itinerary (including return tickets)

• A health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €6,000

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FOR THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT: 

• A valid Visa D

• A valid passport

• An electronically submitted application through MIGRIS

• One passport-sized photograph of yourself

• Proof of financial means to cover your Lithuanian living costs

• A police clearance certificate from your home country

• Details of your health insurance policy (with coverage of at least €6,000)

• Means to pay the processing fee

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LITHUANIA STUDENT VISA PROCESSING TIME

The average visa processing time is two weeks, but you can begin the application process up to six months before you travel.

It's well worth starting your application as soon as possible because delays could mean it takes much longer for you to get your visa.

Can your family travel to Lithuania too?

If your family members are EU, EEA, or EFTA citizens, they can join you in Lithuania for up to 90 days without a visa. They can stay for longer, but they’ll need to seek permission and receive an official certificate from the Minister of the Interior.

Non-EU citizens will need to apply for a tourist visa, followed by a temporary residence permit if they hope to accompany you on your study abroad adventure.

Specific dependents’ visas for children and spouses are only granted in very rare circumstances. To qualify, international students must hold a temporary residence permit and have lived in Lithuania for at least two years.

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CAN YOU WORK ON A LITHUANIA STUDENT VISA? 

As an international student in Lithuania, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term-time, and full-time during the university holidays.

These permissions are automatically granted with your Visa D and residence permit, so you won’t need to apply for any additional work permits.

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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR VISA IS REJECTED? 

If your visa is refused, you’ll receive a letter from the Lithuanian consulate detailing the reasons behind the rejection. If you believe your application was mistakenly or unfairly denied, you can lodge an appeal within 14 days of receiving the decision.

You’re also free to re-apply at any time, but you must make sure you fix the issues in your first application. Submitting an identical application will only result in the same negative outcome.