Lithuania is easing some migration processes to make recruitment from abroad smoother. We’re sharing the main changes to take place starting in August 2022.

EU Blue Card

• The minimum length of the employment contract is now 6 months (instead of 1 year)

• Those working in a high value-adding profession (e.g., ICT, Engineering, Life Sciences) must now get a 1.2 average monthly gross salary in Lithuania. In other cases, the salary threshold of 1.5 average monthly gross salary still applies

• ICT professionals now need at least 3 years (instead of 5) of relevant professional experience within 7 years before the application for the EU Blue Card

Temporary residence permit on the grounds of work

• The minimum length of the employment contract is now 6 months (instead of 1 year)

• Those wishing to obtain a residence permit need to adhere to only one of the following criteria: qualifications, professional experience (at least 1 year within 3 years before application), or salary threshold (1 average monthly gross salary in Lithuania)

• Applications for residence permits will also be carried through dedicated service providers outside of Lithuania starting January 2023

Other important changes

• International Bachelor’s students can get hired now. No labour market test needed

• The list of approved companies is being annulled

• Starting July 2023, those wishing to relocate to Lithuania for work will only need a temporary residence permit on the grounds of work (national visas on the grounds of work won’t be issued anymore)

• Foreigners occupying a one-off position in a company must get at least 1 average monthly gross salary in Lithuania