National Visa (D) and Work Permit - Employment
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- Work permit: 7 business days; D visa: 15 working days
- Fee
- EUR 60 (D visa) + EUR 121 (work permit up to 1 year) or EUR 34 (seasonal up to 6 months)
- Validity
- National D visa issued for up to 12 months; work permit issued for up to 1 year. For longer stays, a temporary residence permit must be applied for.
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Foreigners who plan to work in Lithuania need to obtain two separate documents: a work permit and a National D visa (or temporary residence permit) to enter and stay. The employer submits the work permit application to the Lithuanian Employment Service (Labor Exchange). A quota applies to all professions and sectors; for 2026, there are 24,706 quotas available. To be eligible, the applicant must have qualifications relevant to the work AND one year of work experience in the last three years, OR a monthly salary not less than the last published average monthly gross salary (EUR 2,223.00). The foreigner's salary must be at least 1.2 times the average monthly gross salary (EUR 2,667.60), or at least equal to the average (EUR 2,223.00) if the profession is on the list of high value-added professions in shortage. The employer must submit a notification to the Social Security Fund Board (Sodra) through EDAS no later than 1 business day before the start of employment. If a 1-year national visa was granted, another can only be issued after 180 days have passed since the previous one expired.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss). EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals do not need a work permit. Third-country nationals holding permanent residence permits are exempt from work permits.
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Employment
Must have a confirmed employment offer from a Lithuanian employer with a valid work permit. Qualifications relevant to the work AND one year of experience in the last three years, OR salary at least equal to the average monthly gross salary.
Required status: Confirmed employment offer with valid work permit
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Financial
Salary must be at least 1.2 times the average monthly gross salary (EUR 2,667.60), or at least the average (EUR 2,223.00) for high value-added shortage professions.
Minimum funds: EUR 2,667.60 monthly salary
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Criminal record
Must not pose a threat to public order or national security.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 3
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Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 35x45mm colour photograph
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Proof of funds
Minimum amount: 1 minimum monthly salary (EUR 1,038 in 2025) for living expenses per month, plus 1 minimum monthly salary for return
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Travel insurance
Minimum coverage: 30000
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Evidence of suitable accommodation in Lithuania; Must cover full stay: No
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: National D visa application form; Form url: https://visa.vrm.lt/epm/
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: ["cash", "card", "bank_transfer"]; Amount: EUR 60 (D visa) + EUR 121 (work permit up to 1 year)
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Document gathering
Submit relevant documents to the Lithuanian employer. The employer submits the work permit application to the Lithuanian Employment Service (Labor Exchange).
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Processing wait
Wait for work permit issuance by the Labor Exchange, typically 7 business days.
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Online application
Once work permit is issued, apply for a National D visa at the Lithuanian consulate or diplomatic mission in your country.
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Appointment booking
Book visa appointment at Lithuanian embassy/consulate or VFS Global centre.
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Fee payment
Pay the D visa fee of EUR 60 and work permit fee of EUR 121.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric data at the visa appointment.
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Document submission
Submit all documents in person at embassy/consulate.
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Visa collection
Collect passport with D visa sticker. Upon approval, the employer must notify Sodra through EDAS no later than 1 business day before the employee starts work.