Lithuania has strengthened its regulations on international employment, limiting employment to those holding a valid residency permit.

Notwithstanding the tighter regulations, some groups will be excluded from them, such as educators, researchers, and nationals of economically developed nations.

Furthermore, the Lithuanian government has set a yearly quota of 40,000 for hiring third-country citizens. Such a figure constitutes 1.4 per cent of the number of permanent residents in Lithuania as of July 2023.

Such moves are part of a draft amendment to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners (UTPĮ) recently adopted by the Lithuanian government.

Stricter Rules for Companies Hiring Foreign Workers

More modifications that have been suggested by the relevant authorities include more stringent guidelines for international employment in Lithuanian businesses.

According to the new suggestions, businesses who want to engage foreign workers should have the necessary licences and shouldn't have been penalised for giving false or outdated information. In addition, they will have to hire employees for full-time jobs and provide the employer with pertinent details regarding the foreign worker's credentials and expertise.

Meanwhile, foreign workers will not be allowed to work for more than four employers in Lithuania.

According to the Minister of Interior Agnė Bilotaitė, these measures come as a response to the growing number of cases of violation of the Lithuanian migration system.

The control measures already in place and provided for in the amendments to the UTPE will help to respond more effectively to the current challenges posed by labour migration.
-Agnė Bilotaitė, Minister of the Interior

At present, 219,500 foreigners hold residence permits in Lithuania, of which nearly 116,000 are issued for employment reasons.

Almost 1,500 Foreigners Lost Residence Permits

During May 2024, Lithuanian authorities conducted several inspections following the calls for stricter labour regulations.

As a result, 1,483 foreigners lost residence permits, mainly for unsigned or terminated work contract issues. In addition, Lithuania prohibited 42 companies from submitting letters of mediation for the arrival of foreigners.

Due to the stringent rules, about 7,500 people have been denied the issuance or change of residence permits or have had their temporary residence permits revoked for violating migration laws. Moreover, Lithuanian authorities have issued nearly 4,000 decisions so far to ban entry to the country.