Thousands of foreigners who intend to dwell in the Baltic nation will likely be impacted by Lithuanian authorities' decision to tighten regulations pertaining to residency permit applications in an attempt to enforce stricter control over immigration rates.

As of December 1, 2024, only residents of nations with external service providers are eligible to apply for residence permits in Lithuania, the Lithuanian Interior Ministry said in a news statement. For instance, the foreign service provider based in India will only accept applications for such licenses from Indian nationals.

Such a decision was made taking into account modern migration trends and possible threats to the security of our state. Migration policy must meet national security interests, foreign policy priorities, labour market needs and the institutional capacities of our state. 
--Agnė Bilotaitė, Lithuania’s Interior Minister

Lithuania closed four external service provider offices in 2024 – those in Lebanon, Jordan, Nepal and Sri Lanka – which indicates that the new measure will directly affect applicants from these countries.

Certain Permit Applicants Can Apply for Lithuanian Residency Abroad

This measure applies to the majority of applicants from countries that do not have a branch for external service providers. However, applicants for residence permits that fall into the following categories are allowed to apply to a branch located in another country:

• Applicants for family reunification
• Applicants for highly skilled jobs.
• Applicants with study invitations from Lithuania universities, including candidates for doctorate studies.
• Applicants who are transferring jobs, such as joining as teachers or researchers with local institutions or visiting large investors.
• Applicants who are part of a collective relocation under Lithuania’s Investment Law.

Nepal Service Provider Branch Open Until December End

Applicants to this branch will be subject to new regulations because the foreign service provider's office in Nepal has closed.

The news statement states that foreign nationals who applied for residency permits before to September 1, 2024, are permitted to make appointments at the same branch through December 31, 2024.

After January 2025, they will be allowed to pick up their documents. Because of national security concerns, the branch of this service provider was shuttered in early September.

No Changes Will Apply to Citizens From These Countries