The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Lithuania has announced significant changes to its residence permit application process, set to take effect in December 2024. These adjustments aim to tighten regulations for applicants using external service providers. Under the new rules, only citizens of countries where Lithuania operates external provider offices will be eligible to apply for residence permits.
This article explores the current residence permit process in Lithuania, recent changes, and their implications for applicants.
Who Can Apply for a Residence Permit in Lithuania?
The revised rules stipulate that residence permit applications from abroad will only be accepted from citizens of countries hosting Lithuanian external service provider offices. This policy maintains the status quo for citizens of 30 nations, including India, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea.
For these countries, the procedure for obtaining residence permits remains unchanged, providing applicants with consistent access to Lithuania's immigration services.
Countries Where External Service Provider Offices Have Been Closed
Lithuania has been scaling back its network of external service provider offices in recent months, citing security concerns and operational priorities.
On September 2, 2024, Lithuania closed its external service provider office in Nepal, marking the latest closure due to national security concerns. Applicants who submitted their residence permit applications through this office before September 1 can schedule appointments until December 31 and will receive their documents after January 1.
In addition to Nepal, Lithuania has also shut down external provider offices in Lebanon, Jordan, and Sri Lanka this year. This reduction has brought the total number of operational offices down from 34 to 30.
Implications for Applicants
The new measures underscore Lithuania's commitment to enhancing national security while streamlining the residence permit application process. However, these changes also limit access for citizens of countries where external provider offices are no longer operational.
Applicants affected by the closures will need to explore alternative pathways for applying, such as traveling to a neighbouring country with a Lithuanian office or pursuing applications within Lithuania itself.
By December 2024, these stricter regulations are expected to fully reshape how residence permits are processed abroad, impacting both applicants and service providers.