In a significant move to streamline immigration and residence application services, Lithuania’s Ministry of the Interior has announced major updates to the list of countries where foreigners can apply for temporary residence permits or national visas through external service provider offices.
The revised order, effective October 22, 2025; reshapes Lithuania’s global visa processing network, expanding access in some regions while winding down operations in others.
What’s Changing?
Starting from October 22, external service provider offices in Albania, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Tajikistan, and Venezuela will be closed. Meanwhile, new offices are being opened in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe, marking Lithuania’s growing engagement with new geographic regions.
These changes come after thorough consultations with employers, universities, and public institutions to better align visa services with current migration trends, labor needs, and student mobility. The updated list is part of the broader initiative to enhance efficiency and accessibility for applicants seeking to live, work, or study in Lithuania.
Where Applications Can Now Be Submitted?
Following the update, foreigners can now submit applications for Lithuanian temporary residence permits or national visas through VFS Global offices operating in 30 countries worldwide. These include:
Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, the Philippines, Ghana, India, Israel, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, New Zealand, South Africa, Georgia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
Special Provisions for Select Countries
Normally, foreigners can only apply for Lithuanian visas or residence permits in the country where the external service office is located. However, exceptions have been introduced for Azerbaijan, Ghana, and Mongolia, where applications may be submitted for specific purposes such as:
- Family reunification
- High-skilled employment
- Enrollment in Lithuanian universities or doctoral programs
Applicants who are lecturers, researchers, major investors, or employees being relocated within a company may also apply from another country under specific provisions of Lithuania’s Law on Investments.
Restrictions and Unchanged Conditions
The same selective restrictions already in place in India remain unchanged — applicants there cannot apply for Lithuanian national visas, only for residence permits under special conditions.
Citizens of Australia, Japan, the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea will continue to enjoy unrestricted access to apply for both temporary residence permits and national visas through any VFS Global office.
New Appointment Booking System
Alongside the location updates, Lithuania is modernizing its visa application scheduling system. From October 22, applicants must book their appointments exclusively through the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS) at www.migracija.lt.
To reserve a visit, applicants must log into their MIGRIS personal account, check the status of their application, and use the “Book a Visit” option to choose the appropriate VFS Global office and time slot.
Why This Update Matters?
Lithuania’s new order reflects a broader strategic approach to migration management — balancing accessibility for genuine students, skilled professionals, and investors, while tightening logistical control through centralized systems like MIGRIS. The expansion into countries such as Ghana and Vietnam underscores Lithuania’s intent to attract diverse talent pools and strengthen international mobility ties, particularly in education and high-skilled labor sectors.
These reforms mark a new chapter in Lithuania’s global outreach and its commitment to making the residence and visa application process more transparent, digital, and responsive to evolving international needs.