Work in Lithuania

In recent years, more and more job-seekers are coming to Lithuania. For EU citizens, the process of employment in Lithuania is fairly simple. Those arriving from other countries wishing to get a job in Lithuania should have a qualification required for the desired position, the evidences of such qualification as well as (in certain cases) evidences of having experience in the relevant sector of activities.  After that, a foreigner can apply for a work visa or a residence permit.

In short, for a foreign citizen to arrive to Lithuania to work, has to go through the following procedure: 

• Find a Lithuanian enterprise for employment

The general way to do this is by searching in various websites that regularly upload job vacancies. Lithuania's most popular job sites: Work in Lithuania, CV online, CV market, CV bankas, Voodoosales, Start up CV, CV.lt, Scobo. 

• Obtain a work permit

Once an employer/job placement has been found, the employer has to go through necessary procedures at a Lithuanian Employment Service. The list of documents required for providing a right to work and reside in Lithuania to a person depends on the character of the planned job, the qualification of the foreigner, the agreed salary and other circumstances. 

A third-country national can come to work in Lithuania with one of these documents:

1. work permit;
2. the decision on compliance with labour market needs.

*Unless a foreigner is exempt from obtaining a work permit, for more information see below.

The foreigner will have to submit documents to the employer (ex.: diplomas, training completion certificates, employment record etc.). This procedure can take about a month, though there can be exceptions based on the specific requirements for the job or the job itself (ex.: if the position requires a highly qualified worker, one might be excluded from this process entirely). In essence, this step is completed mostly by the employer.

• Get a visa/residence permit

Once the foreigner has obtained a work permit or a similar document issued by the Employment Service, he/she can apply for a visa or a residence permit. The type of document also depends on his job and qualification. To get a visa or a residence permit, your employer will have to submit a mediation letter (invitation). 

Who does not need to obtain a work permit (or a decision on compliance with labour market needs)?

• citizens of the EU and EFTA Member States;
• Third-country nationals who are members of the family of citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and who hold a temporary residence permit issued in the case of family reunification or who have a permanent residence permit or a card for temporary or permanent residence of a family member of a citizen of the EU;
• A foreigner whose profession is included in the list of shortage occupations by type of economic activity (in 2022 these occupations included: welder, metal hull assembler, tailor, butcher, international freight vehicle driver, concrete worker, electrician);
• A foreigner who comes to work in a profession that is included in the list of professions requiring a high professional qualification, whose staff is lacking in the Republic of Lithuania list;
• A foreigner who will be paid a salary of not less than 3 average monthly gross salary;
• A foreigner who has already worked in Lithuania for 2 years as a highly qualified worker and wishes to change the temporary residence permit;
• A foreigner who, having completed studies or vocational training program in Lithuania, intends to work according to the acquired qualification. In this case, a document confirming the foreigner's qualification (diploma) must be submitted.

A foreigner must obtain a work permit before arriving in Lithuania. A work permit for a foreigner may be issued if there is no specialist in Lithuania that meets the qualification requirements of the employer. A highly qualified worker is not required a work permit; he / she is subject to other conditions for issuance of a temporary residence permit prescribed by law.

Employment services are responsible for issuing, cancelling and renewing work permits.

An employer who wishes to recruit a foreigner must apply to the territorial labour exchange in whose territory the registered vacancy is registered. The procedure for submission of documents, the deadlines and the required documents are available on the website of the Lithuanian Employment Service.

Below is a summary of the various processes described. To find out more about a specific case, follow the links in the table.

More information about documents when coming to work to Lithuania

More information about employment of foreigners

Source: Employment Services and Migration Department