As of 1 November, the geography for submitting applications for temporary residence permits and national (D) visas will change, while the acceptance of Schengen visa applications will remain unaffected
Starting 1 November this year, following a decision by the Ministry of the Interior to close the external service provider VFS Global centres in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, nationals and permanent residents of these countries intending to travel to Lithuania for studies or other long-term stay purposes will be able to submit applications to the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania for the issuance of national (D) visas or temporary residence permits through those VFS Global visa application centres that will be indicated on the website of the Migration Department:
The VFS Global visa application centres representing Lithuania in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan will continue to accept applications for Schengen visas, which are intended for short-term stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period) in the Schengen Area for purposes such as tourism, business, official visits, family visits, medical treatment and similar activities. Schengen visas do not provide a basis for long-term residence, studies or employment in Lithuania. Applications for Schengen visas are examined and decisions on their issuance are taken by the diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Republic of Lithuania abroad.
It is important to emphasise that a Schengen visa is not an alternative to a national (D) visa or a residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania, and possession of a Schengen visa does not confer the right to work in Lithuania. Although both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania cooperate with the same external service provider, VFS Global, the procedures for issuing Schengen visas and for issuing national (D) visas and temporary residence permits are separate, and cooperation with VFS Global is carried out under different contractual arrangements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible solely for the organisation of the Schengen visa issuance process, whereas policy and application intake arrangements for national (D) visas and temporary residence permits fall within the competence of the Ministry of the Interior.
For the latest information on the procedures governing the issuance of national (D) visas and temporary residence permits, as well as any changes to these procedures, please consult the website of the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania at www.migracija.lt. Individuals planning to submit applications after 1 November 2026 are encouraged to familiarise themselves in advance with the updated procedures and document submission requirements.
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