On what grounds is a residence permit issued?
Residence permit on the basis of reunification of families;
This section is intended for family members of third-country nationals (countries that are not members of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association) or citizens of the Republic of Lithuania who have not resided in any EU member state since 2004.
If your family member resides in Lithuania and meets the criteria described below, you can join them and obtain a temporary residence permit. A residence permit is typically issued for two years and can later be extended for four years.
You may stay in Lithuania as long as the family member you are joining resides there, unless you have received a residence permit for another reason.
If your spouse intends to enter the Republic of Lithuania on a national visa, in the cases described below, you can obtain a national visa for the same period.
Residence Permit for Employment
You can come to Lithuania to work. If you plan to work seasonally or on assignment, you can obtain a national visa. In other cases, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit. A temporary residence permit is typically issued for 2 or 3 years to highly qualified workers and can be extended later.
Residence Permit for Studying at a Lithuanian Higher Education Institution or College;
You can come to Lithuania to study. If you are coming to Lithuania to study under an international or student exchange program concluded between a Lithuanian and a foreign higher education institution, or if you are a teacher or researcher coming under a copyright contract or to implement a state program, you can obtain a national visa. If you intend to study at a higher education institution registered and operating in Lithuania (full-time study), or to work as a teacher or researcher under an employment contract, apply for a temporary residence permit.
If you hold a valid temporary residence permit issued by another EU Member State or a national visa for study purposes and are participating in a programme funded by the European Union or its member states that facilitates the mobility of third-country nationals within the European Union, or in an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, you may enter the Republic of Lithuania to continue part of your studies and stay in the Republic of Lithuania without a visa for up to 360 days, and you also have the right to work. If you hold a valid temporary residence permit or national visa issued by another EU Member State for research and development, you may enter and stay in the Republic of Lithuania without a visa for a maximum of 180 days within any 360-day period to conduct part of your research and development work at a research and development institution. Your family members who hold a valid temporary residence permit or national visa issued by another European Union Member State have the right to enter and stay in the Republic of Lithuania for the same period as you.