Work in Lithuania for foreigners 2026: work permit and visa (non-EU citizens)

🟢 Updated: 2026-11-03

A short, verified guide for third-country nationals who want to work in Lithuania: who files what, what it costs, what salary is required now that the quota has run out, and what changed on 1 November 2026.

In short

A non-EU/EEA citizen needs a temporary residence permit (TRP) on the basis of work, issued by the Migration Department. A separate Employment Service “work permit” for regular jobs is no longer required since 2025-01-01; it remains for seasonal work and posted workers.
The employer starts the process: a mediation letter (“tarpininkavimo raštas”) in the MIGRIS system (state fee €50, per migracija.lt).
The 2026 quota (24,706) was exhausted on 2026-09-07. A work TRP can now be issued only if the salary is at least 1.2 AGS = €2,893.68 gross per month, or 1 AGS = €2,411.40 for professions on the high-value-added shortage list.
From 2026-11-01 a foreigner already in Lithuania can apply for a work TRP only with a valid TRP, a Lithuanian national visa, another Schengen/EU residence permit, or visa-free status. A Schengen visa no longer qualifies.
State fee for a TRP: €220 (urgent €440) since 2026-10-03.

Step by step

Find an employer able to hire a foreigner (it must have operated for at least 6 months). See jobs with accommodation and jobs for English speakers.
The employer files the mediation letter in MIGRIS: it commits to hire for at least 6 months and a full-time norm; since 2026-09-01 the letter also states the salary.
The foreigner files the TRP application based on that letter and books a visit (VFS Global centre abroad, or the Migration Department if already lawfully in Lithuania and meeting the conditions valid from 2026-11-01).
Pay the state fee: €220 (standard) or €440 (urgent).
The application is reviewed within up to 3 months (45 calendar days if urgent), per migracija.lt.
After a positive decision the permit card is issued (new card issuance fee €75, urgent €150).

Employer and employee requirements

The employer has operated for at least 6 months and hires for ≥ 6 months at a full-time norm.
The employee has the qualification and at least 1 year of experience in the last 3 years in the job function or is paid at least the AGS. Separate rules apply to graduates of Lithuanian programmes and holders of Ukrainian temporary protection (different letter purpose).
The salary is paid throughout the permit’s validity.
Highly qualified workers (e.g. EU Blue Card) have different conditions – see migracija.lt.

Quota and salary thresholds 2026

The 2026 quota was 24,706 (all professions and sectors). On 2026-08-21, 22,552 had been used and ~5.6 thousand applications were pending; on 2026-09-07 the Migration Department announced the quota was exhausted. The 2027 quota will be set by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.

Case	Minimum gross salary
Regular profession after the quota is exhausted	1.2 AGS = €2,893.68 per month
Profession on the high-value-added shortage list	1 AGS = €2,411.40 per month

AGS (BDU) is the latest published average monthly gross wage published by the State Data Agency. See your take-home pay in the salary calculator.

From 2026-11-01: where you can apply inside Lithuania

A foreigner (not an EU or Schengen citizen) may file a work-based TRP application with the Migration Department inside Lithuania only in these cases:

What you hold	Can you apply after 2026-11-01?
Valid TRP on another basis in Lithuania	Yes
Residence permit of another Schengen/EU state	Yes
Lithuanian national visa	Yes
Right to be in Lithuania visa-free	Yes
Schengen visa (issued by Lithuania or another state)	No
National visa of another country	No

In other cases the application goes through the external provider VFS Global. Belarusian citizens apply at VFS Global offices in Armenia and Georgia. Nothing changes for highly qualified workers.

Changing employer and renewals

TRP change application: the quota does not apply; the Migration Department accepts it if no more than 6 months remain on the current permit.
State fee for changing employer or job function: €100 (urgent €165).

National visa D, seasonal work, posted workers

For standard employment the TRP is obtained via the mediation letter and VFS Global / the Migration Department. The Employment Service issues permits only for seasonal work and posted workers; the national visa D is used in exceptional cases (e.g. seasonal work longer than 90 days). Confirm your exact route on migracija.lt.

Avoiding scams

The employer files the mediation letter – never pay for a “guaranteed permit”.
State fees are paid only to the tax inspectorate (payment code 5740); the official list is at migracija.lrv.lt.
Check that the employer exists and that the contract matches the advert (salary, schedule, accommodation).

FAQ

Do foreigners need a work permit in Lithuania?

A non-EU/EEA citizen needs a temporary residence permit on the basis of work, issued by the Migration Department. Employment Service permits remain only for seasonal work and posted workers.

How much does a residence permit cost in 2026?

Since 2026-10-03 the state fee for issuing or changing a TRP is €220 (standard) or €440 (urgent), per migracija.lrv.lt. Issuing a new permit card costs €75 / €150.

What salary is required now that the quota is used up?

The 2026 quota was exhausted on 2026-09-07. A salary of at least 1.2 AGS (€2,893.68 gross per month) is now required, or 1 AGS (€2,411.40) for professions on the high-value-added shortage list.

What changes on 2026-11-01?

A foreigner in Lithuania can apply for a work TRP only with a valid TRP, a Lithuanian national visa, another Schengen/EU residence permit or visa-free status. A Schengen visa or another country’s national visa no longer qualifies.

Who files the mediation letter?

The employer, through MIGRIS. It commits to hire for at least 6 months at a full-time norm.

Sources

Verified: 2026-11-03.

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