New rules for issuing certificates of permanent residence in Lithuania for EU citizens

      With effect from 01.11.2007, a description of the procedure for issuing a certificate approving the right of a citizen of an EU Member State allowing permanent residence in the Republic of Lithuania came into effect.

      The description specifies cases based on which EU citizens and members of their families who have resided in Lithuania less than five years, may be issued certificates validating their right to permanently reside in Lithuania.

      EU Member State citizens wishing to obtain a certificate must generally apply in person to the Migration Department through the Migration Agency within whose service territory they declare or intend to declare their place of residence. In addition, separate groups of persons defined in the Law have to provide the Migration Agency with other documents.

      Once a person submits all the requisite documents, a file regarding the right to permanently reside in Lithuania is compiled. An application by an EU citizen has to be reviewed and decided not later than within one month after filing with the Migration Agency. The description also stipulates grounds for forfeiture of the right of EU citizens to permanently reside in Lithuania. If an EU citizen changes their residence in Lithuania, the local Migration Agency, upon request, transfers the file to the Migration Agency local to the new place of residence. Required forms include:

      - register of applications to approve the right of an EU Member State citizen to permanently reside in the Republic of Lithuania, form of personal data of a foreigner,

      - register of issuance of applications for approval of the right of an EU Member State citizen to permanently reside in the Republic of Lithuania,

      - register of decisions regarding the right of an EU Member State citizen to permanently reside in the Republic of Lithuania.

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      New procedure for issuing work permits to foreigners residing in Lithuania

      On 05.10.2007 an Order of the Minister of Social Security and Labour came into effect changing some provisions relating to issuance of work permits to foreigners residing in Lithuania.

      The Order repeals the requirement for employers wishing to employ a foreigner to provide the territorial labour exchange with a copy of the registration certificate of a legal entity. In addition to other requisite documents, an employer wishing to employ a foreigner will now have to provide the territorial labour exchange with a copy of a document evidencing the foreigner’s three-year work experience according to their professional qualification over the preceding five years.

      The Order establishes a new shortened term of one month for analysis of a request by an employer to issue a work permit to a foreigner, i.e. a high qualification specialist. Additionally, employers must register a vacancy one month in advance before applying to the territorial labour exchange. Upon expiry of a work permit, a foreigner is required to leave Lithuania and may not be employed in Lithuania for at least one month from expiry of the work permit.

      Additional information: Mantas Rimkevicius

      e-mail: mantas.rimkevicius@sorainen.lt