ALIENS’ WORK IN THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

Exempting from the Obligation to Obtain a Work Permit

Citizens of an EU Member State and their family members intending to work in the Republic of Lithuania shall not be required to obtain a work permit.

An Alien’s Obligation to Obtain a Work Permit in the Republic of Lithuania

An alien who intends to work in the Republic of Lithuania must obtain a work permit in the Republic of Lithuania, except same cases where the alien is exempted from the obligation to obtain a work permit. An alien must obtain a work permit before entering the Republic of Lithuania.

A work permit may be issued to an alien if there is no specialist in Lithuania meeting the employer’s qualification requirements.

An alien shall be exempt from the obligation to obtain a work permit if:

  • 1) the alien holds a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania
  • 2) the alien holds a permanent residence permit.

Time Limits for the Examination of Applications to Issue a Work Permit

An alien’s application to issue a work permit in the Republic of Lithuania must be examined within two months from the date of receipt of the application at the Lithuanian Labour Exchange.

Validity of a Work Permit

A work permit shall be issued to an alien for a period of up to two years, specifying the job (position) and the enterprise, agency or organisation at which the alien will be employed. An alien who enters the Republic of Lithuania to take up seasonal employment shall be issued a work permit for a period of up to six months in a year starting from the first day of entry into the Republic of Lithuania.

An alien who enters the Republic of Lithuania for employment as an intern or trainee shall be issued a work permit for a period of one year and its period of validity may be extended on an exceptional basis, when the period of internship or traineeship is longer than one year and the extension is necessary for acquiring qualification in an appropriate area.

Taking Up Employment by Aliens

An alien may take up employment in the Republic of Lithuania under a contract of employment or, if the alien’s permanent place of employment is abroad, the alien may be sent for temporary employment in the Republic of Lithuania.

An employer may conclude a contract of employment only with an alien in possession of a work permit, except same cases specified in Law acts. The contract of employment must be concluded and a copy thereof, approved in the manner established by legal acts, must be submitted by the employer to the local labour exchange office for registration within two months from the day of issue of the work permit. An alien’s pay may not be less than that paid to a resident of the Republic of Lithuania for performing the same work.

An alien’s employment relations shall be regulated by the Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania, this Law and legal acts of the European Union.

Grounds for Withdrawal of a Work Permit in the Republic of Lithuania

An alien’s work permit shall be withdrawn:

  1. if the permit has been obtained by fraud;
  2. upon termination of the alien’s contract of employment;
  3. in case of termination of employment relations with the foreign employer who had sent the alien for temporary employment in the Republic of Lithuania;
  4. the alien’s temporary residence permit is withdrawn;
  5. the alien’s contract of employment has not been registered within the time limit specified in Law;
  6. where it has been established that the alien does not meet the necessary conditions for the issue of work permits.

Unlawful Work or Unlawful Engagement in Other Activities in the Republic of Lithuania

An alien’s work or engagement in other activities in the Republic of Lithuania shall be considered unlawful, regardless of whether remuneration is received or not, if the alien:

  1. works without a work permit and/or contract of employment and a temporary residence permit or visa, where the possession thereof is required;
  2. is engaged in other activities for which he has no permit, where such permit is required, and is not in possession of a temporary residence permit or a visa;
  3. studies at an education establishment, takes part in an internship programme, undergoes in-service training or takes part in vocational training without a temporary residence permit or a visa, except for the cases specified in same cases of the Law.