EMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE
Recently, a large number of foreign citizens come to Lithuania for employment purposes. Despite the rather simple procedure for employment and stay in Lithuania for citizens of the European Union, third-country nationals are required to perform a number of actions that are not always clear or properly explained.
In general, in order for a foreign citizen to be able to reside in Lithuania on the basis of employment, certain steps must be taken.
The process of employment and residence in Lithuania
Find a job / employer
As a rule, this is done by searching for jobs on various Internet portals that regularly post job search ads. Main websites: cvonline.lt, cvbankas.lt, cv.lt, cvmarket.lt, as well as alio.lt, biuro.lt, randu.lt.
Get a work permit
In order to be employed, the employer must go through a certain procedure at the Lithuanian labor exchange (except in cases where the foreign person is a highly qualified worker or intends to work in a specialty included in the list of professions required in Lithuania). A foreign person is obliged to provide the employer with the necessary documents (documents confirming his qualifications, personal information, etc.). This procedure takes approximately one month, but there are exceptions based on specific job requirements.
Obtain a visa or residence permit
After the labor exchange issues a work permit or other similar document to a foreign person, you can apply for a visa or residence permit. The type of document depends on the work and qualifications. As a rule, in case of obtaining a work permit, employees apply for a national visa, which allows them to stay in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania for one year (after which it is possible to extend the work permit and obtain a new visa / residence permit). A residence permit is issued to those employees whose specialty is included in the list of professions in demand in Lithuania, as well as those earning more than 1.5 of the average salary in Lithuania.
A third-country national may be employed in Lithuania if the following documents are available:
Employment of foreign citizens in Lithuania
ABOUT PERMISSION
Usually issued for 1 year, on its basis, a foreigner in his country of origin receives a National visa (D).
– As a rule, a temporary residence permit in such a case (i.e. in the presence of a work permit) is not issued.
– There is no need to declare the place of residence or wait for a decision on issuing a temporary residence permit (the fastest option).
– A work permit must be obtained before arriving in Lithuania, otherwise, the labor exchange will refuse to issue it.
– Visa issuance takes 15 days.
PROCEDURE FOR ISSUE
1. The employer must submit an application to the labor exchange and register a free workplace. The advertisement must be valid for at least 14 calendar days.
2. Before issuing a certificate of receipt of documents, the labor exchange checks the compliance of the employer with all the requirements (the legality of his activities, the absence of information about bankruptcy, etc.).
3. Territorial divisions and the Lithuanian Labor Exchange make a decision within one month.
NO NEED FOR LABOR MARKET NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Foreign citizens who have a profession included in the list of professions in demand by economic activities. In this case, it is enough to have only a national visa for entry.
ABOUT SOLUTION
– If the employer has an obligation to pay the foreigner a salary in the amount of 3 average monthly gross salaries (before taxation) and employ him for a period of more than one year, you can immediately apply for a blue card confirming the foreigner’s right to live and work in Lithuania.
(In this case, or if the employee’s profession is included in the list of professions in demand (see below), a residence permit is issued in a general manner for 1 month, urgently – for 15 days).
– Issued in the presence of high qualifications and the obligation to pay a salary in the amount of at least 1.5 average monthly gross salaries in the country (before tax). In accordance with this decision, it is possible to obtain a temporary residence permit.
(At the same time, an application for a temporary residence permit is considered within 2 months in a general manner or 1 month in an urgent manner).
PROCEDURE FOR ISSUE
1. The employer must submit an application to the labor exchange and register a free workplace. The advertisement must be valid for at least 14 calendar days.
2. Before issuing a certificate of receipt of documents, the labor exchange checks the compliance of the employer with all the requirements (lack of information about bankruptcy, the legality of the activities carried out, etc.).
3. The Lithuanian Labor Exchange and its territorial subdivisions issue a work permit within one month.
NO NEED FOR LABOR MARKET NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Foreign citizens with a temporary residence permit whose profession is included in the list of professions in demand by economic activities, as well as persons who have graduated from a higher or vocational educational institution in Lithuania.
What categories of foreign citizens do not need to obtain a decision on compliance with the needs of the labor market (or a work permit)?
Third-country nationals who are family members of citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and have received a temporary residence permit or residence permit on the basis of family reunification or a family member’s card of a citizen of the European Union, confirming his right to temporary or permanent residence in the country.
Citizens of member countries of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Foreigners who have arrived in the country to work in a profession that is included in the list of professions in demand in the Republic of Lithuania that require high professional qualifications.
Foreigners who will receive a salary of at least 3 average monthly gross salaries (before tax). At the moment, this amount is 2,629.20 euros.
Foreigners who have worked in Lithuania for 2 years as a highly qualified specialist and apply for an extension of a temporary residence permit.
For foreigners whose profession is included in the list of professions in demand in the Republic of Lithuania, by type of economic activity: driver of vehicles for international transportation of goods, assembler of metal hulls of ships, seamstress, assembler of metal structures, concrete worker, tiler, roofer, plasterer, electrician, facade worker, bricklayer , plasterer-finisher (the list of activities is constantly updated).
Foreigners who, after graduating from a higher or vocational educational institution in Lithuania, intend to work in accordance with their qualifications. In this case, they must provide a document confirming the qualifications of a foreign citizen (diploma).
Sample license
