🛃 Migracijos departamentas

National visa (D)

The national D visa lets you enter Lithuania and stay legally beyond 90 days — issued for up to 12 months. Since July 2023 Lithuanian embassies no longer take applications: abroad they are filed via the Migration Department's external service provider. The decision comes within 15 calendar days, extendable to 45. For employment, the inviting company first files a mediation letter via MIGRIS (fee — 50 EUR).

Service passportUpdated: 28.07.2026.
Cost
120 EUR + provider fee
Duration
Decision in 15–45 days
Deadline
A new visa — only after a 180-day break
Where
External provider / MD in Lithuania

Who this applies to

Third-country nationals planning to stay beyond 90 days — for work, studies or lawful activity. Plan ahead: after a one-year national visa expires, a new one can be issued only after more than 180 days. For longer plans, go straight for a temporary residence permit — with a one-year visa, file the permit application 1.5–3 months before it expires.

Step by step

Arrange the grounds

For employment the inviting company files the mediation letter via MIGRIS (50 EUR) — you'll state its number in the visa application. Studies and other grounds need purpose-proving documents.

File the application

Fill in the application in MIGRIS and attend at the booked time: abroad — at the provider's visa centre, in Lithuania — at the Migration Department. The state fee is 120 EUR; the visa centre adds its own service charge.

Await the decision

The decision takes 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 if extra checks are needed. Book travel only after receiving the visa.

Common mistakes

Expecting the embassy to take the application — since July 2023 only the external provider does abroad.
Planning visa-after-visa — after a one-year D visa a new one comes only after 180 days; choose a residence permit for longer plans.
Filing the permit application late — do it 1.5–3 months before the visa ends to stay in Lithuania during examination.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the national visa cost?

The state fee is 120 EUR (in special cases, e.g. Ukrainian citizens who lost a residence permit, 60 EUR). Abroad the external provider's service charge applies on top.

How does the D visa differ from a residence permit?

The visa is a temporary basis for up to 12 months with no immediate renewal; the temporary residence permit is a full status that can be renewed and leads to permanent residence. For studies the permit is issued for two years at once.

Official sources

See also