Moving from Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan to Lithuania: residence routes explained

Lithuania is an EU and Schengen country with a growing number of founders and professionals from Central Asia. If you hold a Kazakh or Uzbek passport, there is no single “move to Lithuania” visa: you need a legal ground for living there, such as a job, a startup or a business. This guide explains the main routes so you know what exists and where to check the details.

Who decides, and where you apply

Residence permits in Lithuania are decided by Lithuania’s Migration Department. Applications are made online through its system, MIGRIS, followed by an in-person visit to give fingerprints and show original documents. No agent, adviser or company can make the decision for you.

Two documents come up again and again:

• Temporary residence permit (TRP). The main document for living in Lithuania. Invest Lithuania’s Work in Lithuania guide says it is generally issued for up to two years and can be renewed. Renewal applications go in at least two months, and no earlier than four months, before the current permit expires.
• National visa (D). A long-stay visa valid for up to one year. It cannot be renewed or extended, and is often used to start working while a TRP application is processed.

A short trip to visit companies or attend an event is different again. Kazakh and Uzbek citizens need a Schengen short-stay visa for that, applied for at the consulate of the main destination. The European Commission’s visa page sets out the current fee and processing times. A Schengen visa does not give a right to live or work in Lithuania.

Route 1: a job with a Lithuanian employer

The most common route starts with a job offer. The employer leads the process: Invest Lithuania explains that the employer submits a mediation letter through MIGRIS confirming its intention to hire you, before you apply for your permit. A TRP based on work is tied to that employer and job, and changing jobs means telling the Migration Department.

Lithuania also manages annual quotas for some third-country workers through its Employment Service. Highly qualified workers above certain salary levels may be exempt. Check the current position before you plan around a particular role.

Route 2: the EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a combined residence and work permit for highly qualified professionals. The EU Immigration Portal’s page for Lithuania lists these conditions at the time of writing (October 2026):

• a highly qualified job with a Lithuanian employer, on a contract of at least six months
• a higher education diploma, or 5 years of professional experience at an equivalent level, or 3 years of ICT experience within the last 7 years
• a gross monthly salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross wage, or 1.2 times for occupations on the shortage list

The salary threshold is linked to official average wage figures that change regularly, so check the current figure on the Migration Department’s site. According to the EU Immigration Portal, the standard card is valid for three years, or for the length of the contract plus three months if that is shorter.

The European Commission adds two useful points. Family members can join Blue Card holders on a fast-track basis. And after 12 months, a holder can move to a second EU country under simplified rules. The Blue Card does not apply in Denmark or Ireland.

Route 3: the Startup Visa

Lithuania’s Startup Visa is run by Startup Lithuania for innovative non-EU founders. Its official site describes the process:

1. Apply online with a pitch deck and details of the founders, team, product and business plan.
2. Pitch on a 30-minute video call.
3. An expert committee assesses the application.
4. If approved, you receive a confirmation letter and apply to the Migration Department for a visa and TRP.
5. You must formally establish the business within 120 days of receiving the TRP.

The site says the permit is for two years, with the option to extend to five, and that family members can also receive permits. It is clear that the confirmation letter does not guarantee approval: the Migration Department makes the final decision. Startup Lithuania also says it does not charge applicants, and has warned about people falsely claiming to represent the programme and asking for money.

Route 4: owning or running a Lithuanian company

There is also a route for people who own or manage a company that is actually operating in Lithuania. The conditions are set in Lithuanian law and cover matters such as the company’s activity, its capital and the jobs it creates. The Migration Department checks that the business is genuine.

Because these conditions are detailed and change from time to time, we do not repeat them here. Check the current requirements on the Migration Department’s website, or with a qualified lawyer, before you set up a company with residence in mind.

Before you apply: practical points

• Start with the purpose, not the permit. The right route depends on what you will actually do in Lithuania. Choosing a route that does not match your real plans is one of the most common reasons for trouble later.
• Allow time. Invest Lithuania puts a typical TRP decision at 45 to 90 calendar days after submission, not counting the time to gather and translate documents.
• Translations and legalisation. Documents from Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan usually need certified translations, and some need legalisation or an apostille. Check what the Migration Department asks for.
• Family. Many routes allow family members to join, but conditions differ. Check them for your route before you move.
• Beware of shortcuts. Anyone promising a guaranteed permit, or asking you to pay for a “place” in a government programme, is not telling the truth. No one can guarantee a residence permit.

This guide is general information. It does not tell you which route to choose. For advice on your own situation, speak to the Migration Department or a qualified lawyer.

How Mavericks Settle helps

Mavericks Settle guides founders, investors, professionals and families from Central Asia through the move to Europe: understanding the routes, preparing paperwork, opening a bank account and settling in. Legal steps are handled by our regulated partner law firms, and decisions are made by the authorities alone. No one can guarantee a residence permit. We make sure you go through it properly.