This country is becoming a popular destination for professionals and families who plan to immigrate to Lithuania from South Africa. As a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, Lithuania offers access to the EU market, a stable legal environment, and a well-structured immigration system for non-EU nationals. Our law firm in Lithuania is ready to offer comprehensive legal services for obtaining a visa, residency in this country, and Lithuanian citizenship.
Table of Contents
Visa types in Lithuania
South African citizens intending to immigrate to Lithuania are required to apply for the appropriate visa according to the intended stay duration. The available visa types are:
- Schengen visa (Type C): issued for short-term stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for: tourism, business meetings, conferences, or family visits;
- National long-term visa (Visa D): issued for stays of up to 12 months for: employment, business, studies, internships, or other purposes;
- Visa for employment purposes: issued with the proof of a confirmed job offer from a Lithuanian employer and, where applicable, with labor market approval;
- Business or startup visa: issued for entrepreneurs or company directors intending to establish a business in Lithuania;
- Study visa: issued for students admitted to accredited Lithuanian educational institutions.
The advice of our immigration lawyers in Lithuania can be essential in determining the most appropriate visa for the intended stay.
Eligibility criteria for South African citizens in Lithuania
To relocate from South Africa to Lithuania, the intending person must fulfill the following eligibility criteria according to the Lithuanian immigration law:
- Must have a legitimate reason for seeking Lithuanian immigration. This could be: employment, business, studies, family reunification, or other legal grounds;
- The applicant must not be subject of a Schengen entry ban or have a history of immigration violations;
- The applicant is not allowed to be a threat to public order, national security, or public health;
- The person should be eligible for employment, where applicable, with labor market approval;
- The South African citizen must be engaged in genuine economic activities and be actively involved in the management of the business in the case of business relocation to Lithuania;
- The applicant should be of appropriate age (minimum 18), possess legal capacity, and be compliant with Lithuanian regulations;
- The applicant must intend to reside in Lithuania for the declared purpose of immigration.
Short stays in Lithuania
South African citizens are considered third-country nationals and require the necessary Lithuanian visas/ residence permits prior to their relocation in Lithuania from South Africa. Immigration legislation in Lithuania can become strict at some points. That is why a number of applicants seek the help of our immigration lawyers in Lithuania to comply with the legislation and avoid refusal of their application.
Visa D and residence permit in Lithuania
A national long-term visa (Visa D) enables South African citizens to move to Lithuania from South Africa for a period of one year. This type of visa is usually the first step towards obtaining legal residence in Lithuania. If you plan to relocate to Lithuania from South Africa for work, business, studies, or other family reasons, you need a temporary residence permit. These are issued for one or two years.
Common grounds for immigration to Lithuania include working for a company based in Lithuania, starting and managing a business, studying at an accredited institution of higher learning, and family reunification. Each of these has its own set of rules and regulations that need to be met. Benefit from the support of our Lithuanian lawyers in order to ease this process and comply with the local regulations.
Documents required for visa or residence permit applications
When applying for a Lithuanian visa or residence permit, South African citizens are required to submit the following documents:
- Valid passport with sufficient validity (at least 3 months beyond the intended date of departure);
- Completed visa/ residence permit application form;
- Recent biometric photographs;
- Proof of accommodation in Lithuania;
- Sufficient financial means;
- Health insurance valid in Lithuania;
- Criminal record certificate issued in South Africa (apostilled, if required);
Moreover, depending on the purpose of the application, additional documents may be required. Our Lithuanian attorneys can help you prepare the list of documents that will be required for the application and ensure that it meets the standards set by the Migration Department in Lithuania.
Permanent residence and citizenship in Lithuania
After five years of consecutive and legal stay in Lithuania, South African citizens have the right to apply for permanent residence status. Permanent residency in Lithuania provides greater legal protection and stability, and the rights and privileges enjoyed by its holders are greater than those of temporary residency permit holders.
Permanent residency holders do not need to renew their permits as often, and their right to stay in Lithuania is more secure. After holding permanent residency status and fulfilling the legal conditions, the process for obtaining citizenship in Lithuania can begin. The Lithuanian citizenship by naturalization process requires the individual to have continuously stayed in Lithuania for at least 10 years, to know the Lithuanian language, and to have been socially integrated in the country.
Data on immigration to Lithuania
Current statistics released by the Lithuanian Migration Department presents an overview of major migration trends in Lithuania from 2024 to 2025, with a focus on changes in foreign residency and labor-related migration:
- Total foreign residents: by January 1st, 2025, approximately 217,000 foreign nationals were legally residing in Lithuania;
- Labor migration dominance: by 2025, more than 106,000 foreigners were granted temporary residence permits for labor-related purposes.
For more information and support in the legal process of moving to Lithuania from South Africa, do not hesitate to contact us.