Lithuania is bound by the recast Qualification Directive (Standards Qualification Regulation) and has transposed its provisions through the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners 2015.

Length of the first and subsequent residence permits: According to Article 53 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, a permanent residence permit is issued for refugees for a period of five years and shall be renewed after the expiry of this period.

Review of the status: According to Article 53 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, a permanent residence permit may be reviewed at refugee’s request if:

1. A permanent residence permit may be renewed at a foreigner’s request if:
2. the foreigner changes his personal data;
3. the permanent residence permit becomes unfit for use;
4. the period of validity of the permanent residence permit expires;
5. the permanent residence permit contains inaccurate entries;
6. the permanent residence permit is lost.
7. the permanent residence permit was revoked and declared invalid, however, upon appealing the decision to revoke the permanent residence permit, the court applied measures to secure the claim to suspend the enforcement of the appealed decision

The Migration Department within the Ministry of the Interior assesses where the conditions for protection are still existing and if information is accurate. A personal interview may be conducted if the refugee expresses the willingness to do it. Free legal aid is guaranteed in the procedure of review of status. In case of withdrawal of protection status, an appeal may be submitted to the Administrative Court.

Renewal of the status: According to Article 55 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, the refugee shall lodge an application for the renewal to the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior before the expiration of the current residence permit. The Migration Department assess the documents and information submitted by the refugee and a personal interview may be conducted if the refugee expresses the willingness to do it. Free legal aid is guaranteed in the procedure of renewal of status. In case of withdrawal of protection status, an appeal may be submitted to the Administrative Court.

Withdrawal of the status: The decision to withdraw refugee status is taken by the Migration Department.

The withdrawal procedure is initiated when a notification is sent to the person. The reasons for withdrawal of refugee status are specified in the notification. This apply except in cases where the status is cancelled at the request of the foreigner. In such a case, a notification of the initiated cancellation procedure is not sent (p. 117 of the Asylum Procedure Description).

The person is also informed that he or she has 14 working days to inform the Migration Department in writing or orally regarding the reasons why protection should not be withdrawn. Decision regarding withdrawal has to be issued by Migration Department within 4 month since the start of the procedure.

The person has 5 working days to give his or her reasoning if the procedure is started because of conclusion of the State Security Department which states that person poses a threat to the state security, or because of conclusion of police department/State Border Guard Service that person poses a threat to the public order, or person was convicted for serious or particularly serious crime and court‘s decision entered into force. In this case decision regarding withdrawal has to be issued by Migration Department within 14 days.

Grounds for withdrawal of the status: According to Article 90(1) of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, refugee status granted to a foreigner shall be withdrawn if the foreigner:

has voluntarily re-availed himself of the protection of the country of their citizenship;

1. has voluntarily re-acquired their lost citizenship;
2. refuses refugee status in the Republic of Lithuania;
3. has acquired a new citizenship and enjoys the protection of the country of their new citizenship;
4. has voluntarily re-established themselves in the country which they left or outside which he or she remained owing to fear of persecution;
5. can no longer continue to refuse to avail themselves of the protection of the country of their citizenship because the circumstances in connection with which they have been recognised as a refugee in the Republic of Lithuania have ceased to exist;
6. being a stateless person they can return to the country of their former habitual residence because the circumstances in connection with which they have been recognised as a refugee in the Republic of Lithuania have ceased to exist;
7. has acquired refugee status in the Republic of Lithuania by fraud, except in cases where the information submitted by them did not have a decisive effect on the decision to grant him or her refugee status in the Republic of Lithuania;
8. has been granted refugee status although such status should not have been granted due to the circumstances provided for in points 1 to 4 of Article 88(2) (exclusion grounds);
9. there are serious reasons for considering their stay in the Republic of Lithuania as a threat to national security or they, having been convicted by a final judgment of a serious crime, constitute a danger to the community.

Consequences of the withdrawal of the status: Residence rights cease upon the withdrawal decision, unless the court halts the enforcement of the decision for the period of litigation. The individual is expected to leave the country within a specific timeframe.

Pursuant to Article 139(1)(5) of the Law on the legal Status of Foreigners the enforcement of a decision appealed against shall be suspended where the granted asylum is withdrawn and a foreigner is expelled from the Republic of Lithuania or returned to a foreign state.

Length of the first and subsequent residence permits: According to Article 48 (2) of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection shall be issued a temporary residence for two years and is reviewed every two years.

Review of the status: According to Article 40(1)(9) of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, a temporary residence permit may be issued or changed to a foreigner if he or she has been granted subsidiary protection in the Republic of Lithuania in accordance with the procedure established by this Law. During this procedure the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior assesses whether the conditions for protection are still existing and if information is accurate. A personal interview may be conducted if the holder of subsidiary protection expresses the willingness to do it. In case of withdrawal of protection status, an appeal may be submitted to the Administrative Court. State-guaranteed legal aid is ensured during the proceedings at the Migration Department and the court of first instance, but is not ensured during the proceedings at the court of appeal.

Renewal of the status: Subsidiary protection in Lithuania is considered granted until it is revoked by a separate decision in accordance with the relevant procedure. Therefore, during the procedure for changing the residence permit, only the grounds for initiating the procedure for revoking subsidiary protection are assessed, but the granting of subsidiary protection itself is not reconsidered during the change of the residence permit and there is no need for foreigners, who are granted subsidiary protection, to renew their status.

Withdrawal of the status: Migration Department is the authority responsible for withdrawing the status. First, the Migration Department informs an alien in writing about the initiated withdrawal procedure and provides the opportunity to submit written reasons why the subsidiary protection should not be revoked. After assessing the initial information, an alien is invited to an interview, during which he has the opportunity to explain in detail and without interruption why it is still not safe for him to return to his country of citizenship.

Decisions of the Migration Department may be appealed and state-guaranteed legal aid is provided for this purpose. State legal aid may be granted up to and including the court of first instance. If a foreigner wishes to appeal to the court of appeal when he/she is not satisfied with the decision of the court of first instance, he/she may do so at his/her own expense, using the services of private lawyers.

In order to receive state-guaranteed legal aid, a foreigner must express such a wish to the Migration Department, the Foreigners Registration Centre or the Reception and Integration Agency. Such aid is not automatically ordered without the foreigner’s request.

Grounds for the withdrawal of the status: According to Article 90 (2) of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners subsidiary protection granted to a foreigner shall be withdrawn if the foreigner:

1. may return to their country of origin because the circumstances in connection with which he has been granted subsidiary protection in the Republic of Lithuania have ceased to exist;
2. obtained subsidiary protection in the Republic of Lithuania by means of fraud, except where the information they submitted about themselves did not have a decisive effect on making the decision to grant them asylum;
3. obtained subsidiary protection although it should not have been granted or, upon granting them subsidiary protection, the circumstances specified in Article 88 of this Law transpired.
4. there are serious grounds to believe that their presence in the Republic of Lithuania poses a threat to national security or society.

Consequences of the withdrawal of the status: In the same manner as for refugee status holder, residence rights cease upon the withdrawal decision. The individual is expected to leave the country within a specific timeframe.

Legal provisions relating to the review, renewal and withdrawal of national forms of protection Article 131/1 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners

Length of the first and subsequent residence permits: 1 year in case of humanitarian grounds extended for no longer that one year

3 years in case of the persecution by a non-democratic regime and the entry into Lithuania has been mediated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Review of the status: The Migration Department within the Ministry of the Interior assesses where the conditions for protection are still existing and if information is accurate. A personal interview may be conducted in exceptional cases. In case of withdrawal of protection status, an appeal may be submitted to the Administrative Court.

Renewal of the status: Holders of national forms of protection shall lodge an application for the renewal to the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior before the expiration of the current residence permit. The Migration Department assess the documents and information submitted by the and a personal interview may be conducted if the holder of residence permit on humanitarian grounds expresses the willingness to do it. Free legal aid is not provided in the procedure of renewal of status. In case of withdrawal of protection status, an appeal may be submitted to the Administrative Court.

Withdrawal of the status:

The Migration Department is responsible for initiating the withdrawal of residence permit issued on humanitarian grounds. The procedural steps contain: identification of the legal grounds of withdrawal residence permit issued on humanitarian grounds, data analysis. A personal interview may be conducted as a part of withdrawal process. Free legal aid is not provided to individuals facing the withdrawal of residence permit issued on humanitarian grounds. The individual can appeal the decision to withdraw resident permit to the Administrative Court.

Grounds for the withdrawal of the status: The residence permit for humanitarian grounds shall be revoked if alien presents threats to public policy or national security or the reasons or circumstances due to which the residence permit was issued disappeared.

Consequences of the withdrawal of the status: The alien’s residence permit will be declared invalid, regardless of whether the foreigner appeals against the decision of the Migration Department to cancel his residence permit within 14 days, or not.

If the alien does not leave Lithuania within 14 days after the cancellation of the residence permit, a decision of his return will be issued.

Relevant legal provisions: Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners

• Article 94. Rights and obligations of foreigners who have been granted temporary protection in the Republic of Lithuania
• Article 108. Lithuanian state support for integration of foreigners
• Article 109. Organisation of integration of foreigners
• Article 110. Areas of Lithuanian state support for the integration of foreigners who have been granted asylum in the Republic of Lithuania

According to articles 86 and 87 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior is the only authority responsible for the status of refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection in Lithuania. Once the decision is made to grant refugee status or subsidiary protection, the Migration Department provides formal notification, detailing the status, rights, and obligations of the individual. Beneficiaries are generally informed in writing through an official decision document. This document outlines the granted status, and information about their rights. The person is informed of the essence of the decision in his/her native language or in the language he/she best understands.

Refugees:

In Lithuania, the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior is the authority responsible for issuing residence permits for beneficiaries of international protection.

Upon granting the refugee status, the refugee receives a permanent residence permit, which is valid for 5 years. Long-term resident status can only be granted after living in the Republic of Lithuania for 5 years.

However, when a refugee applies for a change of his residence permit, an assessment is initiated as to whether he or she still meets the criteria for granting refugee status. If circumstances are established due to which a refugee should no longer be entitled to protection, a procedure for revoking the status is initiated. Nevertheless, the refugee may still exercise the rights of a refugee until/if the decision of the Migration Department to revoke the refugee status comes into force.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

In Lithuania, the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior is the authority responsible for issuing residence permits for beneficiaries of international protection.

Subsidiary protection is reviewed every 2 years. After 5 years a beneficiary of subsidiary protection can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Refugees

According to Articles 37, 89 and 38 foreign national who is entitled to temporary or permanent residence in the Republic of Lithuania but does not possess a valid passport of a foreign national or an equivalent travel document or if it has been lost or destroyed and the foreign national cannot receive it from the competent institutions of their country of origin for objective reasons, may be issued a refugee’s travel document (Article 89(1) of the Law on the Legal Status of foreigners), according to the procedure established by the Minister of the Interior. Holders of international protection can ask to be issued, and request will be considered by the Migration Department. The travel document records the biometric data of the holder electronically for confirmation of identity - a facial image and two fingerprints other than Regulation (EC) No. Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004.

The document is valid for the period of their residence permit (5 years for refugees and 2 years for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection). A travel document is issued irrespective of the holder’s age, while a travel document for a person under 18 years of age is issued in writing with the consent of one parent or legal representative.

A state fee is charged for issuing and extending the refugee travel document.

Sate fee is not charged for the issuance of a stateless person's travel document, refugee's travel document and foreigner's passport, the issuance of national visas, the processing of documents for the issuance and replacement of a residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania, and the issuance and replacement of a residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania for persons under 16 years of age.

A refugee who has lost a travel document must immediately submit a free-form written notification of the loss of the travel document to the Migration Department in person, and if in a foreign country - to a consular office. In this notification, the refugee must indicate the circumstances of the loss of the travel document and the data of the lost travel document (if known).

The Migration Department or a consular office shall declare a lost travel document invalid in the personal document issuance system no later than the next working day from the date of receipt of the notification of the loss of the travel document. If the consular office does not have the technical capabilities to work with the personal document issuance system directly (in online mode), it shall forward this notification by e-mail (scanned) to the Migration Department no later than the next working day from the date of receipt of the notification of the loss of the travel document. A refugee may also submit a notification of the loss of a travel document to the Migration Department electronically

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

According to Articles 37, 89 and 38 foreign national who is entitled to temporary or permanent residence in the Republic of Lithuania but does not possess a valid passport of a foreign national or an equivalent travel document or if it has been lost or destroyed and the foreign national cannot receive it from the competent institutions of their country of origin for objective reasons, may be issued a passport according to the procedure established by the Minister of the Interior. The passport is issued and renewed for the period of validity of the foreigner's valid residence permit, but for no less than 3 months and no more than 5 years, and if it is temporarily impossible to read any of the foreigner's fingerprints, for no longer than 1 year. Holders of international protection can ask to be issued, and request will be considered by the Migration Department. The travel document records the biometric data of the holder electronically for confirmation of identity - a facial image and two fingerprints other than Regulation (EC) No. Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004.

The document is valid for the period of their residence permit (5 years for refugees and 2 years for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection). A travel document is issued irrespective of the holder’s age, while a travel document for a person under 18 years of age is issued in writing with the consent of one parent or legal representative.

A state fee is charged for issuing and extending the refugee travel document. State fee is not charged for the issuance of a stateless person's travel document, refugee's travel document and foreigner's passport, the issuance of national visas, the processing of documents for the issuance and replacement of a residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania, and the issuance and replacement of a residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania for persons under 16 years of age.

Beneficiary of subsidiary protection who has lost his/her passport must submit a free-form written notification of the loss of the passport to the migration service or any territorial police office in person, and if he/she is in a foreign country - to a consular office. In this notification, the foreigner must indicate the circumstances of the loss of the passport and the details of the lost passport (if known). An officer of the territorial police office must, no later than the next working day from the date of receipt of the notification of the loss of the passport, forward this notification or forward it by e-mail (scanned) or fax to the migration service of this institution. Notifications of the loss of the passport are placed in the file in accordance with the documentation plan. A foreigner may also submit a notification of the loss of the passport to the migration service of the place of residence electronically, using the electronic government service.

Refugees

Holders of international protection status enjoy the right of free movement under legal acts of the European Union. However, according to article 112 of the Law on the legal Status of Foreigners, freedom of movement may be restricted where it is necessary to ensure national security and public policy, to protect public health or morals, to prevent crime or to safeguard the rights and freedom of other persons.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

Holders of international protection status enjoy the right of free movement under legal acts of the European Union. However, according to article 112 of the Law on the legal Status of Foreigners, freedom of movement may be restricted where it is necessary to ensure national security and public policy, to protect public health or morals, to prevent crime or to safeguard the rights and freedom of other persons.

Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

Beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to work in Lithuania without restrictions and are treated as nationals. Beneficiaries can also apply for the recognition of professional qualifications, as defined by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Recognition of Regulated Professional Qualifications.

In addition, it was established that municipalities can develop employment support programmes for refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary or temporary protection.

Articles 3, 32, 94, 108 and 110 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners recognize the right to education in the case of minor foreigners, under pre-primary and general education programmes in accordance with the procedure established by the Minister of Education, Science and Sport. The right to study under a pre-primary and general education programme(s) shall be ensured not later than within three months from the establishment of the presence of minor foreigners in the Republic of Lithuania. Minors’ beneficiaries of international protection have the right to access education at all levels with the same conditions as Lithuanian nationals.

According to article 110 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, adults who have been granted refugee status or subsidiary protection have the right to access education in Lithuania under the same conditions as nationals. This includes both vocational education, post-secondary education, and higher education. Lithuania provides access to adult education programs, including vocational courses, language classes, and higher education institutions for adult learners.

Center for Quality Assessment in Higher Education assesses and recognises foreign vocational education qualifications, foreign general education qualifications, and foreign higher education qualifications.

The academic recognition of foreign qualifications by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) shall be carried out within one month from the receipt of all required documents, including any additionally requested documents. If it is established that not all documents necessary for recognition have been submitted, the examination of the application shall be suspended until the missing documents are received. If the requested documents are not submitted within three months from the date the request for submission was sent, the examination of the application shall be terminated.

The Research Council of Lithuania conducts the evaluation of doctoral degrees (in science or arts) obtained abroad and issues a certificate confirming whether the foreign qualification is recognised as equivalent (or not recognised as equivalent) to a doctoral degree in science or arts awarded in the Republic of Lithuania.

Beneficiaries can also apply for the recognition of professional qualifications, as defined by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Recognition of Regulated Professional Qualifications.

Refugees:

According to article 110 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, beneficiaries of international protection receive the same opportunities to support themselves and participate in public life as other members of Lithuanian society.

Support for integration begins at the Reception Centres, managed by the Reception and Integration Agency, or in other residential premises provided by the Agency from the date of signing the contract between the Agency and the asylum beneficiary for support for integration and continues in the territory of municipality, after the Agency has signed an agreement on integration support with the institution implementing integration which signs a contract with asylum beneficiary.

First integration stage

Support for integration in the Reception Centres, managed by the Agency, or other residential premises provided by the Agency is provided for up to 3 months from the date of signing an agreement for support of integration with the asylum beneficiary. If vulnerable persons fail to prepare for the continuation of integration within the municipality within a specified period, this period may be extended by decision of the director of the Agency. The total duration of support for integration at the Centre or other accommodation provided by the Agency may not exceed 6 months, except for unaccompanied minors. For unaccompanied minors who are aliens, their period of support for integration into the centre or other accommodation provided by the Agency may be extended until they reach 18 years of age.

For asylum beneficiaries in the Reception Centres or in other residential premises provided by the Agency The following support is provided for integration:

1. Free accommodation
2. Psychological assistance services
3. Social, healthcare, and legal consultations, including other legal services (except state‑guaranteed legal aid)
4. Intensive Lithuanian language and socio-cultural orientation courses for adults
5. Evaluation of professional skills and personal competencies
6. Access to labour market services, and implementation of active labour market policy measures, organized by territorial units of the Employment Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour

Foreigners residing in the Reception Centres are paid monthly allowances for meals and pocket expenses.

Integration is important to enable refugees to become fully involved in Lithuanian society and the labour market.

Second integration stage

After the end of the period of support for integration in the Reception Centres or other residential premises provided by the Agency, the director of the Agency shall take a decision regarding the provision of support for integration in the territory of the municipality. It lasts up to 12 months from the date of departure of the asylum beneficiary from the Reception Centres or other dwellings provided by the Agency.

If, within 12 months, vulnerable people fail to prepare for integration, the period may be extended to a maximum of 36 months.

Currently, three non-governmental organisations (Vilnius Archdiocese Caritas, Order of Malta Relief Organization in Lithuania and the Lithuanian Red Cross Organisation), who have won the tender, provide support for the integration of asylum beneficiaries with the territory of municipality. Other non-governmental organisations, municipal social support centres, etc. are also invited to participate in competitions.

Non-governmental organisations provide mentor services. Mentors help an alien to buy essential supplies, rent an apartment, pay cash benefits, organise a Lithuanian language training for an alien, organise a kindergarten visit, school education for children, advise foreigners on all matters, ensure an alien's visit to the Employment Service, help fill in and prepare the necessary documents, etc.

For the asylum beneficiaries during the II integration phase, a monthly cash allowance is provided for essential needs (housing rent, utilities, food, transport, etc.).

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

Same as for refugees

Refugees

According to article 110 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, refugees and subsidiary protection holders are automatically enrolled in Lithuania’s state health insurance system after their status is granted. Most basic healthcare services (such as primary care and hospital visits) are free of charge for beneficiaries of international protection, as they are covered under Lithuania's state health insurance system.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

Same as for refugees

According to article 110 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, beneficiaries of international protection are entitled to accommodation as part of their integration process. Upon the status is granted, individuals receive a monthly benefit to cover basic needs (food, clothing, hygiene products, public transport, rental of housing and public utilities) while residing in the territory of a municipality (as provided by Article 108 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners).

Refugees:

Under Article 110 of the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners, the Lithuanian state provides comprehensive support for the integration of foreigners who are beneficiaries of international protection. As part of this framework, Lithuania’s National Integration Programme for Refugees offers a robust support package designed to address both immediate and long-term integration needs. The program includes access to housing, language learning, vocational training, legal aid, healthcare, and other essential services.

For further details on specific integration programs and to access more resources, you can visit the official website of the Lithuanian Migration Department and other related institutions:

• Lithuanian Migration Department Website: www.migracija.lt
• Integration of Foreigners 

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

Same as for refugees

Refugees

Different conditions apply if the application is submitted within 6 months or beyond. 

The following family members are eligible to join a person who was recognised refugee status or subsidiary protection based on family reunion:

• parents of a foreign minor who was granted international protection in Lithuania.
• a spouse or a person with whom a registered partnership agreement has been concluded,
• minor children (adopted children), including minor children of the spouse or a person with whom a registered partnership agreement has been concluded, if they are unmarried and dependent on their parents, as well as first-degree relatives in the direct ascending line who are supported for at least one year and cannot benefit from the support of other family members living in a foreign country.

The requirements that family members need to meet once the grace period (of 6 months) expire are accommodation, health insurance and sufficient financial resources, list of trips and residence abroad.

Family members of the foreigners who were granted asylum (international protection) in the Republic of Lithuania may be excluded, if there are serious grounds for believing that, according to the grounds of refusal of issuance or renewal of a residence permit to a family member listed in Article 35(1) of the law on legal Status of Foreigners.

If a family member applies for international protection after arrival, the application is reviewed under normal procedures.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

Same as refugees