yourmovemap

Moving to Lithuania

2 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.

Check which fits you
Family roots

Lithuanian citizenship restoration (pre-1940 ancestors)

Lietuvos Respublikos pilietybės atkūrimas (Law on Citizenship, art. 9 and 7)

Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of people who were Lithuanian citizens before 15 June 1940; dual citizenship is kept only if the ancestor left Lithuania before 11 March 1990.

What you need
  • Ancestor held Lithuanian citizenship between 16 Feb 1918 and 15 June 1940; applicant is a child, grandchild or great-grandchild. The right has no time limit.
  • To keep US citizenship: the ancestor left (or was exiled) before 11 March 1990, not to Soviet territory after 15 June 1940. Otherwise the applicant must renounce other citizenship.
  • Proof of the ancestor's pre-1940 citizenship (pre-war Lithuanian passport, or archival records of study, work, life in Lithuania before 15 June 1940); birth/marriage certificates for each generation; name-change proof. Foreign documents need an apostille and Lithuanian translation; copies notarized.
  • No language test reported for restoration.
Not for
  • Great-great-grandchildren
  • Descendants of people who left after 11 March 1990 who want to keep US citizenship
Where you apply
From home or inside the country. Migration Department (online via MIGRIS) or a Lithuanian embassy/consulate (US: Embassy in Washington, Consulate General in New York).
How long it takes
Statutory 6 months; in practice about 6-12 months, sometimes longer (secondary).
First permit
Not a permit.
Renewal
Not applicable.
0
Family
Each descendant applies.
Sources Embassy of Lithuania in the USA: Reinstatement of citizenship (official)Migration Law Center: Reinstatement of Lithuanian citizenshipWikipedia: 2024 Lithuanian constitutional referendum Checked 28 Oct 2026. General information, not immigration advice.
Treaties and special cases

Lithuania startup visa

Temporary residence permit for implementing new technologies or innovations (Startup Visa Lithuania)

Non-EU founders with an innovative startup idea that the Startup Visa Lithuania expert panel approves.

What you need
  • Positive evaluation of the startup by the Startup Visa Lithuania programme (Innovation Agency). After approval, a company must be set up within 120 days.
  • Means of subsistence of at least one minimum monthly wage per month for at least a year: EUR 1,038 a month in 2025, so EUR 12,456 for 12 months. (EUR 1,038 a month)
  • Health insurance of at least EUR 30,000, valid 12 months in the EU, covering repatriation. (EUR 30,000 a lump_sum)
  • Government documents legalised or apostilled; others notarised; translations into Lithuanian or English.
Not for
  • Remote workers or freelancers without a startup (Lithuania has no digital nomad visa)
  • Conventional small businesses
Where you apply
From home or inside the country. Apply online via migracija.lt, then give biometrics at a Migration Department office in Lithuania (if legally there) or at a VFS centre abroad (extra service fee EUR 30-120).
How long it takes
General procedure 1 month; urgent 15 days (programme guide), excluding delivery abroad.
First permit
Not stated in the guide for the founder; family permits are usually 2 years, renewable for 3. Secondary sources say the founder permit is also 2 years then 3.
Renewal
Renewable; separate renewal document list on migracija.lt.
Longer term
Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 10 years.
Family
Spouse and children can get temporary residence permits (usually 2 years, renewable for 3); the spouse may work without a work permit.
Sources Startup Lithuania: Startup Visa Lithuania guide (Aug 2025) (official)EMN ad-hoc query 2024.25 (Lithuania) (official) Checked 28 Oct 2026. General information, not immigration advice.