After the amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners entered into force on July 1, 2024, transparency requirements for Lithuanian companies employing foreign nationals have been tightened, and additional restrictions introduced for foreign nationals employees.
Effective immediately:
- It is mandatory to conclude a minimum six-month employment contract with the employed foreigner.
- The foreign national must be employed full time.
- The employer must EITHER pay the foreign national a monthly salary of at least the last published average monthly gross salary for the calendar year (currently EUR 2013.8) OR to provide information about the foreign national’s relevant qualifications AND at least one year of work experience in the last three years. Previously, either qualifications or experience was sufficient.
- The company must have been carrying out the activity for which the foreign national is invited for at least the last six months.
- Foreign nationals are now permitted to work for no more than four employers. All additional employers will need to be specified by the employer providing the mediation letter.
- It is now possible to submit a request for permission to change employer only after six months from the date of obtaining the existing temporary residence permit.
- The employer must have any necessary licenses and/or permits for the activities to be carried out by the foreign national.
- The employer must not have been penalized administratively for not reporting changes in the foreign national’s data or for providing false data or other assistance to the foreigner in obtaining an immigration document; or for allowing illegal work, undeclared work or violations of the procedure for hiring foreigners in the past year; or for providing false data, or illegally obtained or forged documents.
- There must be no serious reason to believe that the company is fictitious or that the foreign nationals it invites may pose a threat of illegal migration.
If the Migration Department determines that the company intending to employ a foreign national fails to meet any of these requirements, it will be prohibited from employing foreign nationals for six months from the date of determination of such circumstances.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.