1. Labor Market Test

1. Register the Vacancy

   • The Lithuanian employer must post the job opening at the Employment Service (Užimtumo tarnyba) for about 14 working days to allow Lithuanian/EU/EEA candidates to apply.

2. Obtain Labor Market Test Confirmation

   • If no suitable local/EU candidate is found, the Employment Service provides a document allowing the employer to hire a third-country national.

Estimated Time: ~2 weeks

2. Work Permit Application

1. Employer Submits Work Permit Application

   • Documents required typically include:
     • Application form
     • Proof of labor market test
     • Draft employment contract
     • Company registration documents, job description, etc.

2. Processing

   • The Employment Service reviews the application and issues a work permit if everything is in order.

Estimated Time: ~2–4 weeks

3. Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) & Double Legalization (India)

For many residence or long-stay visa applications (especially for a Temporary Residence Permit), Lithuania requires a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from the applicant’s home country. Because the Indian PCC must be recognized in Lithuania, double legalization (or legalization + apostille + consular legalization, depending on the exact requirement) is typically required:

1. Obtain PCC in India

   • The applicant must apply for a PCC through local authorities or the Passport Seva Kendra.
   • Processing times vary by region, but often take 1–2 weeks or more.

2. Legalize/Apostille the PCC

   • Once issued, the PCC is usually attested or apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India.

3. Legalization by the Lithuanian Embassy

   • After the MEA attestation/apostille, the PCC may need further legalization (sometimes called “consular legalization”) at the Lithuanian Embassy in India to be accepted by Lithuanian authorities.

Estimated Time for PCC + Double Legalization: ~2–4 weeks (sometimes longer, depending on local processes)

Tip: Start the PCC process early so it’s ready when you begin the visa/TRP application. Delays in PCC legalization are a common bottleneck.

4. MIGRIS Registration (If Applying for a TRP)

If the Indian national (employee) is applying for a Temporary Residence Permit rather than just a National (D) Visa, they often need to register and submit an application via the MIGRIS portal:

1. Create an Account on MIGRIS

   • The applicant (or a legal representative) creates an account on the official Lithuanian migration platform: www.migracija.lt (MIGRIS system).

2. Fill Out Application & Upload Documents

   • Upload digital copies of the work permit, PCC (with legalization), passport, job contract, proof of health insurance, etc.
   • Pay the required application fee online (depending on the chosen processing speed).

3. Receive an Application Number (MIGRIS Number)

   • The system generates a unique application number which the applicant may need to reference when visiting the Embassy or the Lithuanian Migration Department.

4. Interview or Biometrics (if requested)

   • Some applicants may be required to attend an interview or provide biometrics at the Lithuanian Embassy/Consulate in India or later in Lithuania.

Estimated Preparation & Submission Time: ~1–2 weeks (depending on how quickly documents are gathered, uploaded, and fees are paid)

5. Visa or Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) Application in India

Depending on whether the employer and employee choose a National (D) Visa or a Temporary Residence Permit, the application steps differ slightly:

A. National (D) Visa

• Validity: Up to 12 months; suitable for shorter-term or seasonal work.
• Where to Apply: Lithuanian Embassy/Consulate in India.
• Processing Time: ~2–4 weeks (can vary by embassy workload).

B. Temporary Residence Permit (TRP)

• Validity: 1–2 years, renewable.
• Where to Apply:
  1. Online MIGRIS application (step 4) and
  2. In-person at the Lithuanian Embassy in India for biometrics/identity verification if required.
• Processing Time: ~1–3 months or longer (depending on case complexity and the Migration Department’s workload).

6. Arrival in Lithuania

1. Enter Lithuania

   • Once the visa or TRP is granted, the Indian worker can travel to Lithuania within the validity of the issued visa/permit.

2. Declare Place of Residence

   • Typically within 7 days of arrival, the worker must declare their residence (address) to the local Migration Department or municipality.

3. Finalize Employment

   • The worker signs the employment contract (if not signed already) and the employer registers the employee with Sodra (social insurance) before the worker starts.

7. Total Estimated Timeline

Below is a combined overview, factoring in PCC legalization and MIGRIS steps:

1. Labor Market Test: ~2 weeks
2. Work Permit: ~2–4 weeks
3. PCC + Double Legalization (India): ~2–4 weeks (can be done in parallel with or before step 2 if you start early)
4. MIGRIS Registration & Document Preparation: ~1–2 weeks
5. Visa/TRP Processing: ~2–12 weeks (depending on type: D visa vs. TRP)

Overall Range: 1.5 to 4+ months.

• In the best-case scenario (documents ready, no backlog, no extra clarifications needed), it might be around 6–8 weeks total.
• In practice, delays in PCC legalization, incomplete documents, or high workload at the embassy or Migration Department can easily push it to 3–4 months or longer.

Key Takeaways

1. Start PCC Early: Acquiring and legalizing the PCC in India can be time-consuming.
2. MIGRIS for TRP: Ensure you register and complete the application via MIGRIS if you plan a long-term stay.
3. Document Consistency: All personal details across the PCC, passport, work permit, and contract must match to avoid rejections.
4. Monitor Deadlines: Keep track of the validity periods of each document (work permit, visa, TRP) and renew on time if needed.
5. Official Guidance: Always check migracija.lt or contact the Lithuanian Embassy in India for the latest requirements and fees.

Disclaimer

Migration rules and procedures can change. Always confirm specifics with official sources or legal advisors before proceeding, especially regarding PCC legalization and MIGRIS submission.