Law today. These apply now — plan around them.
In forceWorking· 22 May 2026
Student work hours: a tiered 20 / 40-hour cap
1st- and 2nd-year bachelor students can work up to 20 h/week; 3rd/4th-year, master's, doctoral students and medical residents up to 40 h/week.
The flat ~40-hour allowance was cut to 20 hours for early-stage bachelor students. Institution-set summer holidays and required internships/practice are excluded from the cap. It applies to permits issued on or after 22 May 2026, so an existing permit may run under the old terms — confirm your own limit before signing a contract.
Migration Department — key changes to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens →In forceStudying· 22 May 2026
8-year total cap on study residence permits
Study-based residence permits can't total more than 8 years.
Aimed at 'eternal students'. Applies prospectively to permits newly issued from 22 May 2026. A normal bachelor + master's path stays well within the limit.
Migration Department — key changes summary →In forceWorking· 22 May 2026
Stay & keep working while changing permit (MIGRIS certificate)
File a timely permit-change application and you may remain and keep working for the same employer while it's decided.
Evidenced by a digital 'alien registration certificate' issued via MIGRIS (a PDF to your account within a few days). A genuinely helpful change for graduates moving from study to work — but only if you apply on time.
15min — changes to foreigner employment rules →In forceFees & money· 2026
50% student discount on the TRP state fee
Students admitted to a study or doctoral programme pay half the general TRP issuance fee — about €80 instead of €160.
A favourable change, not a tightening. There's also a one-time full state-fee waiver for those who completed studies or R&D in Lithuania. The proof-of-funds multiplier (0.5 × MMA per month) was not tightened — the euro figure only rose because the minimum wage rose.
Migration Department — state fees for residence permits →In forceFamily· 22 May 2026
Family reunification: tighter, tiered rules
No outright ban, but typically ~2 years' prior residence, a permit valid 1+ more year, sufficient income and housing — so most 1st/2nd-year bachelor students can't bring family yet.
The family-reunification article was amended as part of the 2026 reform. The general 2-year/income/housing rule is in force. Sources conflict on whether master's/doctoral students are treated more favourably (able to sponsor sooner) — treat the master's-student position as unsettled and confirm with the Migration Department before relying on it.
LRT — Lithuania tightens rules for foreign residents and students →In forceLanguage· 1 January 2026
Basic Lithuanian for customer-facing jobs (A1 → A2)
Foreigners who serve customers directly must reach A1 within the first 2 years, then A2 — tied to the job, not to your permit.
An amendment to the Law on the State Language, enforced by the State Language Inspectorate. It affects student jobs in retail, hospitality and similar, but does not by itself gate a residence-permit renewal.
LRT — basic Lithuanian language requirement for service workers →In forceApplying· 6 May 2026
Tighter VFS submission & some country suspensions
Submission via external providers was tightened; non-priority applications were suspended in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe.
If you're applying from an affected country, check the current status with the Migration Department and your university before making plans. Arrangements via external service providers change — don't assume last year's process still applies.
Ministry of the Interior — tighter conditions for applications via external providers →In forceEnforcement· 2025–2026
Stricter scrutiny & faster revocation of study permits
More vetting at application, and quicker permit revocation when studies are abandoned.
Of roughly 6,900 study-permit applications in 2025, over 1,000 (~14.5%) were rejected and hundreds of permits were revoked for discontinued studies. The work-hour limits are framed explicitly as anti-abuse. Keep your enrolment and attendance in good standing.
LRT — universities face difficulties vetting foreign students →