Bangladeshi students in Lithuania: the complete guide
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change — confirm anything important with the official source linked below and your university's international office.
In short
Bangladeshi students apply for a Lithuanian visa via India, usually needing an Indian X visa first, because there is no Lithuanian embassy in Bangladesh. Crucially, a Bangladeshi apostille is not accepted by Lithuania, so you must use traditional double legalisation instead. Confirm English requirements and proof-of-funds details with each programme and the official source.
Bangladesh is a fast-growing source of students in Lithuania, with communities in Vilnius and Kaunas. Two Bangladesh-specific facts can make or break your application, so we lead with them: you apply via India (which usually needs an Indian visa first), and an apostille from Bangladesh is not accepted by Lithuania — you need old-fashioned double legalisation.
The single most important thing on this page
Bangladesh acceded to the Apostille Convention (in force 30 March 2025), but Lithuania formally objected to that accession. The practical result: an apostille from Bangladesh does NOT work for Lithuania. You must use traditional double (consular) legalisation. Do not let generic "Bangladesh joined apostille" articles mislead you — around 450 students were reportedly caught out by exactly this.
Read this alongside the core guides
This page covers Bangladesh-specific details. Pair it with student residence permit (TRP), proof of funds and diploma recognition & apostille.
Your visa route from Bangladesh
There is no Lithuanian embassy in Bangladesh. Applications are handled by the Embassy of Lithuania in New Delhi, through VFS Global in India. The catch:
- You usually must first obtain an Indian "X" (double-entry) visa to travel to India, then apply for the Lithuanian visa/TRP and give biometrics there.
- This adds time, cost and a second visa process — start months ahead and budget for the India trip.
Your university files the mediation letter first; then you complete the MIGRIS/VFS steps. See booking your MIGRIS appointment & TRP timeline.
Legalising your documents: double legalisation, not apostille
As above — apostille is not valid for Lithuania from Bangladesh. Use the traditional chain:
- Education Board / HRD verification of your certificates.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka legalisation.
- Lithuanian MFA / the New Delhi embassy legalisation.
This typically must be done in person (couriered documents are often not accepted at the final step). It is slower than an apostille, so begin early. See diploma recognition & apostille.
English: MOI vs IELTS
Many universities accept an MOI letter, with an internal test or interview as the fallback — but practice varies by university, so confirm with each programme before paying for IELTS. See MOI vs IELTS.
Money: proof of funds and scrutiny
Plan to show about ≈ €8,071 for a 12-month stay (roughly €576.50 per month plus a one-off return amount; reset every January). Bangladeshi applications face elevated scrutiny — note that Bangladesh's all-Schengen refusal rate has been among the world's highest (a broad proxy, not a Lithuania student-specific figure). Show a stable balance over time, and expect to provide a police clearance / criminal-record certificate for stays of six months or more. See proof of funds.
Community, food and daily life
There's an active Bangladeshi community in Vilnius and Kaunas with Facebook groups and university ambassadors. Halal food is available in Vilnius (more limited elsewhere). Useful next reads:
- Halal & South Asian food in Lithuania
- Places of worship & Ramadan
- Facebook, WhatsApp & Telegram groups to join
Sending money home
Wise sends to Bangladeshi banks, bKash and Nagad, and using official channels keeps the 2.5% government remittance incentive; Revolut also works. Compare the live rate each time. See sending money home.
Your LUSH.lt reading list
- Diploma recognition & apostille — read the double-legalisation note above first.
- Student residence permit (TRP).
- Proof of funds.
- Booking your MIGRIS appointment & TRP timeline.
- Study medicine (MBBS) in Lithuania — recognition, BMDC and the MD-vs-MBBS question.
- Your first 30 days, in order.
Frequently asked
Where do Bangladeshi students apply for a Lithuanian visa?+
There is no Lithuanian embassy in Bangladesh. Applications are handled by the Embassy of Lithuania in New Delhi via VFS Global in India — which means you usually first need an Indian 'X' (double-entry) visa to travel to India and apply.
Is a Bangladeshi apostille valid for Lithuania?+
No. Bangladesh joined the Apostille Convention in 2025, but Lithuania formally objected, so an apostille from Bangladesh does NOT work for Lithuania. You must use traditional double legalisation instead — this is the single most important thing to get right.
Do Bangladeshi students need IELTS?+
Often an MOI letter is accepted, with an internal test or interview as the fallback, but practice varies by university — confirm with each programme before paying for IELTS.
How much money do I need to show?+
About €8,071 for a 12-month stay in 2026 (roughly €576.50 a month plus a one-off return amount). Show a stable balance over time; Bangladeshi applications face elevated scrutiny.
How do I send money home to Bangladesh?+
Wise sends to Bangladeshi banks plus bKash and Nagad, and official channels keep the government remittance incentive; Revolut also works. Compare the live rate each time.