Nigerian 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
Nigerian students apply for a Lithuanian national (D) visa through VFS Global in Lagos or Abuja, but the decision is made by the Lithuanian Embassy in Cairo. Your documents need full consular legalisation, not an apostille, since Nigeria is not a Hague member. Apply early and confirm requirements per programme.
Nigerian students are a growing community in Lithuania, mostly around Vilnius and Kaunas (with some at VMU and in Šiauliai). Two things are genuinely Nigeria-specific and worth getting right early: your visa is decided in Cairo (submitted via VFS in Nigeria), and your documents need full legalisation, not an apostille.
Read this alongside the core guides
This page covers Nigeria-specific details. Pair it with student residence permit (TRP), the national (D) visa and proof of funds.
Your visa route from Nigeria
There is no resident Lithuanian embassy in Nigeria (only an honorary consulate in Lagos, which does not issue visas). In practice:
- Decisions are made by the Embassy of Lithuania in Cairo, Egypt.
- You submit and give biometrics through VFS Global in Lagos (Lekki) or Abuja.
- You generally need the national (D) visa and/or TRP before you travel. Budget 15–60 days and apply early.
See the national (D) visa for the document list.
English: WAEC/NECO, not always IELTS
English is the medium of instruction in Nigeria, so a separate IELTS is often not required. Universities typically ask for your WAEC/NECO certificates with the scratch-card/verification PIN and a minimum English grade (VILNIUS TECH, for example, asks for ≥60% in English), and some add an interview. Confirm the exact requirement per programme — see MOI vs IELTS.
Legalising your documents: full legalisation (not apostille)
Nigeria is NOT in the apostille system — ignore the blogs that say otherwise
Many websites wrongly claim Nigeria joined the Apostille Convention in 2023/2024. It did not. Your documents need full consular legalisation/attestation, not an apostille.
The chain runs through the Federal Ministry of Education → High Court / Ministry of Foreign Affairs → the accredited Lithuanian mission handling Nigeria. Start this early — it is slower than an apostille and is a common cause of delay. See diploma recognition & apostille for how Lithuania then recognises the qualification.
Money: proof of funds
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 with the minimum wage). Show a stable balance over time, not a last-minute deposit. See proof of funds.
Safety and community — an honest note
Know the reporting channels
Most Nigerian students study without incident, but racism and Afrophobia are documented in Lithuania, including violent hate-crime cases and under-reporting flagged by OSCE/ENAR. This isn't a reason not to come — it's a reason to connect with the community early and know how to report. Read being a non-white student in Lithuania.
African students organise largely through university societies and city-based groups. Start with Facebook, WhatsApp & Telegram groups to join.
Sending money home
Wise and Revolut both serve Nigeria: you send EUR and the recipient receives NGN (NGN isn't a send currency). NGN payouts depend on Nigerian central-bank policy and have been suspended and resumed before — verify availability and the live rate in-app before sending. See sending money home.
Your LUSH.lt reading list
- The national (D) visa.
- Student residence permit (TRP).
- Proof of funds.
- Being a non-white student in Lithuania.
- Study medicine (MBBS) in Lithuania — recognition, MDCN and the MD-vs-MBBS question.
- Your first 30 days, in order.
Frequently asked
Where do Nigerian students apply for a Lithuanian visa?+
Decisions are made by the Embassy of Lithuania in Cairo, Egypt, but you submit through VFS Global in Lagos (Lekki) or Abuja, where you also give biometrics. You generally need the national (D) visa and/or TRP before arrival.
Do Nigerian students need IELTS?+
Usually not a separate IELTS — English is the medium of instruction in Nigeria. Universities ask for WAEC/NECO certificates (with the verification PIN) and a minimum English grade; some still run an interview. Confirm per programme.
Is Nigeria part of the apostille system?+
No. Nigeria is NOT a Hague Apostille member, despite many blogs wrongly claiming a 2023/2024 accession. Your documents need full consular legalisation/attestation, not an apostille.
Is Lithuania safe for Nigerian students?+
Most study without incident, but racism and Afrophobia are documented and real. It pays to know the reporting channels and to connect with the community early — we cover this honestly in a dedicated guide.
How do I send money to Nigeria from Lithuania?+
Wise and Revolut both serve Nigeria — you send EUR and the recipient receives NGN. NGN payouts depend on Nigerian central-bank policy and have been paused and resumed before, so verify availability in-app before sending.