From 3 May 2023, the Law on Imposing Restrictive Measures Regarding the Military Aggression Against Ukraine will enter into force in Lithuania. The new law outlines several new measures and updates some measures that were already applied. The law will be valid until 2 May 2024. 

Restrictive measures that will continue to apply

Visas and temporary residence permit applications at visa service centres and external service providers of Lithuania abroad  

The acceptance of visa applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals and the adoption of decisions resulting from these applications at the visa service centres of Lithuania abroad are suspended, except when the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs mediates.

The acceptance of applications from Russian nationals for the issuance of a temporary residence permit (TRP) in Lithuania through an external service provider abroad is suspended, with the exception of Russian nationals for whom an institution authorised by the Lithuanian Government mediates in cases determined by the Lithuanian Government.

The movement of Russian nationals into the territory of Lithuania across the external border of the EU   

The movement of Russian nationals across the external border of the European Union into the territory of Lithuania is limited. Russian nationals intending to cross the external border of the European Union into the territory of Lithuania will be subject to an individual additional detailed inspection, except for cases where:

they correspond to the entry conditions set out in Regulation 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council and all its amendments, such as, for example:

  • they are in possession of a valid travel document entitling the holder to cross the border satisfying the following criteria:

– its validity shall extend for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the member states. In a justified case of emergency, this obligation may be waived.

– it shall have been issued within the previous 10 years

  • they are in possession of a valid visa, if required pursuant to Council Regulation No 539/2001, except where they hold a valid residence permit or a valid long-stay visa
  • they justify the purpose and conditions of the intended stay, and they have sufficient means of subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or transit to a third country into which they are certain to be admitted, or are in a position to acquire such means lawfully
  • etc.

and at least one of the other conditions listed in the law, such as, for example:

  • they have a residence permit issued by one of the Schengen countries, member states of the European Union, states of the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation
  • they have a long-term national visa issued by one of the Schengen countries applying the full Schengen acquis
  • etc.

New restrictive measures

Visa applications through an external service provider abroad  

The acceptance of applications for the issuance of national visas from Russian and Belarusian nationals through an external service provider (e.g., VFS Global) abroad is suspended. This applies from 1 July 2023. This has been adopted because it is planned to change the Description of the procedure for issuing visas, and it is planned that decisions on issuing national visas will be made by the Migration Department.

Russian nationals’ applications for TRP in Lithuania 

The acceptance of applications from Russian nationals for the issuance of a Lithuanian TRP in Lithuania (e.g., at the Migration Department) is suspended, with the exception of Russian nationals who have any of the following:

  • a valid Schengen or national visa issued by the Lithuanian visa service abroad or in Lithuania
  • a Lithuanian residence permit
  • a residence permit issued by another European Union member state.

Russian and Belarusian nationals’ applications for electronic resident status  

The acceptance of applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals for the granting of electronic resident status of Lithuania and the validity of electronic identification certificates and qualified electronic signature certificates are suspended, except for Russian and Belarusian nationals who have a temporary or permanent residence permit in Lithuania.

Russian nationals and legal entities can no longer acquire real estate in Lithuania 

The right of Russian nationals and legal entities established or controlled by them, as defined in the Lithuanian Competition Law, to acquire ownership of real estate located on the territory of Lithuania is suspended, except for cases where a Russian national has been issued with a temporary residence permit in Lithuania or a permanent residence permit in Lithuania, or when a Russian national acquires the ownership right to real estate by way of inheritance.

Importing or exporting Ukrainian hryvnias

The right of nationals of Russia and Belarus to import or export cash in Ukrainian hryvnias to the territory of Lithuania is suspended.