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Internship Legislation and Student Visa in Lithuania
Guide to Seamlessly Maneuvering Internships and Student Visas in Lithuania
Lithuania, a gem in the Baltic region, is not only renowned for its rich heritage and lush landscapes but also emerges as a land brimming with opportunities for students and young professionals. Lithuania is characterized by its diverse culture, reflecting a mix of Lithuanian, Polish, and Russian influences. Its strategic position in Europe makes it an attractive destination for international businesses and institutions, providing students with exposure to a global network and opportunities to work with some of the world’s leading companies.
Explore boundless opportunities and access expert knowledge about internship regulations and student visa requests in Lithuania. Piktalent offers current and relevant information on the topic. Whether you’re an EU-citizen or Non-EU citizen contemplating an internship in this Baltic state, here’s what you need to know.
EU citizens
Lithuania, a member of the European Union, offers a conducive environment for internships, especially for EU citizens. The legislation is meticulously designed to facilitate a seamless experience for interns from the EU, focusing on various aspects such as duration, contracts, remuneration, and social security contributions.
1. Duration and Conditions
EU citizens find the process of obtaining internships in Lithuania relatively straightforward, with several exemptions in place. The residence permit, pivotal for interns, can be issued for a duration between 1 to 3 years based on employment, allowing interns to stay in Lithuania for the duration of the permit. The permit also facilitates self-employment, providing flexibility for those wishing to explore entrepreneurial ventures during their stay.
2. Internship Contract
Internship contracts in Lithuania are meticulously detailed, delineating the terms and conditions of the internship. Higher education institutions in Lithuania play a pivotal role in orchestrating practical placements for their students, making these placements an integral and compulsory component of undergraduate programmes. The synergy between universities or colleges and enterprises is pivotal, aiding students in acquiring skills pertinent to their prospective professions. EU citizens, enjoying the exemptions in place, can seamlessly change employers with the assent of the Migration Department, rendering Lithuania an attractive destination for internships.
3. Remuneration and Unpaid Internships
Lithuania has been proactive in addressing the concerns related to unpaid internships. The legislation ensures that interns receive remuneration that is no less than three average monthly gross wages.
* Update for 2023: From 01 January 2023, the minimum wages in Lithuania have been increased from €4.47 to €5.14 per hour and from €730.00 to €840.00 per month. This adjustment in minimum wage is crucial for interns as it sets the baseline for remuneration, ensuring fair compensation. However, it is noted that this increase might not reflect the inflationary trends.
4. After Arrival in the Country for EU Citizens
Typically, EU citizens can stay in another EU country for up to 3 months without needing a visa or residence permit. For extended stays, registering with the local authorities and obtaining a residence permit is usually required. Lithuania, being part of the Schengen Area, allows for free movement between the participating countries.
Upon arrival, EU citizens can declare their place of residence in Lithuania and are covered by the Compulsory Health Insurance (CHI). The residence permit issued also comes with a personal identity number, streamlining various administrative processes for the interns.
5. Personal Identity Number
The issuance of a personal identity number is crucial as it aids in various administrative processes and is a mandatory requirement for declaring one’s place of residence in Lithuania.
6. Social Security Contributions for Interns in the Country
Interns in Lithuania, inclusive of EU citizens, are meticulously integrated into the country’s social security and health insurance frameworks. These contributions are pivotal, ensuring interns have access to a comprehensive range of social security benefits, reflecting Lithuania’s robust commitment to fostering a resilient social security network.
Specifics of Contributions
Interns engaged under employment agreements are subject to a 19.5% social security contribution, inclusive of a 6.98% health insurance contribution, applied to incomes up to EUR 101,094 per calendar year. Beyond this income threshold, a consistent 6.98% rate is applicable. Employers also contribute at varying rates, with no threshold applied to their contributions, ensuring a balanced and equitable contribution framework.
International Social Security
Lithuania harmonizes its social security legislation with EU regulations, allowing exemptions for foreign employees seconded to Lithuania from EEA countries or Switzerland, provided they obtain an A1 certificate. Reciprocal social security agreements with countries like the United States, Canada, and Russia facilitate international cooperation and employee secondment, enhancing Lithuania’s international employment landscape.
7. Remuneration Law for Internships in the Country
Lithuania’s remuneration law is comprehensive and robust, ensuring that interns receive fair compensation. The law mandates that the salary paid to the intern should not be less than the last published average monthly gross salary in the national economy, reflecting Lithuania’s unwavering commitment to maintaining high standards of workplace ethics and employee welfare.
Non-EU citizens
1. Visa Requirements:
Non-EU citizens aspiring to intern in Lithuania must meticulously ensure they meet the qualification requirements, including possessing relevant qualifications or work experience. A work permit or a decision on the compliance of foreign work with Lithuanian labour market needs is typically required, allowing foreigners to apply for a national work visa.
2. Residence Permit for Internships:
A Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) is pivotal for Non-EU citizens intending to intern in Lithuania. Securing Lithuanian health insurance during the application is also recommended, costing approximately €115 per annum. The TRP is generally issued for 1 or 2 years, with a special provision of 5 years for persons of Lithuanian origin and foreigners who have retained the right for Lithuanian citizenship.
Application Process:
The application for a TRP involves a state fee of €160 (€320 for urgent processing) and submission of various documents, including a valid travel document, proof of sufficient funds, health insurance, and a criminal record certificate. The processing time is up to 4 months for general procedures and 2 months for urgent procedures. From 2023, the application and receipt of TRP documents can be facilitated through an external service provider while being abroad.
3. Extensions & New Procedures:
Applications for TRP extensions are permissible, and staying informed about the latest regulations is crucial. The new National Visa Issuance Procedure, effective from July 1, 2023, has amended some grounds on which foreigners used to apply for a national visa, marking a significant change in the legislation by the order of the Minister of the Interior, Agnė Bilotaitė.
4. Work While Interning:
Securing a work-based residence permit is beneficial as it offers more flexibility and benefits compared to a national work visa. Non-EU citizens can only start working after obtaining a residence permit based on a decision on compliance, emphasizing the importance of securing employment before initiating the immigration process.
5. Vital Steps for a Seamless Stay:
- Ensure Compliance with Qualification Requirements: Possessing relevant qualifications or work experience is paramount.
- Secure Employment: Securing employment is crucial before initiating the immigration process as the application process for work permits and decisions on compliance is employer-driven.
- Apply for a TRP: Submit a comprehensive application involving various documents and fees to the Migration Department in Lithuania.
- Stay Informed about Renewal Procedures: Keep abreast of the renewal procedures and timelines to avoid any inconveniences.
8. Recent Developments:
- Population Milestone: As of September 2023, the number of foreigners residing in Lithuania has surpassed 200,000, marking a historical milestone.
- Recovery of Lost Permits: Foreigners who have lost their temporary residence permits outside Lithuania can now order duplicates through external service providers, reflecting the improvements implemented in the Lithuanian migration information system, MIGRIS, to enhance the quality of the provided electronic services.
It is essential to stay updated with the latest developments and amendments in Lithuania’s migration laws and procedures to ensure a smooth and hassle-free stay in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
EU citizens find the process of obtaining internships in Lithuania relatively straightforward due to several exemptions in place, making Lithuania an attractive destination for internships.
Higher education institutions in Lithuania play a pivotal role in orchestrating practical placements for their students, making these placements an integral and compulsory component of undergraduate programmes. They aid students in acquiring skills pertinent to their prospective professions through synergy with enterprises.
The residence permit, pivotal for interns, can be issued for a duration between 1 to 3 years based on employment, allowing interns to stay in Lithuania for the duration of the permit.
Lithuania ensures that interns receive remuneration that is no less than three average monthly gross wages. The legislation is proactive in addressing concerns related to unpaid internships, ensuring fair compensation.
From 01 January 2023, the minimum wages in Lithuania have been increased from €4.47 to €5.14 per hour and from €730.00 to €840.00 per month. This adjustment is crucial for interns as it sets the baseline for remuneration.
EU citizens can stay in another EU country for up to 3 months without needing a visa or residence permit. For extended stays, registering with the local authorities and obtaining a residence permit is usually required. Upon arrival, EU citizens can declare their place of residence in Lithuania and are covered by the Compulsory Health Insurance (CHI).
Interns in Lithuania are meticulously integrated into the country’s social security and health insurance frameworks. These contributions ensure interns have access to a comprehensive range of social security benefits, reflecting Lithuania’s robust commitment to fostering a resilient social security network.
For 2023, Interns engaged under employment agreements are subject to a 19.5% social security contribution, inclusive of a 6.98% health insurance contribution, applied to incomes up to EUR 101,094 per calendar year. Employers also contribute at varying rates, with no threshold applied to their contributions.
Lithuania harmonizes its social security legislation with EU regulations and has reciprocal social security agreements with countries like the United States, Canada, and Russia, facilitating international cooperation and employee secondment.
Lithuania’s remuneration law mandates that the salary paid to the intern should not be less than the last published average monthly gross salary in the national economy, reflecting Lithuania’s commitment to maintaining high standards of workplace ethics and employee welfare.
Non-EU citizens need to meet qualification requirements, obtain a work permit, and apply for a national work visa.
Non-EU citizens require a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) and are advised to get Lithuanian health insurance.
Apply with a €160 fee (or €320 for urgent processing) and various documents, including a valid travel document, sufficient funds, health insurance, and a criminal record certificate.
Yes, TRP extensions are possible. Recent regulations have altered the National Visa Issuance Procedure, effective from July 1, 2023.
Ensure compliance with qualification requirements, secure employment, apply for a TRP, and stay informed about renewal procedures.
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