Lithuania•Europe

Open

Refugee Status (Pabėgėlio statusas)

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Dependents allowed

PR pathway

No job offer needed

Remote work OK

Overview

International protection granting permanent residence to persons with well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion.

Refugee status in Lithuania is granted in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol, as well as the national Law on the Legal Status of Aliens. This status fills the fundamental human rights gap by providing international protection to individuals who cannot return to their country of origin due to a well-founded fear of persecution. It ensures that those fleeing threats to their lives or fundamental freedoms receive a permanent residence permit, social assistance, and the right to integrate into Lithuanian society.

This status is intended for individuals who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, are outside their country of nationality and unable to avail themselves of its protection. It is distinctive because it grants a permanent residence permit, offering the highest level of security and stability among all Lithuanian residence statuses. It is for those who have undergone a rigorous asylum application process and have been formally recognized as refugees, entitling them to long-term integration support and full access to the labor market.

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be outside the country of nationality or habitual residence.

Must have a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.

Must be unable or unwilling to avail oneself of the protection of the country of origin due to such fear.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid travel document (if available).

Any evidence or documentation supporting the asylum claim.

Completed application forms provided by the authorities.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Granting of permanent residence permit in Lithuania.
Protection against return to the country of origin (non-refoulement).
Access to social integration programs and social assistance.
Right to work and access to public services.
No state fees for the application process.

Worth Knowing

The process involves rigorous interviews and background checks.
Asylum seekers may be subject to specific residence requirements or detention in exceptional cases (e.g., identity verification).
If refugee status is denied, the applicant may be granted subsidiary protection (temporary) or face deportation.

Application Process

Apply for asylum in person at a border checkpoint (State Border Guard Service) or at the Migration Department if already in Lithuania.

Register the application and receive a foreigner's registration card.

Undergo an individual interview to explain the reasons for seeking asylum.

Wait for the assessment by the Migration Department (typically up to 6 months).

Receive a decision (Refugee status, Subsidiary protection, or refusal).

Ready to see if the Refugee Status (Pabėgėlio statusas) is your visa path?

Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Start Visa Discovery