Subsidiary Protection (Papildoma apsauga)

Lithuania•Europe

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Subsidiary Protection (Papildoma apsauga)

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

2 years

Renewable

Dependents allowed

PR pathway

No job offer needed

Remote work OK

Overview

International protection granting a 1-year temporary residence permit to persons facing serious harm in their country of origin who do not qualify as refugees.

Subsidiary protection is an international protection status established under the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens in Lithuania, aligning with European Union directives. It serves as a complementary mechanism for individuals who do not qualify for refugee status but cannot safely return to their country of origin. This status fills the protection gap for those facing a real risk of serious harm, such as the death penalty, torture, or threats to life and safety due to indiscriminate violence in situations of armed conflict, ensuring they are not returned to dangerous conditions.

This status is intended for third-country nationals or stateless persons who face specific, serious threats in their home country. It is distinct because it is granted based on the objective risk of harm rather than individual persecution. Beneficiaries are granted a 1-year temporary residence permit, which can be renewed, and are exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit. This allows them to immediately enter the labor market, facilitating their integration while they remain under the protection of the Lithuanian state.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Permanent Residence Permit - 5-Year Continuous Residence (Leidimas nuolat gyventi)

Lithuania

Permanent Residence Permit - 5-Year Continuous Residence (Leidimas nuolat gyventi)

ValidityVaries (Renewable annually if business requirements maintained)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a foreigner who does not qualify for refugee status.

Must have a well-founded fear of being subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in the country of origin.

Must face a risk of the death penalty or execution.

Must face a serious and personal threat to life, health, safety, or freedom due to indiscriminate violence in an international or domestic armed conflict.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid travel document (if available).

Identity documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).

Evidence supporting the claim of persecution or threat (e.g., documents, statements, or other proof).

Completed asylum application form.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Protection against refoulement (return to the country of origin).
Right to reside in Lithuania.
Exemption from the requirement to obtain a work permit.
Access to social integration services, healthcare, and education.
Freedom of movement within the state.

Worth Knowing

Status is not permanent; it is reviewed after 2 years to see if the grounds for protection still exist.
If the situation in the country of origin improves, the protection may be withdrawn.
The process involves a rigorous assessment of the applicant's claims.
Asylum seekers may be subject to specific obligations and monitoring during the application process.

Application Process

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

Submit a motivated application detailing the facts and reasons for seeking asylum.

Undergo an assessment process by the Migration Department (typically within 6 months).

Receive a temporary residence permit (initially valid for 2 years) if the application is approved.

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