Lithuania has made it more difficult for Ukrainians without temporary protection to find employment

Starting from September 1, certain benefits related to the employment of foreigners in Lithuania who cannot return to Ukraine will expire. This means that Ukrainians without temporary protection will only be able to work in Lithuania after obtaining a residence permit.

This information comes from LRT, citing a decree signed by the Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė.

Until this time, foreigners who could not return to Ukraine and were not eligible for temporary protection were exempt from the obligation to obtain a work permit if they met certain conditions, particularly:

• Foreigners enjoying visa-free travel or holding a valid Schengen visa.
• Foreigners holding a national visa issued due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Foreigners who have applied for a residence permit based on employment, high-skilled employment, or humanitarian grounds.

From September 1, this preferential period will expire for all these cases, except for highly skilled workers.

These changes will not affect Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania who benefit from the temporary protection mechanism introduced by the European Union. The Migration Department issues them electronic residence permits.

Newly arrived refugees can still work as soon as they submit an application to the Migration Department for a temporary residence permit based on temporary protection.