Studying in Lithuania: legal requirements for foreign students are becoming stricter
Studying in Lithuania offers foreign nationals the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and gain access to the European Union’s higher education environment. However, the legal framework governing international students is changing. Lithuania is strengthening migration controls and reviewing the conditions under which foreign nationals may obtain and maintain a temporary residence permit for study purposes..The Lithuanian Migration Department reports that it has identified numerous violations after carrying out inspections in Lithuanian universities and colleges. It is therefore urging higher education institutions to tighten control of foreign students. In a statement released on 4 September 2025, the Migration Department noted that people increasingly use studies in Lithuania merely to obtain a temporary residence permit. They also use them to gain access to the Schengen area.
According to the Migration Department, inspections revealed that some higher education institutions acted as intermediaries in issuing permits even in cases where a foreign national had started studies remotely, which does not require a permit. Such cases create an opportunity to enter the Schengen area and engage in activities unrelated to studies.
Prolonged Studies in Lithuania as a Means of Legalizing Stay
According to the Department’s data, some institutions provide foreign students with particularly favorable conditions to change their field of study. As a result, a program that is normally completed in four years may be extended to six years or even longer. Surveys indicate that the true aim of such students is not education, but the legalization of residence in Lithuania or the Schengen area.
The Department recorded cases where foreigners did not earn the required number of credits. Nevertheless, institutions promoted them to higher courses or allowed them to change study programmes. The Department believes that institutions do this to retain students who pay tuition fees.
Admission Gaps and Superficial Interviews
In addition, the Migration Department found that some institutions admitted foreign nationals solely on the basis of documents, without conducting interviews. As a result, some students studying in Lithuania are not sufficiently familiar with their study programmes. Their knowledge of the country and its living conditions is often incomplete or misleading. They also frequently lack basic factual knowledge and provide standardised answers. In addition, many have limited English-language skills. This raises doubts about their ability to study.
The Department’s inspections also uncovered cases of document fraud. For example, an institution awarded one foreign student a master’s degree even though another person had prepared the student’s final thesis.
According to the Migration Department’s statistics, the number of temporary residence permits revoked has increased following stricter inspections. In 2023, 104 permits were revoked; in 2024, the number rose to 525; and by September 2025, 780 permits had already been revoked.
There has also been an increase in cases where permits are revoked because the student never arrived in Lithuania. There were six such cases in 2023, compared with 107 cases in 2025.
The Migration Department states that, at the beginning of September 2025, 9,009 foreign nationals in Lithuania held temporary residence permits for study purposes. The number of students from certain countries has increased particularly rapidly: from India, it rose from 568 in 2023 to 1,539 in 2025; from Pakistan, from 100 to 1,039; and from Bangladesh, from 32 to 557.
A significant number of students also come from Belarus (924) and Ukraine (725).
Recommendations of the Migration Department and Their Consequences
- In its announcement, the Department recommended that higher education institutions:
- check the identity of applicants more responsibly,
- pay attention to possible cases of document forgery,
- accurately report students who have not arrived or who have discontinued their studies,
- provide data on the academic performance and credit accumulation of foreign students,
- maintain the Student Register responsibly.
In addition, the Migration Department informed representatives of higher education institutions about planned updates to the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS). The Department intends these updates to simplify technical procedures. In practice, foreign students must take greater responsibility for handling migration documentation procedures. Foreign students must take greater responsibility for handling migration documentation procedures. Otherwise, those intending to study in Lithuania will not be able to fully take advantage of this opportunity.
Practical Observations from Experienced Lawyers Working in the Field of Migration
Strengthening controls has both positive and negative consequences. It can also affect some foreign students who are studying legally and have no intention of violating the law. However, due to a lack of experience, they may sometimes fail to comply with certain migration procedures or formal requirements. There are also cases where students use the services of unreliable intermediaries, who mislead their clients and further complicate their situation.
Professional legal advice can help prevent more serious consequences and ensure that the relevant procedures are completed properly. If you require individual legal assistance regarding migration procedures, please contact us. Learn more about our Legal Services in the Field of Migration.
