Navigating the New Immigration Landscape in 2025: Your Guide to Securing European Residency

For some time I’ve been advising clients to submit their application for residency as soon as possible. The simple fact is that we are privy to information on the migration landscape that most people simply don’t have access to, and which is seldom published, given our location above the main migration center in Vilnius, and our regular visits downstairs with clients looking to secure their European residency in person.

Now, the first wave of those changes have been officially announced. Sort of.

Background

In October last year we were advised changes were coming, and I took the advice so seriously we offered a significant discount for anybody that would process their application sooner rather than later. I did this to help smooth our workflow, and to secure residency for people who I genuinely feel would be a significant benefit to Europe.

Governments don’t always run like clockwork. Nevertheless, there have now been updates, and we finally have a little clarity on what those look like. This was no easy task, I can assure you.

You would think it would be as simple as the government posting some bullet points on an immigration website. Unfortunately, it is not. Experience has taught me that most government websites around the world, and especially in Europe, with regards to immigration, are often out of date, unreliable, or in fact, totally disconnected with the real world in terms of processing time and cost.

To get the information below for you, we have had to scour numerous sites in Lithuanian, from university lectures by immigration officials, to newspaper articles and official immigration press releases. There is very little detail around what exactly will happen within these broad categories of change, or how it will impact applications.

Is Baltic Capital Partners Gateway to Europe EU Residency still possible?

YES! We’re confident, given the unique nature of our business, and the clients we choose to work with, that we can navigate the changing landscape and continue to deliver a smooth and successful experience for our clients, at record speed, and value.

I now share with you some of the high points that we have to hand, do please note though, more announcements will follow in months to come, so if you have ever thought of securing European residency, my personal advice remains unchanged. Do it now.

New rule changes we know about so far..

• As of 1 January 2025, the functions of the Employment Service have been narrowed – decisions on the eligibility of foreigners for labour market needs, which were needed for occupations that were not in short supply, will no longer be issued. (In other words – they are not making any more exceptions for foreign workers not on the skill shortage list, which could affect thousands, though not generally our clients).

• An annual quota for all occupations, has entered into force as of 1 January 2025, with another limit on the number of new entrants of third-country nationals. (This could mean that the government will automatically refuse all applications that fall outside the quota. This could well affect our clients as they are saying, so far, that it applies to all, irrespective of the strength of application. Basically, once the quota is met, new applications will be turned away until the next year. We are still within the quota, and are waiting for more information on exact numbers and where we may find running totals in order to stay ahead of the curve)

• As of 1 December 2024, it is no longer possible to apply for temporary residence permits on the basis of work through an external service provider if there is no VFS Global Centre representing Lithuania in that country (our clients don’t tend to apply on the basis of work, so this is fine. There is also a VS Global in Australia and NZ anyway).
• Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners entered into force on 1 December 2024, with the aim of attracting highly skilled foreigners and foreign investors, who would also relocate their highly skilled workers. (this is helpful to us, we think, our clients are usually highly skilled and/or investors and it may help us get “around” the quota system, we are awaiting more information).
• The amendments also introduce additional requirements for foreign professionals. According to the new law, a foreigner who intends to work in a skilled job must not only have the necessary education, but also at least one year of work experience in the last 3 years related to the job to be performed. the company has an obligation to pay the foreigner a monthly wage not less than the last published average monthly GVA for the calendar year
• Order No 1V-675 of the Minister of the Interior, which entered into force on 16 November 2024, which allows foreigners to apply for a replacement permit just 1 working day before the expiry of their existing permit (instead of the previous 2 months), and extends the pre-application period to 6 months (instead of 4 months), and exempts UK nationals and their family members who are covered by the Brexit agreement from the application deadline.
• A draft amendment to the Decree on the implementation of the Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania has been submitted for coordination. The essence of this draft is to update the procedure for registration and supervision of temporary employment companies in Lithuania. These amendments may indirectly affect the employment of foreigners, as temporary employment companies are often used to recruit foreign workers (mostly labourers and trades). The amendments aim to increase transparency and credibility in this sector, which can potentially improve the working conditions and protection of the rights of foreigners in Lithuania.
• Foreigners can now apply for a change of employer only at least 6 months after the date of issue of the temporary residence permit, if the permit was obtained through the promise of employment (which does not affect our clients who enter through our Gateway to Europe program).
• Stricter requirements for employers inviting foreigners to work.
• Only foreigners with a temporary residence permit in Lithuania will be allowed to take up employment, while the possibility for foreigners to work with national visas from other countries will be abolished, except for certain groups of foreigners. (This is big. Though luckily not for our clients directly, though can affect those starting a business here, and hiring staff from outside the EU).
• The requirement for the employer to provide information on the foreigner’s qualifications and experience has been reinstated. (if inviting someone from abroad to come work for your company here, they need to be qualified and you need to prove it).

Take away:

Most of the changes above relate to a company, inviting employees from abroad, or people working in trade sectors or various forms of employment. Most of our clients, who enter through our gateway to Europe program, wont be affected by these changes so much, however, the quota could be something we need to watch closely.

The various changes above, as predicted, also indicate an ongoing tightening of rules, across-the-board.

Currently the government’s focus seems to be on employment agencies and companies recruiting foreign labor for the construction, and works sector. I met with a solicitor who works in this field recently, and was pulling her hair out, saying that effectively the government has just destroyed an entire industry, and she is now looking for work.

The great news for us is though, all of the attraction of Europe remains, and Lithuania is, perhaps because of the changes above, a fantastic place to live, or choose as an entry point.

What next?

Lock in your application now to be protected from further changes, and remember, gaining your residency now doesn’t mean you have to panic and pack.

You can make your way to Europe, when you are ready, safe in the knowledge that you’ve made it. For a few months a year, or indefinitely. On your terms.

What’s Included in Our VIP Service?

• Low-Document Fast-track processing:

  EU residency secured in just 4 weeks.

• Full support and legal assistance

  throughout the entire applicationprocess.

• Personalised VIP service

  ensuring discretion with priority end-to-end handling.

• Family included:

  One fee covers the residency application for your entire family.

What You Need to Do:

• Reach out to us via this Email, Or book a time to talk directly in our diary now.
• We will arrange a consultation and begin your application.

We look forward to helping you and your family secure your future in Europe.