When should I apply to renew my permit?

No earlier than 4 months before it expires, and not later than 2 months before (1 month for the urgent option). Apply early — appointment slots fill up.

Can I stay in Lithuania while the renewal is processed?

Generally yes, if you applied on time and before your current permit expired. Confirm your status on migracija.lt, and avoid travelling outside the EU until your new card is issued.

Do EU and Erasmus students need to do this?

No. EU/EEA students don't get a TRP — they register their stay differently. Erasmus/exchange students usually stay on a national visa or their home-country permit and rarely renew a TRP.

How many ECTS credits do I need to renew?

Universities typically require around 40 ECTS earned in the last academic year. Your international office confirms this in the mediation letter — ask them early if you're behind.

What if my permit expires before I get the new card?

Don't let it lapse. If you applied in good time you keep lawful status while the decision is pending, but a gap with no pending application can mean fines or having to leave. Speak to your university and the Migration Department immediately.

Will I need to prove Lithuanian language skills to renew?

Not under current law. A draft amendment proposed in September 2025 would require a language test after 5 years' residence, but as of June 2026 it is not in force. Check the latest status before assuming it applies to you.

Renewing your student residence permit in Lithuania

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change — confirm anything important with the official source linked below and your university's international office.

A temporary residence permit (TRP) for studies is renewed online via MIGRIS, the Migration Department's system — apply no earlier than 4 months and no later than ~2 months before it expires, then attend an appointment to give biometrics and originals. This applies to non-EU degree-seeking students; EU/EEA and most Erasmus students don't renew a TRP.

Confirm the current rules before you rely on this

Fees, timelines and credit requirements change, and official sources sometimes differ. Always check the live figures on migracija.lt and with your university's international office before you apply. Treat the numbers below as a guide, not gospel.

Who this is for

Non-EU / non-EEA degree students — yes, you renew a TRP. This guide is for you.
EU/EEA students — you don't hold a TRP; you register your stay (a certificate confirming the right of residence) instead.
Erasmus / exchange students — you usually stay on a national (D) visa or your home-country permit and don't renew a TRP. Check with your coordinator.

When to apply

Timing is the part students get wrong most often.

Earliest: 4 months before your current permit expires.
Latest: about 2 months before expiry for the standard process, or at least 1 month before if you pay for the urgent option (as of 2026 — confirm on migracija.lt).

Apply as early as you can. Biometrics appointment slots are limited, and a decision can take roughly 1-2 months.

Set a reminder

Put a calendar alert 5 months before your permit's expiry date. That gives you time to gather documents and book a slot before the window even opens.

Proposed 2025 changes — not yet law

In September 2025 a draft amendment to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens was tabled in the Seimas (initiated by MP Laurynas Kasčiūnas) that would tighten the rules for foreign residents and students. As of June 2026 this is a proposal under parliamentary debate, not in force — it does not affect a renewal you submit today. Watch for it, but do not plan around it as if it were settled law.

Proposed (not yet law) — verify before relying on any of this

None of the items below are current rules. They are part of a draft Bill proposed in 2025 and could change substantially or be dropped before any vote. The current rules in this guide still apply. Confirm the live position on migracija.lrv.lt and with your university before you act.

The draft would, if adopted:

Require Lithuanian-language proof to renew after 5 years. Foreigners renewing a temporary residence permit after about five years' residence would have to pass a state-language test at a level the government would set (discussed as A2 or B1). Proposed in 2025 — not current law.
Cap the study-based TRP at 8 years total. The total time you could hold a temporary residence permit on study grounds would be limited to eight years. Proposed in 2025 — not current law.
Cut bachelor students' work to 20h/week. Permitted work for non-EU/EEA bachelor students would drop from 40 to 20 hours per week. Proposed (not yet law), as of 2026 — see the note below on the current work rules.
Restrict family reunification. Non-EU/EEA master's students would be barred from bringing family members to Lithuania. Proposed in 2025 — not current law.

What the work rules are now

There is no single settled weekly cap. Under current rules, students may generally work up to 20 hours per week during term and up to 40 hours during holidays; doctoral students have no cap. The proposed 40→20h change above is a draft, not in force as of 2026.

The MIGRIS process, step by step

Fill in the application online in your personal account at the MIGRIS portal and upload digital copies of every document.
Pay the state fee (see below).
Book your appointment — slots only appear after you submit the online application. Choose the Migration Department division nearest you.
Attend in person to give biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and hand over original documents.
Track the decision in MIGRIS; you'll be notified by email. Collect your new permit card when it's ready.

Documents you'll typically need

Valid passport (and your current TRP).
A mediation letter number from your university's international relations office, confirming you're still enrolled and not expelled.
Proof of enough money to support yourself — usually bank statements covering the year (≈ €8,071unverified).
Health insurance valid in Lithuania. Required coverage levels are cited differently by different sources (some say €6,000, others higher), so confirm the current minimum before you buy.
A declared place of residence (address registration) in Lithuania.

The ECTS catch

Most universities require you to have earned around 40 ECTS in the last academic year to support a renewal. If you've fallen behind, talk to your faculty and international office before applying — they decide whether they can issue the mediation letter.

Fees and timelines

Official-grade sources currently disagree on the standard fee (some list €80, others €160), so do not treat either as settled — check the exact amount in MIGRIS when you apply.

Option	State fee (confirm on migracija.lt)	Decision time
Standard	€80–€160 (sources conflict)	~2 months
Urgent	€320	~1 month

Don't let your permit lapse

If you apply on time and before expiry, you generally keep lawful status while the decision is pending. A gap with no pending application can mean fines, problems with work or banking, or having to leave. Avoid non-EU travel until your new card is in hand.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving it too late — missing the window means rushing the urgent option or risking a lapse.
Using a paid "agent" — you renew directly through the Migration Department after arrival; third-party providers can't extend it for you.
Forgetting the residence declaration — an undeclared address can stall the whole application.
Assuming last year's rules apply — re-check fees, insurance and credit requirements each time.

Where to get help

Your university's international office — your first stop for the mediation letter and document checklist.
The Migration Department (migracija.lt) and MIGRIS for the official process and live fees.
EURAXESS Lithuania and the Migration Information Centre for free, independent guidance.