Working In Lithuania: Opportunities For International Students

can international student work in lithuania

International students in Lithuania have the right to work while studying, as long as they are enrolled in a university. The number of working hours permitted per week depends on the student's nationality and visa status. EU students can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) without any limitations, whereas non-EU students with a temporary residence permit can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. International students can find part-time work opportunities in various sectors, including customer service, IT, hospitality, retail, and more. The Lithuanian government has been actively promoting internationalization in higher education, resulting in a steady increase in opportunities for international students.

Characteristics Values
Can international students work in Lithuania? Yes, international students can work in Lithuania during their studies.
Work hours for EU students No limit on working hours for EU students (and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). They can work up to 40 hours per week.
Work hours for non-EU students with a temporary residence permit No limit on working hours. They can work up to 40 hours per week.
Work hours for non-EU students without a temporary residence permit Can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.
Work hours for non-EU PhD students Can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week).
Work hours during the final year of studies No limit on working hours.
Work hours during the first 3 months after graduation Students can work full-time.
Work permit for EU students Not required.
Work permit for non-EU students with a temporary residence permit Not required.
Work permit for non-EU students without a temporary residence permit Required.
Temporary residence permit for job search after graduation Non-EU students can apply for a temporary residence permit valid for 12 months for job search and self-employment.
Self-employment Students can work as freelancers under the Individual Activity Certificate.

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Work permit and visa requirements for international students in Lithuania

International students can work in Lithuania while studying as long as they are enrolled in a university. EU students can work full-time, up to 40 hours per week, without a work permit. Non-EU students with a temporary residence permit (TRP) can also work up to 40 hours per week without needing an additional work permit. Students with a National Visa (D) will need to obtain a work permit.

To obtain a TRP, non-EU citizens must apply via the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS) before arriving in Lithuania. The TRP is valid for a study period of a maximum of two years and can be renewed. The fast-tracked procedure takes up to one month, and the standard procedure takes up to 45 calendar days. The TRP costs €8.60 and is valid for five years.

Non-EU students who want to receive a TRP must declare their place of residence in Lithuania at the Migration Department's office, in an eldership, or in a municipality within one month of collecting the issued residence permit. From 2021, non-EU Bachelor's students with a TRP can work 20 hours per week and full-time during summer vacations, internships, or the first three months after graduation. Non-EU PhD students can work full-time.

Students who want to stay in Lithuania after graduating from their Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD can apply for a one-year temporary residence permit for a job search. No additional permits are required to start working after finding a job.

If you wish to work as a freelancer in Lithuania, you can work under the Individual Activity Certificate. This certificate allows you to sell your services to different companies or institutions without limits on income or working hours. Freelancers are responsible for paying their taxes.

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Part-time work options for international students in Lithuania

International students in Lithuania have different working hour restrictions depending on their nationality and visa status. EU students and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are allowed to work up to 40 hours per week without any limitations. Non-EU Bachelor's and Master's students with a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for studies are allowed to work up to 40 hours per week during their studies, with no additional work permit needed. Non-EU students with a National Visa (D) will need to obtain a work permit.

Non-EU students without a TRP can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. After graduation, non-EU students can apply for a temporary residence permit for 12 months to look for a job and work immediately after finding one. No additional permits are required.

There are several ways for international students to find part-time work in Lithuania. On-campus jobs are typically part-time and designed to fit a student's schedule. Seasonal jobs are also a great opportunity for students to earn money during their school breaks while gaining work experience. Online tutoring is another option for students with strong communication skills and a thorough understanding of their subject matter.

Students can also look for part-time jobs on platforms such as CV.lt, CVbankas.lt, Darbo.lt, LinkedIn, and WorkInLithuania.lt. These platforms offer a range of opportunities, including customer service roles, retail positions, internships, and teaching jobs.

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Full-time work options for international students in Lithuania

International students in Lithuania have different working hour restrictions depending on their nationality and visa status.

EU Students

EU students can work full-time, meaning up to 40 hours per week, without any limitations. EU students have the same rights as Lithuanian citizens, and there are no additional limitations. Being an EU citizen allows you to start working without having a residence card.

Non-EU Students with a Temporary Residence Permit

Non-EU students with a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) can work full-time (40 hours per week) during their studies without needing an additional work permit. Non-EU PhD students can also work full-time (40 hours per week). Masters students are also now allowed to work full-time without an additional work permit.

Non-EU Students with a National Visa

Non-EU students with a National Visa (D) will need to obtain a work permit.

Non-EU Students without a Residence Permit

Non-EU students without a residence permit can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies. They can work full-time (40 hours per week) during the summer vacation period, during the first 3 months after graduation, and during the final year of studies. After graduation, non-EU students can apply for a temporary residence permit for 12 months for job search and self-employment purposes. During these 12 months, no additional work permit is required.

Freelance Work

If you wish to work as a freelancer in Lithuania, you can work under the Individual Activity Certificate. This certificate allows you to sell your services to different companies or institutions, and there is no limit on income or working hours. Freelancers are responsible for paying their own taxes.

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Freelancing and self-employment opportunities for international students in Lithuania

International students in Lithuania have the right to work while studying, as long as they are enrolled in a university. EU students can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) without any additional permits. Non-EU Bachelor's and Master's students with a temporary residence permit (TRP) can also work up to 40 hours per week during their studies. However, they must declare their place of residence in Lithuania and may need a work permit. Non-EU PhD students with a TRP can also work full-time.

For international students interested in freelancing and self-employment, there are several opportunities in Lithuania. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Individual Activity Certificate: This is the most convenient way to work as a freelancer in Lithuania. The certificate allows you to sell your services to different companies or institutions without any limits on income or working hours. However, freelancers are responsible for paying taxes on their income.
  • Online Jobs: The rise of remote work has opened up various freelance opportunities for international students. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr offer a wide range of freelance gigs, including writing, graphic design, virtual assistance, and digital marketing.
  • Language Skills: International students with strong language skills can leverage their native languages to find freelance opportunities, such as language teaching or tutoring positions.
  • Work in International Companies: Some international companies in Lithuania may prefer hiring English-speaking employees, creating job opportunities for international students. Research multinational companies with a presence in Lithuania and inquire about openings or internships.
  • Part-time Work: Lithuania's job market offers numerous part-time roles suitable for students, especially in the service sector, which employs over 65% of the workforce. Students can find part-time jobs through platforms like CV.lt, CVbankas.lt, and Darbo.lt.
  • Seasonal Jobs: During school breaks, international students can take on seasonal jobs, such as retail or tourism positions, to earn money and gain work experience.
  • Legal Compliance: Ensure that you comply with Lithuanian tax regulations and labour laws. Even if you work for overseas clients, you must declare your income and pay taxes. Keep accurate records of your work and earnings.

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Internships for international students in Lithuania

International students in Lithuania have the right to work while studying, as long as they are enrolled in a university. EU students can work full-time, up to 40 hours per week, without needing an EU residence card. Non-EU Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD students with a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for studies are also allowed to work up to 40 hours per week during their studies, without requiring an additional work permit. However, non-EU students must declare their place of residence in Lithuania at the Migration Department's office or a municipality within one month of receiving their residence permit.

International students in Lithuania have a variety of internship opportunities available to them. Websites like Piktalent and JobTeaser offer internship placements in various Lithuanian cities, including Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipeda. These internships are spread across different industries and employers, such as ATEA, 100happydays foundation, and Novartis AG. The Lithuanian work environment is known for its blend of modernity and tradition, with a strong emphasis on employee empowerment, flexibility, and innovation. Relationships, trust, and mutual respect form the foundation of business decisions, and the country's focus on continuous learning ensures that interns feel valued and have the opportunity to contribute.

To find internships in Lithuania, international students can utilize platforms like Piktalent, which offers tailored internship programs and assists with visa applications. Students can also explore opportunities through "Work in Lithuania," an initiative that connects international talent with companies in the country. Additionally, students can refer to university websites, such as Kaunas University of Technology, which provides job portals and resources specifically aimed at making it easier for international students to find internships and jobs in Lithuania.

It is important to note that the duration and goals of internships in Lithuania can vary depending on the study program and the type of internship pursued. For example, voluntary internships require a written agreement between the student and the hiring company. To learn more about these specifics, students should contact their university or college. Additionally, international students should be mindful of any visa or residence permit requirements and stay updated with the latest migration laws, as these may impact their ability to work and the number of hours they are permitted to work during their studies.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, international students can work in Lithuania.

Students from the EU and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland can work up to 40 hours per week without any limitations. Non-EU students with a temporary residence permit can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.

EU students can work without a work permit. Non-EU students with a temporary residence permit for studies can work without an additional work permit.

Yes, international students can work as freelancers in Lithuania under an Individual Activity Certificate. There is no limit on income or working hours under this certificate.

Yes, international students can stay in Lithuania for 12 months after graduation to search for a job. Non-EU students can obtain a temporary residence permit for this period, which allows them to start working immediately without any additional permits.

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