Working in Lithuania from Ghana: Visa, Permit, Costs (2026)

Moving from Ghana to Lithuania for work is a real option, but you must follow the official legal path. Lithuania is a popular destination in Northern Europe for skilled and manual trades, especially in international transport, construction, and manufacturing. However, you cannot simply buy a plane ticket and look for work on arrival. You must have a confirmed employer in Lithuania before you apply for your visa or residence permit.

If you are looking for general manual work without specific trade qualifications, Lithuania can be challenging due to strict annual hiring quotas set by the Lithuanian government. If the quota for a specific trade is filled for the year, your employer must complete a labor market test through the Employment Service. If you want faster options for general labor, nearby countries like Poland or Slovakia sometimes offer larger work quotas for non-EU workers. But for skilled trades like heavy truck driving, welding, and specialized construction, Lithuania actively recruits workers from abroad.

The legal work route from Ghana to Lithuania

To work legally in Lithuania as a Ghanaian citizen, you need either a National Visa D for work or a Temporary Residence Permit based on employment. You cannot apply for these documents without an official job offer from a registered company in Lithuania.

• Who applies first: The employer in Lithuania must start the process. They register a job offer with the Lithuanian Migration Department (MIGRIS) and request a mediation number (Tarpininkavimo raštas). If the job falls outside the national shortage list or quota, the employer must first apply for a Work Permit (Leidimas dirbti) from the Lithuanian Employment Service (Užimtumo tarnyba).
• Where you apply in Ghana: Once your employer completes the MIGRIS online process and gives you the mediation number, you submit your visa application and biometrics. Ghanaian applicants apply through the official Lithuanian visa application centre serving Ghana (such as VFS Global in Accra) or the designated Lithuanian embassy handling regional applications. You must book an appointment online before going to the submission centre.

Documents you need from Ghana

Lithuanian migration authorities require clean, official paperwork. You must gather all your documents in Ghana before submitting your application at the visa centre.

• Valid passport: Your Ghanaian passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned stay in Lithuania and have at least two blank pages.
• Work contract or offer: An official employment contract signed by your Lithuanian employer, stating your job title, duties, working hours, and monthly salary.
• Police clearance certificate: A clean criminal record check issued by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Accra.
• Proof of qualifications: School certificates, vocational diplomas, trade test certificates, or reference letters from previous employers in Ghana proving your work experience.
• Apostille and legalisation: Your police clearance certificate and trade qualifications must be legalised or apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Accra so that Lithuanian authorities accept them as genuine.
• Health insurance: A valid travel medical insurance policy covering at least 30,000 EUR in medical expenses across the Schengen area for your initial travel period.
• Biometrics: Your digital photo and fingerprints taken in person during your appointment at the visa centre in Ghana.

Official fees, processing times, and real costs

Moving overseas requires careful financial planning. Here is what you should expect regarding official government fees and personal expenses in Ghana.

• National Visa D fee: The official government fee is approximately 120 EUR to 140 EUR, set by Lithuania.
• Temporary Residence Permit fee: Paid to MIGRIS, approximately 160 EUR for standard processing or 320 EUR for urgent processing.
• Visa centre service fee: The application centre in Ghana charges a service fee of approximately 30 EUR to 50 EUR.
• Official processing time: Visa processing usually takes approximately 2 to 6 weeks after your appointment, while a residence permit application takes approximately 1 to 3 months.
• Police clearance in Ghana: Getting your CID clearance certificate in Accra costs approximately 500 GHS to 1,000 GHS (about 35 EUR to 70 EUR).
• Apostille at MFA Accra: Document legalisation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs costs approximately 300 GHS to 600 GHS (about 20 EUR to 40 EUR) per document.
• Medical exam and insurance: Medical checkups and basic travel health insurance cost approximately 1,500 GHS to 3,000 GHS (about 100 EUR to 200 EUR).
• Flight ticket: A one-way flight from Accra to Vilnius or Kaunas typically costs approximately 8,000 GHS to 15,000 GHS (about 500 EUR to 1,000 EUR), depending on the season and airline.

Avoid recruitment fee scams

Understanding European employment laws will protect your money and your safety when looking for opportunities overseas.

• Employers pay recruitment costs: Under EU and Lithuanian rules, legitimate employers or licensed recruitment agencies pay for recruitment. An employer or agency is not allowed to sell you a job contract or force you to pay for a work permit.
• Beware of fake job offers: Fraudulent agents in Ghana often ask for millions of Old Cedis or thousands of US Dollars claiming they can guarantee a visa. No agent can guarantee a visa because only the Lithuanian Migration Department can grant entry.
• Check the mediation number: Never pay money to anyone claiming to have a job for you unless they can provide a valid MIGRIS mediation number that you can verify directly with the employer in Lithuania.

Trades Lithuania actively hires for

Lithuanian companies regularly look for foreign workers in specific technical and manual sectors where local labor is in short supply.

• International truck drivers: Transport companies hire long-distance heavy vehicle drivers who possess valid heavy vehicle licenses and Code 95 qualifications.
• Construction specialists: Building firms hire experienced masons, welders, concrete workers, and electricians for commercial and residential construction projects.
• Industrial welders and fabricators: Manufacturing facilities recruit certified welders who can work with structural steel and industrial machinery.

Myths vs facts

Here are common misunderstandings Ghanaian workers have about working legally in Lithuania.

• Myth: You can enter Lithuania on a tourist visa and start working immediately.
  Fact: Working on a tourist visa is illegal in Lithuania and will lead to deportation, fines, and a long-term ban from the Schengen area.
• Myth: An agent in Accra can guarantee you a Lithuanian work visa if you pay enough money.
  Fact: Only the Lithuanian government makes visa decisions, and paying an agent does not guarantee approval.
• Myth: You must speak fluent Lithuanian to get a trade job.
  Fact: Many international trade companies operate in English or Russian, though learning basic Lithuanian helps you settle in quickly.
• Myth: You can bring your family with you right away on your first work permit.
  Fact: Most trade workers must complete a waiting period and meet income requirements before applying for family reunification.

Before you sign

Review this checklist carefully before accepting any job offer or signing an employment agreement.

• Check the employer identity: Verify that the company is officially registered in Lithuania and has a real business address.
• Verify the salary and hours: Ensure the contract clearly lists your monthly wage in Euros, weekly working hours, and overtime terms.
• Confirm accommodation arrangements: Ask who pays for your housing in Lithuania and whether the cost will be deducted directly from your salary.
• Keep original documents: Never give your original passport or trade certificates to any agent or recruiter.
• Check travel costs: Clarify whether the employer provides your flight ticket or if you must pay for it yourself upfront.
• Verify MIGRIS details: Ensure your employer has submitted your details into the official MIGRIS online portal before you pay any visa fees.

Build your Workuro profile today

Take the first step toward finding legitimate work in Europe by setting up your worker profile on Workuro. Make sure to list your exact trade skills, valid passport details, trade test certificates, driving licenses, and your current location in Ghana. Employers across Lithuania search the registry directly when they need qualified trade workers. Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.