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

Moving from the Philippines to Lithuania: What to expect

Lithuania has become a major destination in Northern Europe for international trade workers, particularly in logistics, construction, and manufacturing. If you are a Filipino worker with practical experience as a welder, truck driver, mason, or factory worker, Lithuania offers realistic legal pathways to work in Europe. The country relies on skilled foreign workers to support its growing industries, but you must follow strict legal procedures to get there.

To manage foreign hiring, Lithuania uses an annual quota system (*kvota*) for foreign workers in recognized shortage occupations. When an employer hires within the quota for a shortage trade, the process moves faster. If the quota for that trade is exhausted, the Lithuanian employer must apply for a formal labor market decision from the Employment Service (*Užimtumo tarnyba*) before you can apply for your visa. While the process takes patience, securing a legal job in Lithuania gives you strong labor protections, fair wages, and a clear legal status in the Schengen area.

The visa and permit route for Filipino workers

To work legally in Lithuania, the hiring process always starts with your employer in Lithuania, not with the worker in the Philippines. You cannot apply for a work visa without an official employment permit or registered job offer processed in Lithuania first.

• Employment approval: Your Lithuanian employer lodges an application with the Lithuanian Employment Service (*Užimtumo tarnyba*) or registers your employment code under the Shortage List (*Trūkstamų profesijų sąrašas*).
• MIGRIS portal registration: Once the labor approval is granted, the employer submits an electronic application through MIGRIS, the official migration department portal of Lithuania. You will receive a unique application reference number.
• National Visa D or TRP: Most Filipino workers initially apply for a National Visa D (*Nacionalinė viza D*), which is a long-term multi-entry work visa valid for up to one year. Alternatively, some employers apply directly for a Temporary Residence Permit (*Laikinas leidimas gyventi*), which can be valid for up to two years.
• Submitting in the Philippines: You must submit your physical documents, passport, and biometrics at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Manila (or the nearest authorized visa processing centre serving the Philippines). You do not need to travel outside the Philippines to submit your application.

Documents you need and the Apostille process

Preparing accurate paperwork in the Philippines is the most critical part of your application. Missing documents or incorrect legalisations will cause delays or rejections.

• Valid passport: Your Philippine passport must be valid for at least three to six months beyond your intended stay in Lithuania, with at least two blank visa pages.
• Signed employment contract: An official contract signed by your Lithuanian employer, detailing your position, monthly salary, weekly work hours, and site location.
• NBI clearance: A fresh clearance certificate from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Philippines.
• DFA Apostille: Lithuania is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Your NBI clearance, TESDA certifications, and official employment certificates must be legalised with an Apostille authentication certificate from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines. Plain notarisation or Red Ribbon seals from older years are not valid.
• Proof of professional experience: Certificates of employment, trade licenses, or TESDA National Certificates proving you have at least one to two years of documented work experience in your trade.
• Health insurance: International travel medical insurance valid for all Schengen states, covering emergency medical care and repatriation.
• Biometrics: Your digital photograph and fingerprints, captured in person at your VFS Global submission appointment in the Philippines.

Costs in the Philippines and official Lithuania visa fees

Understanding the costs involved helps you budget safely and avoid financial exploitation. Official government fees are set by Lithuania, while local costs depend on Philippine agency standards.

• Official Lithuania National Visa D fee: The government fee set by Lithuania is approximately 140 EUR (around 8,500 PHP).
• Temporary Residence Permit fee: If applying directly for a residence permit, the government application fee ranges from approximately 160 EUR to 320 EUR, depending on whether standard or expedited processing is chosen.
• VFS processing fee: The visa application centre in the Philippines charges a service handling fee of approximately 30 EUR to 40 EUR (around 1,800 PHP to 2,500 PHP).
• Philippine document costs: Obtaining an NBI clearance costs approximately 150 PHP to 200 PHP. A DFA Apostille certificate costs approximately 100 PHP to 200 PHP per document.
• Medical examination: An official OFW medical examination at an accredited clinic in the Philippines typically ranges from 3,000 PHP to 6,000 PHP (approximately 50 EUR to 100 EUR).
• Flight tickets: A single airfare ticket from Manila to Vilnius or Kaunas ranges between 400 EUR and 700 EUR (approximately 25,000 PHP to 43,000 PHP). In many legitimate contracts, employers cover or reimburse travel costs upon arrival.
• Processing time: Visa decisions generally take approximately 2 to 6 weeks after your VFS appointment, while a Temporary Residence Permit takes approximately 1 to 3 months. Always verify exact current fees on the official MIGRIS website.

Placement fees and avoiding scams

Under Lithuanian labor legislation and European Union rules, charging workers placement fees for securing a job is prohibited. Employers carry the cost of recruitment, labor market testing, and local registration fees.

In the Philippines, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) enforces strict rules regarding worker protection. Foreign employers and licensed agencies must follow clear guidelines on allowable expenses. Be extremely cautious of illegal fixers or unauthorized agencies demanding upfront payments under terms like "reservation fees," "guaranteed slot allocations," or "expedited visa fees." Never pay money into personal bank accounts or GCash numbers. Always demand an official receipt and verify that any recruitment agency in the Philippines holds a valid license on the official DMW portal.

In-demand trades in Lithuania

Lithuanian companies actively hire foreign workers in specific skilled manual sectors where local labor is unavailable.

• International truck drivers: Logistics companies hire experienced heavy-vehicle drivers holding CE licenses for long-distance freight routes across the European Union.
• Welders and fabricators: Manufacturing facilities and shipyards in cities like Klaipėda hire certified MIG, MAG, and TIG welders for heavy industrial production.
• Construction trade specialists: Masons, carpenters, concrete workers, and steel fixers are regularly recruited for commercial and infrastructure projects.

Myths vs facts

Myth: You can travel to Lithuania on a standard Schengen tourist visa and convert it to a work permit after finding a job.

Fact: You cannot work legally on a tourist visa. You must receive your official employment approval from the Lithuanian authorities and your work visa before you enter the country for employment.

Myth: You must speak fluent Lithuanian to get hired for a trade job.

Fact: Many international transport and construction firms in Lithuania operate daily in English or basic conversational Russian, though learning basic Lithuanian phrases will help you greatly in daily life.

Myth: Paying a higher fee to a local agent guarantees that your Lithuanian visa will be approved.

Fact: Only the Lithuanian Migration Department (*Migracijos departamentas*) has the legal authority to grant or deny a visa. No private agency can guarantee a visa approval.

Myth: A Lithuanian work visa allows you to freely work for any company in Germany, France, or other EU countries.

Fact: Your work visa and permit are strictly tied to your registered employer in Lithuania. Working for another company or in another EU country without a new work authorization is illegal.

Before you sign

Before signing an employment contract or making travel plans, complete this safety check:

• Ensure your job contract explicitly lists your job title, exact workplace location, basic monthly salary, regular working hours, and overtime conditions.
• Verify that your employer has registered your work permit approval with the Employment Service (*Užimtumo tarnyba*) or submitted your file through the MIGRIS portal.
• Check that your contract clearly states who covers your airfare, local transportation, and initial accommodation arrangements upon arrival in Lithuania.
• Confirm that your NBI clearance and trade certificates carry a valid DFA Apostille certificate from the Philippines.
• Ensure your recruitment agency in the Philippines is fully licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and that your contract is properly processed.

Build your Workuro profile today

If you are a Filipino worker skilled in welding, driving, construction, or industrial manufacturing, taking the right first step is simple. Create a complete online profile that highlights your trade qualifications, TESDA certifications, work history, passport readiness, and language skills. Employers in Lithuania and across Europe search for qualified candidates who have their documentation ready for legal hiring. Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.