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

If you live in Uzbekistan and want to work legally in Europe, Lithuania is one of the most practical destinations. Lithuanian companies regularly hire skilled and manual workers in transport, construction, manufacturing, and logistics. The legal process is clear, but you must follow specific rules. You do not need to pay thousands of dollars to agencies or middlemen to get a job in Lithuania.

Lithuania processes foreign worker applications through an official online system called MIGRIS (the Lithuanian Migration Department). The process always begins with an employer in Lithuania submitting an official request, not with an agency in Tashkent. Before you spend money on document preparation or travel, this guide explains how the visa system works, where to submit your documents in Uzbekistan, and what expenses you will actually cover.

The work permit and visa route for Uzbek citizens

To work legally in Lithuania as a citizen of Uzbekistan, you need approval from the Lithuanian Migration Department (MIGRIS) followed by a National Visa D or a Temporary Residence Permit (Leidimas laikinai gyventi).

The process starts entirely with your employer in Lithuania. First, the employer must register the job opening with the Lithuanian Employment Service (Užimtumo tarnyba) unless your trade is on the official list of shortage occupations (Trūkstamų profesijų sąrašas). Trades on the shortage list, such as heavy truck drivers, welders, and concrete specialists, follow a faster process with simplified requirements.

Once the employer selects you for the role, they log into the MIGRIS online portal and file a formal request. The employer generates an official document called a mediation letter (Tarpininkavimo raštas). This document contains an electronic code. You need this code to submit your visa application. You cannot apply for a Lithuanian work visa without an official mediation letter number from your employer.

After your employer issues the mediation letter code, you must complete your application in Uzbekistan. You will submit your original documents, passport, and biometric data (fingerprints and photo) through an authorized visa application centre, such as VFS Global in Tashkent, or through an official MIGRIS external service partner appointment.

Required documents and legalisation in Uzbekistan

Preparing your documents correctly in Uzbekistan is essential to avoid visa delays or rejections. Every official document issued by Uzbek authorities must be properly translated and legalised.

You must prepare the following key documents:

• Valid international passport: Your Uzbek passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned stay in Lithuania and contain at least two blank pages.
• MIGRIS mediation letter number: The official electronic code generated by your employer through the Lithuanian MIGRIS portal.
• Uzbekistan police clearance certificate: You must request an official certificate of non-criminal record through the Public Services Agency or the My.gov.uz portal in Uzbekistan. This document must have an official Apostille stamp attached by the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.
• Proof of qualifications and work history: You must provide evidence of your work experience, such as your employment record book (trudovaya knizhka), professional diplomas, trade certificates, or international driving credentials (such as Code 95 for drivers).
• Signed employment contract: A binding agreement from the employer in Lithuania stating your job position, salary, working hours, and job conditions.
• Health insurance: Travel medical insurance covering medical emergencies in Lithuania and the Schengen area until you are covered by public health insurance.
• Biometrics: Digital facial photographs and fingerprints collected during your in-person appointment in Tashkent.

All documents written in Uzbek or Russian must be translated into Lithuanian or English by a certified translator. The Apostille stamp on your Uzbek police clearance is mandatory so Lithuanian immigration authorities can verify its authenticity.

Costs, fees, and processing times in 2026

Knowing your costs ahead of time helps you manage your budget and avoid scam artists. Some costs are official government fees set by Lithuania, while others are local expenses in Uzbekistan.

The official state fee for a Lithuanian National Visa D application is set by Lithuania and is approximately €120 to €140. If you apply directly for a Temporary Residence Permit, the state fee is approximately €120 to €160, depending on whether you choose standard or expedited processing. You will also pay a service handling fee at the visa centre in Tashkent, which is approximately €20 to €35.

Processing times vary by season. A National Visa D application usually takes approximately 15 to 30 days after your appointment in Tashkent. A Temporary Residence Permit takes longer, usually requiring approximately 1 to 3 months.

In Uzbekistan, you will cover these personal setup expenses:

• Police clearance and Apostille stamp: Approximately 200,000 UZS to 600,000 UZS (around €15 to €45).
• Certified translations and notarization: Approximately 400,000 UZS to 1,000,000 UZS (around €30 to €75).
• Medical check and travel insurance: Approximately 300,000 UZS to 800,000 UZS (around €22 to €60).
• Flight from Tashkent to Vilnius: Approximately 3,500,000 UZS to 7,500,000 UZS (around €260 to €550). Many reliable employers cover or reimburse travel expenses after you arrive.

Under European and Lithuanian regulations, employers and recruitment agencies are legally forbidden from charging workers a fee for securing a job. The employer must pay recruitment costs in Lithuania. Be extra cautious of unauthorized agencies in Uzbekistan asking for large cash payments for job placements. Never pay an agency for a job offer.

In-demand trades hiring foreign workers

Lithuanian employers regularly bring in foreign trade specialists to meet workforce shortages in key industries.

• International truck drivers: Transport firms hire drivers with category C and CE licenses to operate long-haul freight vehicles across European supply routes.
• Construction workers: Construction companies employ welders, bricklayers, concrete workers, and facade specialists for residential and commercial infrastructure.
• Warehouse and food processing staff: Logistics and production facilities recruit warehouse operators, order pickers, and line workers for packaging operations.

Myths vs facts

Understanding the actual rules prevents costly errors during your job search. Here are common misunderstandings among workers from Uzbekistan.

• Myth: You must pay an agency in Tashkent thousands of dollars to receive a work permit. Fact: Work permits and MIGRIS mediation letters are issued directly by employers without charging the worker, and paying for job placement is illegal.
• Myth: A Lithuanian work visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Western Europe. Fact: A Lithuanian National Visa D authorises you to work only for the specific employer named in your permit in Lithuania, though you can visit other Schengen countries as a tourist.
• Myth: You do not need formal trade certificates if you have practical experience. Fact: Lithuanian immigration authorities demand official proof of work experience, such as your employment record book (trudovaya knizhka) or accredited training diplomas.
• Myth: You can enter Lithuania on a tourist visa and start working immediately. Fact: Working on a tourist visa is strictly illegal in Lithuania and will result in fines, immediate deportation, and a multi-year ban from the Schengen area.

Before you sign

Before accepting a job offer or booking travel from Uzbekistan, complete this practical safety checklist:

• Verify the MIGRIS code: Confirm that your employer provides an official mediation letter code issued directly through the online MIGRIS portal.
• Check shortage list rules: Find out if your trade is listed on Lithuania's shortage list to understand processing times and document rules.
• Review contract terms: Ensure your contract details your job title, base pay, working hours, and payment schedule clearly.
• Confirm housing details: Get written details about where you will live, who pays for rent, and how much is deducted from your earnings for utilities.
• Obtain the Apostille: Order your police record certificate early and ensure it has an official Apostille stamp attached in Uzbekistan.
• Keep duplicate documents: Keep clear digital and physical copies of your employment contract, MIGRIS code, visa receipts, and passport.

Build your profile on Workuro

If you are a trade specialist or skilled worker in Uzbekistan, take the first step by setting up your worker profile on Workuro. Add your trade details, such as truck driving, welding, construction, or warehouse logistics. Note that your passport, qualification records, and Uzbek police clearance are ready, and list your language skills in English, Russian, or Lithuanian. Direct European employers search the registry to connect with qualified workers directly through legal hiring channels. Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.