Lithuania National Visa D from Pakistan: 2026 Work Permit and 24,706 Quota Guide

Lithuania operates the National Visa D framework as the principal long-stay visa for Pakistani applicants taking up employment, study, or family reunification in Lithuania. For employment purposes, the Pakistani applicant must hold both a Lithuanian work permit issued by the Lithuanian Migration Department and the National Visa D. The two-step structure is the primary procedural feature distinguishing Lithuania from countries operating Single Permit frameworks where work and residence are combined into one document.

For Pakistani professionals weighing Baltic options, Lithuania's combination of a sizeable annual quota (24,706 work permits for 2026), a fast 15-day visa decision target, and a competitive cost of living makes it accessible. Vilnius and Kaunas have growing technology sectors, and several international companies operate engineering and shared services centres in Lithuania that recruit Pakistani specialists.

Work Permit and Labour Market Test

The Lithuanian work permit application is filed by the prospective Lithuanian employer at the Employment Service. The employer must first advertise the position at the local labour services for at least 5 working days; if no suitable Lithuanian, EU/EEA, or legally resident third-country candidate is identified during the advertising period, the employer can proceed to apply for the work permit on behalf of the Pakistani applicant.

For shortage occupations on the Lithuanian Ministry of Social Security and Labour list, the labour market test is waived or simplified. Pakistani applicants in technology, engineering, healthcare, and certain skilled trades may benefit from the simplified procedure. The work permit is generally issued for the duration of the employment contract, up to a maximum of two years for first-time issuance.

National Visa D Application from Pakistan

With the work permit issued, the Pakistani applicant applies for the National Visa D at a Lithuanian consular post. Lithuania does not maintain an embassy in Pakistan; Pakistani applicants typically apply through the Lithuanian consular post in another EU member state with jurisdiction (often Warsaw or Riga) or through visa application centres operated under the Schengen visa framework.

The application requires the issued work permit, the employment contract, evidence of accommodation in Lithuania, evidence of sufficient funds, criminal record certificate from Pakistan with apostille, and biometric data captured at the consular post. The decision target is 15 days from a complete application; in practice, where coordination with the Lithuanian employer is good, the entire chain from work permit application to visa issuance can be six to eight weeks.

Quota Allocation and Sector Distribution

The 2026 work permit quota of 24,706 is distributed across sectors based on labour market demand assessments by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour. Technology, manufacturing, and transportation typically receive the largest allocations. Within sectors, individual employer applications are processed in chronological order until the sector quota is exhausted; once exhausted, the sector closes for the year and applications must wait for the following year's allocation.

Pakistani applicants should not assume quota space is available; the Lithuanian employer's HR or legal team should confirm the current quota status with the Lithuanian Migration Department before initiating an application. Where the relevant sector quota is near exhaustion, planning the application for early in the following calendar year may be the most reliable approach.

Tax Residence and Lithuania's Flat Tax Position

Lithuanian tax residence triggers after 183 days of presence in any 12-month period or where the applicant maintains a permanent home in Lithuania. Lithuania operates a personal income tax with progressive rates: 20 percent on income up to a defined threshold (with the threshold approximately equal to 60 average monthly salaries) and 32 percent on the excess. Social security contributions are deducted at source and are among the lower in the EU.

The Pakistan-Lithuania Double Tax Avoidance Agreement provides credit relief on Pakistani-source income. Pakistani applicants with continuing income from Pakistani sources should plan the tax position before relocation. The flat-rate component on income up to the threshold makes Lithuania attractive for Pakistani applicants with mid-range salaries, and the system is generally simpler than Western European progressive structures.

Path to EU Long-Term Residence and Lithuanian Citizenship

After five years of continuous legal residence in Lithuania, the holder qualifies for the EU Long-Term Residence permit. Continuous residence requires that the holder has not been outside Lithuania for more than six months in any single absence and 10 months in aggregate over the qualifying period. Lithuanian citizenship by naturalisation requires 10 years of legal residence, language proficiency in Lithuanian, knowledge of Lithuanian constitution, and a stable source of income.

Lithuania historically restricted dual nationality but has expanded the categories in which dual nationality is permitted, particularly for spouses of Lithuanian citizens and second-generation residents. Pakistani applicants should verify the dual nationality position at the time of any citizenship application because the rules continue to evolve.

Application Costs and Documentation

The Lithuania National Visa D fee is approximately EUR 120, plus the work permit fee of approximately EUR 200. Document preparation costs (HEC attestation, MOFA apostille, certified Lithuanian or English translation) typically add EUR 300 to EUR 500. Lithuania does not maintain an embassy in Pakistan; Pakistani applicants attend the Lithuanian Embassy in Warsaw or another EU consular post with jurisdiction.

Documentation includes the passport, the issued work permit, employment contract, evidence of qualifications, criminal record certificate from Pakistan with apostille, evidence of accommodation in Lithuania, and biometric data captured at the consular post. Pakistani applicants should prepare for the consular post visit logistically because travel to Warsaw or another European consular post is a meaningful step before the Lithuanian engagement begins.

Tax Residence and the Source Tax Calendar

Lithuanian tax residence triggers after 183 days of presence or where the Pakistani applicant maintains a permanent home in Lithuania. Lithuania operates progressive personal income tax (20 percent up to a defined threshold and 32 percent on the excess), with social security deducted at source at relatively low rates by EU standards. The Pakistan-Lithuania Double Tax Avoidance Agreement provides credit relief on Pakistani-source income.

Pakistani applicants taking up Lithuanian roles should plan the tax position before relocation. Where the FBR continues to treat the applicant as a Pakistani resident under its own rules, dual residence claims arise and are resolved under the treaty's tie-breaker provisions. Pakistani applicants should expect to file Lithuanian tax returns annually showing worldwide income with Pakistani-source income reported and treaty credit claimed.

Sectoral Demand and Vilnius as the Primary Destination

Lithuanian labour market demand for international specialists concentrates in Vilnius and Kaunas. Vilnius has a growing technology sector with several international companies operating fintech, ICT, and shared services centres; Kaunas has a strong manufacturing and engineering base. Pakistani specialists in technology, engineering, and finance find substantial demand from both Lithuanian-headquartered companies and EU subsidiaries operating Lithuania delivery centres.

Outside Vilnius and Kaunas, Lithuanian specialist employment for international applicants is more limited. Pakistani applicants whose offer is in Vilnius have the strongest pathway and the broadest career options if the initial role does not work out. Applicants whose offer is in a smaller centre should evaluate the broader prospects carefully because the small Lithuanian labour market produces narrower mobility within the country.

A Word on How This Work Should Be Handled

The route described above is governed by specific regulations and procedural rules that produce predictable outcomes when handled correctly. The figures, deadlines, and procedural steps in this guide are accurate as at 29 April 2026 and should be re-verified against the relevant official source before any application decision is made. Where any element of the framework changes between now and the application date, the changes will affect outcomes; static guides are useful but not a substitute for current verification.

LexForm prepares each application as legal work, not as a form-filling exercise. Where the route is genuinely a strong fit, careful preparation produces a clean grant on first application. Where the route is not the right fit, the same careful preparation surfaces that fact early. The first step is a short eligibility review against the applicant's specific facts; no fee for the initial assessment.