Further to earlier facts on studies in Lithuania, new information from LRT.lt reveals that as of July, Lithuania has changed the procedure for non-EU nationals wishing to study in the country. Instead of one-year visas, prospective students have to apply for residence permits. Universities warn this means longer waiting periods and less accessibility. The change in the procedure means that foreign students are no longer issued national visas for one year, but have to apply for a two-year temporary residence permit. According to higher education institutions, the wait is longer and both universities and students need to submit more documents. Dovilė Jodenytė, director of the Centre for International Studies at Vilnius Tech noted that “Students have to submit a certificate that they don’t have criminal convictions and in some countries it can take up to a month or even two to obtain this certificate”.
Higher education institutions say because of the more complicated examination process, some students will be delayed and won’t arrive until November, two months into the academic year. Others may have to postpone their studies altogether. According to the Conference of University Rectors, the government should have given more time for universities to prepare. In turn, the Migration Department claims that universities were notified of the changes in spring and application processing time has been cut three times since last year. The Migration Department invited the public – including universities – to make suggestions before the new rules were adopted. “Universities could have submitted proposals to postpone the entry into force date,” says Lucija Voišnis, deputy director of the Migration Department.
The Migration Department estimates that the number of international students from outside the EU in Lithuania is increasing every year. In the first six months of this year, the agency has received more than 2,000 applications.
National visas will continue to be issued to those coming under exchange programmes, states the Department.
