Last checked: November 2026
This is the process everyone has to go through when coming to Lithuania from Cameroon, Zimbabwe or anywhere else, and the decision itself could be the slow part. The weeks disappear in the steps around it. Below is a realistic month-by-month timeline, two planning tables (September and February starts), and the delays we see most often.
Lithuania TRP processing time: the official figures
Full-time degree students from outside the EU need a temporary residence permit (TRP), not a visa. Lithuania stopped issuing national D visas for full-time study, so the TRP is the only route for degree students. Here is what the official sources say about timing.
| Stage | Official time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decision, applying from abroad (via VFS) | Up to 2 months | Can be extended by up to 2 more months if the Migration Department suspends the case, but generally at most 3 months if no issue |
| Decision, applying inside Lithuania (standard) | Up to 2 months | Only possible if you are already legally in Lithuania |
| Decision, urgent (inside Lithuania only) | Up to 1 month | Higher state fee; not available through VFS |
| Card production and delivery abroad | Up to 20 days | Card collected at VFS where you applied |
| Card production in Lithuania | 5 to 10 days | After a positive decision |
You may also read that a decision takes up to three months. That figure appears on the European Commission’s EU Immigration Portal page for students in Lithuania. The Migration Department announced that legal changes from 2 January 2023 shortened processing by one month, and universities now quote two months. Plan on two, but do not book non-refundable travel until the decision is in, because suspensions do happen.
The full timeline, step by step
1. Choose programmes and apply (1 to 2 months)
Shortlisting, gathering certificates and writing motivation letters usually takes a month or more, especially if your university back home is slow with transcripts. Non-EU deadlines are earlier than EU ones because of the permit. Our application support team can help you get a clean application in on the first attempt.
2. Wait for the offer (2 to 6 weeks)
Universities assess documents in batches, and some hold online interviews or entrance tests. Results often arrive within a few weeks, but this varies by programme and month.
3. Pay the tuition deposit (1 to 2 weeks)
Most universities will not request your mediation letter (the university’s invitation in MIGRIS) until you have paid. Vilnius University, for example, asks for the first year’s tuition within 15 calendar days of the offer. International transfers from some African banks can take a week or more to arrive, so allow for that.
4. Start your police certificate and legalisation early (2 to 8 weeks)
This is the step that most often wrecks timelines. Your criminal record certificate must be apostilled, or double-legalised if your country is not in the Apostille Convention. Nigeria, for example, needs the longer legalisation chain, which we explain in our guide to studying in Lithuania from Nigeria. The certificate must be issued no more than 6 months before you submit your originals, so do not start too early either.
5. Submit the online application in MIGRIS (1 to 2 weeks)
Once your university uploads the mediation letter, you get an invitation to complete the TRP form in MIGRIS and upload scans. You should appl for the permit as soon as possible once you receive the mediation letter/number. Your bank statement must be issued no earlier than 1 month before you apply, so time it to match. For what the statement needs to show, see our guide to proof of funds for a Lithuania student permit.
6. Book and attend biometrics (1 to 6 weeks)
Since 22 October 2025, appointments at VFS centres are booked inside MIGRIS rather than on the VFS website. The wait depends on the centre. If your country has no Lithuanian TRP desk, you may need to travel: Nigerians, for instance, usually go to VFS Accra in Ghana, while Zimbabweans have had a Harare centre since 22 October 2025.
7. Wait for the decision (up to 2 months)
The clock for the Lithuania TRP processing time effectively starts when your originals and biometrics reach the Migration Department. Some students are also invited to a remote interview with a migration officer, and missing it can end the application. Check MIGRIS and your email regularly. If the answer is no, our article on what to do when a Lithuania residence permit is refused explains your options.
8. Card production and collection (1 to 3 weeks)
After a positive decision, the card is produced and sent to the VFS centre (up to 20 days), or you collect it in Lithuania if you’re able to enter Lithuania legally, for example, if you were already staying legally in another EU country. Wait for the MIGRIS notification before you go to collect it.
9. Travel and declare your residence (within 1 month)
With the card in hand, you can fly to Lithuania. You then need to declare your place of residence within 1 month of collecting the permit, at the municipality or eldership, or as part of a Migration Department visit. Arrange your housing early; our accommodation support page explains how we can help.
Timeline working back from a September start
This plan assumes a 1 September start and standard processing through VFS.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| October to December | Shortlist programmes, request transcripts, book an English test if needed |
| January to March | Apply to universities; start saving and keeping funds steady in your account |
| March to April | Receive offers, pay tuition, apply for your police certificate |
| April to May | Legalise or apostille the certificate, buy health insurance, get your bank statement |
| May (by early June at the latest) | Submit in MIGRIS, book and attend biometrics |
| June to July | Decision window (up to 2 months); attend any interview |
| August | Card produced and collected; book flights |
| Late August to September | Travel, declare residence, register at university |
Timeline working back from a February start
Only some programmes, mostly at colleges and a few private institutions, take new non-EU students in February. SMK, for instance, has listed 1 December as its non-EU deadline for a 1 February start. That leaves very little room, so the steps have to overlap.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| June to August | Shortlist spring-intake programmes and confirm they accept non-EU students |
| August to September | Apply; request your police certificate as soon as you apply |
| September to October | Receive offer, pay tuition, legalise the certificate |
| October (early November at the latest) | Submit in MIGRIS and attend biometrics |
| November to December | Decision window; note that public holidays at the end of December can slow things down |
| January | Card collected, flights booked, travel |
| Late January to February | Arrive, declare residence, start classes |
If you apply to the university in late November and submit biometrics in December, a February start is unlikely. Ask the university in writing whether you can defer to September if the permit arrives late.
Common delays (and how to avoid them)
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- Police certificate legalisation. Embassy stamps and ministry queues can take weeks. Start as soon as you have an offer if in keeping with validity requirements for the application.
- Bank statements that are too old or too new. A statement older than the allowed window, or one showing a sudden large deposit, can lead to a request for more documents or a refusal.
- Insurance that does not match the permit dates. Your health insurance must cover the whole permit period, with at least €30,000 in cover.
- Translation problems. Documents that are not in Lithuanian or English may need certified translations, and some must be translated in Lithuania.
- No local VFS slots. Popular centres fill up in May and June. Book as soon as MIGRIS lets you.
- Suspended applications. If the Migration Department asks for more information, the clock can stop. Answer quickly and fully.
- Passport validity. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the requested permit, or the card will be shorter than your course.
Can you speed up a Lithuania student permit?
Partly. The urgent procedure (decision within 1 month) is only available when you apply in person in Lithuania, and it costs more: €320 versus the general procedure fee of €80. Most first-time students apply from abroad, so it rarely helps them.
What really saves time is preparation:
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- Apply to universities early in the cycle, ideally by March for September.
- Start your police certificate the week you get an offer.
- Prepare a complete, consistent document set using our list of documents for a Lithuania student permit.
- Book biometrics the day MIGRIS allows it.
- Answer any Migration Department request within days, not weeks.
If you would like someone to check your paperwork before you submit, our student visa and immigration support covers exactly this. We cannot speed up the Migration Department, and nobody honestly can, but we can help you avoid the mistakes that cost weeks.
FOUNDER NOTE: our most recent students had a wait of about 2 months from the time they had their interview with the migration department.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Lithuanian TRP take after biometrics?
Up to 2 months for a decision under standard processing, then up to 20 days for the card to be produced and delivered if you applied through VFS. The decision can take longer if your application is suspended for more information.
Is the processing time 2 months or 3 months?
Universities and the Migration Department currently quote up to 2 months. Plan for two and leave a buffer.
Can I travel to Lithuania while my TRP is being processed?
Only if you have another legal basis to enter, such as visa-free travel or a valid Schengen visa. A pending TRP application does not allow you to enter or stay, and Lithuania will not issue a national visa for full-time study while you wait.
When should I apply for a TRP for a September intake?
Aim to submit in MIGRIS and attend biometrics by May, and no later than early June.
What happens if my permit is late and classes have started?
Contact your university straight away. Some allow late arrival for a few weeks, and others let you defer to the next intake. Get any agreement in writing.
The Lithuania TRP processing time is manageable when you treat the whole journey as a nine-month project rather than a two-month wait. If you would like help building your own timeline, book a free consultation with us and we will go through it step by step.
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