Last updated: October 2026
Can you stay in Lithuania after graduation?
Yes, you can stay in Lithuania after graduation. Lithuania lets international graduates of its universities and colleges apply for a temporary residence permit (TRP) for 12 months to look for a job or to start working for themselves. This is often called the post-study or job-search permit.
There are three common ways to stay in Lithuania after graduation:
- The 12-month job-search permit, for graduates who do not have a job offer yet.
- A work-based TRP, if an employer is ready to hire you.
- An EU Blue Card, if you have a highly qualified job that meets the salary rules.
Some graduates also stay to continue studying, for example moving from a bachelor’s to a master’s programme, which means renewing a study-based permit. This guide focuses on the work routes.
How the post-study temporary residence permit in Lithuania works
According to Study in Lithuania, the official study portal, international students can stay for up to 15 months after their studies to look for work. That time comes in two parts. In your final year you can renew your study permit so that it lasts about three months past the end of your studies, and after graduating you can apply for the separate 12-month permit for job search and self-employment.
The old version of this article said that “in most cases the first three months are already included in your last student TRP”. That is close, but it is not automatic. Check the end date printed on your current card. If it ends before or shortly after graduation, plan your renewal or your post-study application early.
Who qualifies
Vilnius University’s residence permit guidance says the post-study temporary residence permit in Lithuania is only issued to people who hold a valid study-based TRP. It is not issued to visa holders. In practice, you need to:
- have completed your studies at a Lithuanian higher education institution,
- still hold a valid student TRP when you apply,
- show enough money to support yourself for the whole permit period,
- have health insurance and a declared place of residence in Lithuania.
Your diploma replaces the university’s mediation letter that you used for your student permit. If your diploma will not be ready before your student permit runs out, speak to your university’s international office straight away.
When to apply
If you plan to stay in Lithuania after graduation, apply while your student permit is still valid, and do not leave it to the last weeks. When the rules were relaxed in 2021, the Migration Department said graduates could apply within one year of obtaining their higher education qualification. Because the permit is only for holders of a valid study TRP, the practical deadline is the expiry date on your card.
For permit renewals, the EU Immigration Portal says standard applications go in at least two months, but not earlier than four months, before your current permit expires. Urgent applications must go in at least one month before. Decisions take up to two months, or up to one month if you pay for urgent processing. Our guide to Lithuania TRP processing time explains what to expect at each stage.
Requirements to stay in Lithuania after graduation
The checklist below is based on Vilnius University’s current guidance for the job-search permit. Other universities publish similar lists, so also check your own international office’s page.
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Application | Online form in the MIGRIS system |
| Passport | Valid passport |
| Current permit | Your valid study-based TRP |
| Proof of studies | Your diploma (instead of the mediation letter) |
| Funds | At least €1,245 for every month of the permit you request |
| Health insurance | Minimum cover of €10,000, valid until the permit expires |
| Accommodation | Documents showing a declared place of residence for the whole period |
| State fee | Paid before your application is processed, unless you use your one-time exemption |
How much money do you need?
Money is the biggest hurdle for most people who want to stay in Lithuania after graduation, and the biggest change from your student permit. As a student you showed €577 a month. For the job-search permit, Vilnius University’s checklist asks for at least €1,245 for each month of the permit. That equals the minimum monthly wage the Lithuanian government approved for 2027 (it is €1,153 in 2026), so expect the figure to move when the minimum wage changes.
For a full 12-month permit at €1,245 a month, that adds up to €14,940. If you know you want to stay in Lithuania after graduation, start saving in your final year. If you already have part-time income, keep your bank statements tidy and your salary paid into a Lithuanian or EU bank account.
State fee
The Migration Department’s fees page lists €160 for standard processing of a temporary residence permit and €320 for urgent processing. Vilnius University’s checklist quotes different amounts for this permit, so check the current fee in MIGRIS before you pay. There is good news here too: graduates who completed studies or research in Lithuania can be exempted from the state fee once, at their choice, for a permit issued under the general procedure.
Can you work on the post-study permit?
Yes, and this is what makes it worthwhile to stay in Lithuania after graduation. Since 1 March 2021, the Migration Department has said that graduates holding this permit can not only look for a job but also start working or become self-employed. They do not need a decision from the Employment Service confirming that their job meets the needs of the labour market. Work in Lithuania, a national initiative that helps foreign professionals move to Lithuania, also says graduates can move to a work-based residence permit once employed without needing a separate work permit.
The old version of this article said graduates on this permit must work in a field related to their studies. We could not find that rule in any official source, so we have removed it. You can take any legal job, but your employer may still have its own requirements.
From job-search permit to a work permit after graduation
Once you find a job you want to keep, you will usually switch to a work-based temporary residence permit. Getting a work permit after graduation is simpler than getting one from abroad. Recent graduates of Lithuanian institutions have two useful advantages here.
- Outside the quota. Lithuania caps the number of work-based permits each year, and the 2026 quota was used up in September. Work in Lithuania lists “Lithuanian university graduates with a diploma (≤5 years after graduation)” among the groups exempt from the quota.
- Fewer conditions. Law firm Sorainen reports that, from 22 May 2026, graduates of Lithuanian institutions are exempt for five years after finishing their studies (previously ten) from the extra conditions set for non-highly qualified workers, such as proving relevant qualifications, work experience or an average-salary offer.
These exemptions are a strong reason to stay in Lithuania after graduation rather than leave and try to come back later as a foreign worker. Rules in this area have changed several times in recent years, so confirm the details with the Migration Department or an adviser before your employer submits anything.
The EU Blue Card option
If you land a highly qualified role, the EU Blue Card may suit you better. According to Work in Lithuania, you need a higher education diploma (or long professional experience), an employment contract of at least six months, and a salary of at least 1.5 times the national average gross wage, or 1.2 times for occupations on the list of high value-added jobs with a shortage of workers. Blue Card holders are also outside the quota.
Our advice: work while you study
Our strongest recommendation has not changed since we first wrote this article. If you want to stay in Lithuania after graduation, start building a relationship with a company while you are still a student.
A part-time job or internship lets you build a rapport with a team and show them what you can do. When you graduate, that employer may be ready to hire you straight away. In that case you may be able to skip the job-search permit and move directly to a work-based permit with their help, which also saves you from proving €1,245 a month in savings.
Keep the 2026 changes in mind. Law firms Sorainen and Deloitte report that first- and second-year bachelor’s students now face a limit of 20 hours of work per week, except during the summer holidays set by their institution and practical training in the study programme. Our guide to ways to work while studying in Lithuania covers your options.
Timeline: from final semester to your next permit
Here is a simple plan if you want to stay in Lithuania after graduation. Adjust it to the end date on your own card.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Start of final year | Check your TRP end date. Start saving for the funds requirement. Look for an internship or part-time job in your field. |
| Final semester | If your card ends before or around graduation, renew it so it covers the months after your studies finish. Update your CV and start applying for jobs. |
| At least 2 months before your permit expires | Submit your application in MIGRIS: either the job-search permit, or a work-based permit if you already have an offer. |
| After graduation | Collect your diploma, keep your insurance and declared address valid, and attend your appointment. |
| During the 12 months | Work, freelance or job-hunt. Once you have a stable job, plan the switch to a work-based TRP or Blue Card well before the permit ends. |
If your application runs into trouble, read our guide on what to do when a Lithuania residence permit is refused.
Long-term options after your first job
Many graduates who stay in Lithuania after graduation start thinking about the long term once they have a stable job. The EU Immigration Portal says that after five years of continuous, legal residence in Lithuania you can apply for permanent residence. Lithuania’s Law on the Legal Status of Aliens also requires applicants for a permanent permit to pass exams in the Lithuanian language and in the basic principles of the Constitution.
How your years as a student count towards those five years depends on detailed rules set by the Ministry of the Interior. We could not confirm the exact method from an official source, so ask the Migration Department before you rely on it. One thing is certain: learning Lithuanian early helps. From 2026, foreigners who serve customers or sell goods must speak Lithuanian at a basic level, and the language matters for permanent residence later.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Letting your student permit expire. The post-study permit is only for holders of a valid study TRP.
- Underestimating the funds. The job-search permit needs more than double the monthly amount you showed as a student.
- Forgetting your address and insurance. Both must cover the whole period you request.
- Waiting for the perfect job. Twelve months goes quickly, and the people who manage to stay in Lithuania after graduation usually start early. Start applying in your final semester, not after graduation.
- Trusting unofficial advice. Rules changed in 2021 and again in 2026. Check MIGRIS, the Migration Department and your university before you act.
For practical job-hunting tips, read our guide on how to get a job in Lithuania after studies.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in Lithuania after graduation?
Study in Lithuania says international students can stay for up to 15 months after their studies: about three months on a renewed study permit, then up to 12 months on the job-search permit. After that you need a work-based permit, a Blue Card or another legal ground.
Do I need a work permit to stay in Lithuania after graduation?
Not while you hold the post-study permit. The Migration Department says graduates on this permit can start working without an Employment Service decision. When you switch to a work-based permit, recent graduates are exempt from the quota for up to five years after graduation.
How much money do I need for the post-study permit?
Vilnius University’s checklist asks for at least €1,245 for each month of the permit, plus health insurance with at least €10,000 cover. Check your own university’s list, as the amount follows the minimum wage.
Can I apply for the job-search permit if I studied on a visa?
No. Vilnius University says the permit is only issued to holders of a valid study-based TRP, not to visa holders.
Is the post-study temporary residence permit in Lithuania free?
Graduates of Lithuanian institutions can be exempted from the state fee once, at their choice. Otherwise, standard and urgent fees apply, so check the current amount in MIGRIS.
Planning to stay in Lithuania after graduation is much easier with a clear timeline and the right documents. If you would like help checking your dates, funds or next permit, our work visa and immigration support team can guide you. Book a free consultation and we will talk through your options.
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