Refugee Status and Subsidiary Protection

To apply for international protection in Lithuania, you must declare your request for asylum immediately upon entering the country or as soon as the danger in your home country arises. You cannot apply for this status online; it must be done in person through a formal declaration to a government official.

Where to Submit Your Request

Depending on your location and how you enter Lithuania, you must apply at one of the following locations:

• At the Border: Inform the State Border Guard Service (Valstybės sienos apsaugos tarnyba) at any border crossing point or transit zone.
• Inside Lithuania: Visit a territorial office of the Migration Department (Migracijos departamentas).
• At a Detention Center: If you are already being held, you can apply at the Foreigners’ Registration Centre (Užsieniečių registracijos centras) in Pabradė.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. The Declaration: Tell the officer clearly that you are seeking "asylum" or "international protection." You do not need a lawyer for this initial step.
2. Identification and Biometrics: Officials will take your fingerprints and photographs. These are checked against the Eurodac database to see if you have applied for asylum in another EU country.
3. Initial Interview: You will undergo a preliminary interview to establish your identity, your travel route to Lithuania, and the basic reasons why you cannot return home.
4. Admissibility Assessment: The Migration Department will review your case to see if Lithuania is the country responsible for your application under the Dublin III Regulation (for example, if you first entered the EU through another country, you might be sent back there).
5. Substantive Examination: If your case is admitted, you will have a detailed, in-depth interview. You must explain your well-founded fear of persecution (for Refugee Status) or the risk of serious harm (for Subsidiary Protection). You should present all evidence you have, such as:
   • Passports or ID cards.
   • Court documents, medical records, or witness statements.
   • News articles or reports supporting your claim.
6. The Decision: The Migration Department will issue a written decision. If successful, you will be granted either Refugee Status (usually resulting in a 5-year Permanent Residence Permit) or Subsidiary Protection (resulting in a 2-year Temporary Residence Permit).

There are no government fees for the asylum application process or the initial residence permit issued after protection is granted.

Total Estimate: €0.00. Note: This does not include costs for obtaining or translating personal documents before your arrival, or private legal counsel if you choose not to use the free state-guaranteed legal aid.

The processing time depends on the complexity of your case and the current volume of applications.

• Standard Procedure: The Migration Department aims to reach a decision within 3 to 6 months.
• Complex Cases: The period can be extended by an additional 3 months if the case requires more investigation.
• Accelerated Procedure: If you are from a "Safe Country of Origin," your application may be processed much faster, but with a higher burden of proof on you.
• Appeals: If your application is rejected, you have 14 days from the date of the decision to file an appeal with the Regional Administrative Court.
• Document Validity:
  • Refugee Status permits are typically valid for 5 years and are renewable.
  • Subsidiary Protection permits are valid for 2 years and are renewable.