Study in Lithuania for Indian students is still open in 2026. Three rules changed, and each one has a date.
On 22 May 2026, first- and second-year bachelor's students on new study permits got a 20-hour weekly work cap. On 1 November 2026, people who enter Lithuania on a Schengen visa or another country's national visa lost the right to file a permit there. They must apply through VFS Global abroad. For studies, this hits bachelor's applicants only. New study permits also carry an 8-year total limit.
Master's and doctoral students can now bring family right away. Indian applicants still file through MIGRIS and give biometrics at VFS Global in India.
2026 changes at a glance
Many students add Lithuania to their Study in Europe shortlist. The law moves fast, so dates matter. Check the issue date on your own permit, because it decides which rules you follow. The table names who each change hits and when it started. All four are in force today.
| Change | Date | Applies to | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-hour weekly work cap | 22 May 2026 | Bachelor's years 1 and 2, new permits | In force |
| 8-year study permit cap | 22 May 2026 | New study permits | In force |
| Immediate family reunification | 22 May 2026 | Master's, doctoral, residents | In force |
| In-country filing restriction | 1 Nov 2026 | Bachelor's applicants on a Schengen or other-country visa | In force |
How many hours can Indian students work in Lithuania in 2026?
Bachelor's students in years 1 and 2 can work up to 20 hours a week if their study permit was issued on or after 22 May 2026. Master's, doctoral and later-year students face no such cap. Your permit already carries the right to work, so you need no separate work permit.
| Your situation | Weekly limit |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's year 1-2, permit issued on or after 22 May 2026 | 20 hours |
| Bachelor's year 3+, master's, doctoral | Standard full-time week (about 40 hours) |
| Study permit issued before the law took effect | The 20-hour cap does not apply; confirm with the Migration Department |
| Summer holiday and curriculum practice | Not counted toward the cap |
Students whose permit came before the law took effect keep the old rules.
Summer holidays and student practice do not count toward the cap. Ask your university for the official holiday dates in writing.
Add up the hours from every job you hold.
Ask the Migration Department how it treats renewals before you accept a job.
A cap like this stings if you planned to pay rent from a part-time job. Build your budget around 20 hours from day one.
Do Indian students still need a student visa? How to apply in 2026
Indian students apply for a temporary residence permit (TRP). The national D visa no longer covers full-time degree students.
Follow these steps:
- 1
Get your admission offer and the mediation letter from your university.
- 2
Create your application in MIGRIS, Lithuania's online migration system.
- 3
Book your biometrics appointment inside MIGRIS. You need your MIGRIS application number to attend.
- 4
Visit VFS Global in person. The official list names centers in Delhi and Mumbai. Bring the original passport you used in MIGRIS, because staff check it against your upload. Pay the service fee, roughly €110.
- 5
Wait about 2 months. Urgent cases take about 1 month.
- 7
Collect your card at VFS Global or at a Migration Department office in Lithuania.
A study permit lasts as long as your studies, up to 2 years, and you can renew it. Start 4 to 6 months before the September intake. Slots and paperwork take time.
Does the 1 November 2026 rule affect Indian applicants?
Only if you try to file inside Lithuania after entering on a Schengen visa or another country's national visa. Applying from India works as before.
| Applicant | Affected? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Applying from India for bachelor's or master's | No | File through MIGRIS and VFS India |
| Entered on a Schengen visa, wants a bachelor's permit in Lithuania | Yes | Apply through VFS Global abroad |
| Entered on a Schengen visa, wants a master's permit | Not restricted by this rule | Confirm with the university |
| Holds a valid Lithuanian permit or Lithuanian national visa | No | Can still apply in-country |
| Renewing an existing permit | No | Procedure unchanged |
The rule closes an old shortcut. Students used to fly in on a short-stay visa, then switch to a bachelor's permit. Now the Migration Department sends those applicants to VFS Global abroad. People with a Lithuanian national visa, a valid Lithuanian permit, or an EU or Schengen residence permit can still file inside Lithuania. Renewals follow the same procedure as before.
Master's applicants face no restriction under this rule. Ask your university to confirm your filing route before you travel.
Other 2026 changes that affect your plans
8-year cap
The total time you can hold study permits cannot pass 8 years. A 4-year bachelor's and a 2-year master's use 6 of them. A PhD may not fit after that, so ask the Migration Department how it counts your years.
Family reunification
Master's and doctoral students can bring a spouse and children right away.
Employment quota
Graduates of Lithuanian schools fall outside the yearly employment quota for up to 5 years after they finish. Employers do not count you against it.
Can Indian graduates stay in Lithuania after studying?
Yes. After graduation you can apply for a 12-month permit to look for a job or start self-employment.
Your path looks like this:
Study permit while you study.
12-month graduate permit for the job search.
Work-based permit once an employer hires you.
You can work as soon as you find a job. Apply for the graduate permit before your study permit expires. For universities, costs and scholarships, read our guide to Study in Lithuania for Indian Students.
What to do now
| You are | Do this |
|---|---|
| Prospective bachelor's student | Apply from India via MIGRIS and VFS; do not rely on switching in Lithuania |
| Prospective master's student | Plan for a 40-hour week and the family option; confirm your filing route with the university |
| Current student, permit from before 22 May | Keep your permit documents; confirm renewal treatment in writing |
| Current student, new permit | Track weekly hours across all jobs; get holiday dates in writing |
| Final-year student | Apply for the 12-month permit before your study permit expires |
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