From 1 September, employment conditions for Ukrainians in Lithuania will change. Persons without temporary protection status must obtain a residence permit. Find out about changes in working conditions for Ukrainian refugees

Legal advice on education and employment abroad for Ukrainians

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Ukrainian refugees in different countries can obtain temporary protection status, but not all migrants apply for it. The Department of Migration has announced that starting from 1 September, employment conditions for Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania will change - now migrants without temporary protection will be able to get a job only if they have a residence permit. Read more about these changes in the article.

Employment conditions for Ukrainians in Lithuania until 1 September

Until 1 September, the following principle of employment of Ukrainians will continue to apply in Lithuania: if a person cannot return to the country and is not entitled to temporary protection, he or she may be employed under certain conditions (exceptions).

These exceptions include:

- foreigners who enjoy a visa-free regime;

- foreigners holding a valid Schengen visa;

- foreigners holding national visas issued under unforeseen circumstances;

- foreigners applying for a residence permit due to work requiring high qualification;

- foreigners applying for a residence permit for humanitarian reasons.

More useful information for Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania can be found here.

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What changes are expected for Ukrainians in Lithuania from 1 September?

From 1 September, all categories of exemptions will be cancelled - the said permit will remain only for employment of highly qualified workers.

For labour migrants and migrants for humanitarian reasons who have applied for a temporary residence permit, such a permit will be valid from the date of its issuance, not from the date of application.

Please note: The amendments do not apply to Ukrainian refugees who have the status of temporary protection of the European Union in Lithuania - they are issued digital residence permits.

More information on obtaining temporary protection status in European countries in 2024 can be found here.

What remains stable in employment for Ukrainians in Lithuania?

1. Ukrainian migrants will be able to get a job as soon as they apply to the Department of Migration for a temporary residence permit.

2. For employment, when a Ukrainian has temporary protection and has applied for a residence permit, there is no need to take a separate certificate from the Employment Service on the compatibility of the request with the needs of the Lithuanian labour market.

3. Also, a certificate from the Employment Service is not required if this is the first employment after obtaining temporary protection or if the residence permit has been changed and the employer has not changed.

As a reminder, in February this year, the Lithuanian government extended the validity of temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens until March 2025. Details are in the material.

Instructions on how to apply for temporary protection status in Lithuania can be found here.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

Employment abroad can be complicated and controversial, especially if it is the first time a migrant does so. You can get qualified assistance on employment and education not only in Lithuania but also in other countries of the world from Visit Ukraine specialists.

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