Refugee Status and Temporary Protection

What it is

Lithuania offers two main forms of protection for people who cannot safely return to their home country:

• Asylum (refugee status or subsidiary protection) — for people who fear persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Applications are assessed individually.
• Temporary protection — a faster, group-based status activated during a mass-influx situation. Since March 2022, this has applied to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

These are different legal categories and lead to different documents and rights, but both allow you to stay legally in Lithuania.

Who it is for

• Asylum is for any person who arrives in Lithuania and fears returning home due to genuine danger of persecution or serious harm.
• Temporary protection is currently available to Ukrainian citizens and certain stateless persons and third-country nationals who were residing in Ukraine before the war began. Eligibility rules may change; check the Migration Department website for the latest information.

How to register

Asylum seekers must declare their intention to seek asylum at the border or to a migration officer inside Lithuania. You do not need a visa or other documents to apply for asylum. You will be interviewed and your case will be assessed by the Migration Department.

Temporary protection (Ukrainians and others) — you can register at a Migration Department office. You typically need:

• A valid passport or other identity document
• A completed application form
• Proof of your presence in or departure from Ukraine (where available)

After registration you receive a document confirming your temporary protection status, which also acts as your permission to stay.

Rights granted

Both statuses give you the right to:

• Stay legally in Lithuania during the validity of your status
• Access basic healthcare
• Enroll children in school
• Work (specific rules may apply; check with the Migration Department)
• Apply for social support through local municipalities and the Social Insurance Fund (SODRA)

Renewal and extension

Temporary protection is granted for a defined period and can be extended collectively by EU decision. The Migration Department will publish announcements when extensions are approved. You do not normally need to re-apply individually for a collective extension, but you should check your personal status on MIGRIS or at a Migration Department office before your document expires.

What to do next

• Go to the Migration Department website for current registration procedures and eligibility.
• If you just arrived and need immediate help, contact the State Border Guard Service or go to the nearest migration office.
• Children must be registered separately.

Where to get help

UNHCR Lithuania, Caritas Lithuania, the Lithuanian Red Cross, and other NGOs offer free advice and practical support to asylum seekers and people under temporary protection. Your local municipality can also direct you to social services.