Getting Your Foreign Diploma Recognised

Why recognition matters

If you studied abroad, your qualifications may not be automatically understood or accepted in Lithuania. Getting your diploma or certificate formally recognised can open doors — it helps employers verify your level of education, allows you to continue studies at a Lithuanian institution, and is required for many regulated professions.

The process depends on the type of qualification you hold and what you want to use it for.

Academic recognition (for study and general purposes)

If you want your foreign qualification recognised for general purposes — for example, to show an employer your education level, or to apply to a Lithuanian university — the body responsible is the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC).

SKVC assesses both school-leaving certificates (such as secondary school diplomas) and higher education qualifications (bachelor's, master's, doctorate degrees). You can apply to SKVC directly through their website.

In general, the process involves:

1. Submitting your documents — usually your original diploma or certificate, academic transcripts, and possibly a certified translation into Lithuanian.
2. SKVC reviews the qualification against the Lithuanian and international qualifications framework.
3. Receiving a recognition statement — a document confirming what level your qualification corresponds to in Lithuania.

Timeframes and fees vary; check the SKVC website for current information.

Recognition for regulated professions

Some professions in Lithuania — such as medicine, law, engineering, teaching, and others — are regulated, meaning that professional recognition is required separately from academic recognition. This is handled not by SKVC but by the relevant professional regulatory body for each sector.

For example:

• Healthcare professions are regulated through the Ministry of Health and relevant professional councils.
• Teaching qualifications are assessed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.

If you are planning to work in a regulated profession, contact the relevant ministry or professional body to find out what recognition procedure applies to you.

Practical tips

• Even if you cannot gather all documents immediately, start by contacting SKVC — they can advise what is needed in your specific case.
• Certified translations of your documents are usually required; ask a certified translator or check whether SKVC accepts other formats.
• If your original documents were lost or destroyed, ask SKVC about alternative evidence they can accept.
• The Employment Service (Užimtumo tarnyba) can also provide guidance if you are job-seeking and need help understanding how your qualifications compare to Lithuanian standards.
• Organisations such as IOM Lithuania can help you navigate the process and understand the steps.

Where to start

Go to the SKVC website (skvc.lt) to read about the recognition procedure, check whether your qualification type is covered, and submit an application. For regulated professions, contact the relevant ministry directly.