Lithuania is a Schengen country, so the visa question is not about where you live. It is about which passport you hold. A British citizen usually walks in visa-free. A Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian, or Bangladeshi national living in the UK on work, study or family permission usually does not.
This guide explains who needs a Lithuania Schengen visa from the UK, what it costs, how the MIGRIS form and VFS appointment fit together, and what has changed at the border in 2026. If you are still choosing between destinations, our Schengen visa consultancy team can help you plan before you book.
Quick Answer: Do You Need a Lithuania Visa from the UK?
- British citizens (ordinary passport): no visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Non-British nationals living in the UK: most need a short-stay Schengen (Type C) visa, even with settled status.
- Staying over 90 days: you need a National (D) visa, which is a different process.
- Where to apply: Lithuania’s visa centers in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cardiff, run by VFS Global for the Embassy of Lithuania.
- Fee: €90 for adults, plus a VFS service charge.
- Standard decision time: about 15 calendar days after submission.
Who Does Not Need a Visa for Lithuania?
According to the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in London, you can travel without applying if you:
- hold a passport from a country on Lithuania’s visa-exempt list (British citizens are on it);
- already hold a valid Schengen visa;
- are a recognized refugee or stateless person living in a Schengen member state (or the UK) with a travel document issued by that state.
Two details trip people up:
- A British Certificate of Travel or Certificate of Identity does not count for visa-free entry.
- Holders of other UK-issued residence permits or cards must still apply for a Schengen visa.
Even visa-free travelers need a passport valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen Area.
Which Schengen Country Should You Apply To?
If Lithuania is your only stop, apply to Lithuania. If your trip covers several Schengen countries, the general rule is to apply to the country where you will spend the most days. If the time is split evenly, apply to the country you enter first.
This matters because applying to the wrong country is a common reason for a rejected or returned application. If Vilnius is a short stop on a longer Baltic or European route, count your days first. If another country is your main destination, our Italy Schengen visa guide shows how the process differs.
Type C or Type D: Which Lithuania Visa Do You Need?
| Short-stay visa (Type C) | National visa (Type D) | |
| Purpose | Tourism, visiting family or friends, short business trips | Long stay in Lithuania |
| Maximum stay | 90 days in any 180 days | Up to 12 months |
| Valid in other Schengen countries | Yes, for short stays | Rules differ, check before travelling |
| Where to apply | Lithuania’s VFS centres in the UK | Through the external provider chosen by Lithuania’s Migration Department |
The embassy notes that Lithuanian consulates abroad no longer process national visa applications. If you plan to study, work or relocate, check the Lithuanian Migration Department before booking anything.
How to Apply for a Lithuania Schengen Visa from the UK
Lithuania uses an online system called MIGRIS, and it is not optional.
- Create a MIGRIS account on the Migration Department website and complete the Schengen visa application form. Use Latin characters only.
- Print and sign the form. An unsigned form can stop your application at the counter.
- Book your appointment on the VFS Global Lithuania UK page and choose London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Cardiff.
- Attend in person. Bring your printed form, passport, photos, and supporting documents. You will give fingerprints and a photo unless your biometrics are already on record and still valid. The center will tell you.
- Pay the visa fee and VFS service charge at the center. Both are non-refundable.
- Wait for the decision. The Embassy of Lithuania decides your case. VFS only handles submission and passport return.
- Collect your passport, either at the centre or by courier if you chose that option.
Documents Required for a Lithuania Visa from the UK
Your exact list depends on your travel purpose and status, so always check the current checklist on the VFS Lithuania UK page. Most applicants need:
Identity and status
- Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen Area, with blank pages
- Copies of the photo and signature pages of your passport
- Proof of your UK status. Today that is usually your eVisa share code. If you still hold a BRP, bring it. Your UK permission should run well beyond the end of your trip, and Schengen guidance generally expects at least three months.
- Copies of previous Schengen visas, if any
Application
- Printed, signed MIGRIS application form
- Two recent photos, 35 × 45 mm, plain light background, face centred and taking up most of the frame
Trip
- Return flight reservation or itinerary
- Accommodation for the whole stay (hotel booking, rental or host details)
- Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen Area with at least €30,000 cover
- A cover letter explaining your purpose, dates and plans
Money and ties
- Recent bank statements, typically three months
- Employer letter and recent payslips, or business documents if self-employed, or a student letter
- Approved leave, where relevant
Visiting family or on business
- An invitation or mediation letter from the host or company in Lithuania. Embassy guidance says these may need to be lodged through the Migration Department’s system, so confirm this before your appointment.
Your documents should tell one consistent story. Dates on the form, insurance, flights, and hotel should all match. If you want a second pair of eyes on your file, our visa consultancy service includes document verification before you submit.
Lithuania Schengen Visa Fee (2026)
| Item | Cost |
| Adult visa fee | €90 |
| Child aged 6 to under 12 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| VFS service charge (with biometrics) | €17.90 including VAT |
Some applicant categories are exempt from the visa fee. Fees are charged in euros or the local equivalent and are not refunded if the visa is refused. Optional extras such as courier or SMS updates cost more. You can check the official breakdown on the Lithuanian visa fee page and confirm the current VFS charge on the VFS page before paying.
Be careful with third-party “service fees.” They are separate from government and VFS charges, and a legitimate adviser will itemize them.
Processing Time and When to Apply
The standard decision time is 15 calendar days from submission. That is calendar days, not working days. Cases that need extra documents or checks can run longer, and an extended examination can reach 45 days.
The Schengen rules allow you to apply up to six months before travel and no later than 15 days before. In practice, aim for four to six weeks before departure, and longer in summer and around holidays. There is no official fast-track that shortens the legal decision period. Keep flights and hotels refundable until the visa is in your passport.
VFS Visa Centers for Lithuania in the UK
Applications for short stays can be lodged in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
Family members of EU/EEA citizens travelling with, or joining, an EU/EEA family member can apply as walk-ins at VFS in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 10:00am (excluding public holidays). Some family members covered by Directive 2004/38/EC can apply at the Embassy in London by arranging a visit in advance. Bring proof of the family relationship.
Common Reasons Lithuania Visa Applications Run into Trouble
Consulates don’t publish a simple pass mark, but these problems regularly cause delays or refusals:
- Unsigned or inconsistent forms, such as mismatched dates across the form, insurance and bookings
- Unclear purpose of travel, or a cover letter that contradicts your documents
- Weak proof of funds, with sudden large deposits and no explanation
- Weak ties to the UK, meaning unclear evidence you will return
- Unverifiable bookings or documents. Never submit fake reservations or altered paperwork. It can lead to refusal and a long-term record.
- Insurance that doesn’t meet the minimum
If a visa is refused, the decision comes with reasons and information on how to challenge it. Read the notice carefully before reapplying.
EES and ETIAS: What Changed for Lithuania Trips in 2026
Most guides skip this, but it affects every traveller.
- EES (Entry/Exit System): this digital border system replaced passport stamping for non-EU travellers. It began on 12 October 2025 and became fully operational on 10 April 2026. On arrival you can expect biometric registration (facial image and fingerprints) and some questions about your stay. Allow extra time at passport control. See the UK government’s EES guidance for details.
- ETIAS: this is a separate pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt travellers such as British citizens. As of now it cannot be applied for, and no confirmed start date has been announced. If it opens, apply only through the official EU ETIAS website.
- If you hold a Schengen visa: ETIAS is not for you. ETIAS is for visa-exempt travellers.
After You Get the Visa: Stay Rules and Travel in the Schengen Area
A short-stay visa allows up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, which now has 29 member countries. Time spent in other Schengen states counts toward the same 90 days. Check the validity dates and number of entries printed on your visa sticker before you book onward travel.
How Skyvera Travels Can Help
Skyvera Travels is an independent UK-registered travel consultancy. We help UK residents, including those holding an eVisa with a share code, prepare their Schengen applications: document checks, cover letter review, appointment support, and trip planning. We are not an embassy, government body, or visa center, and we cannot guarantee approval, because only the Lithuanian authorities decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Lithuania from the UK?
British citizens with an ordinary passport don’t need one for stays up to 90 days in 180. Most other nationalities living in the UK do, regardless of how long they have lived here.
Where do I apply for a Lithuania visa in the UK?
At Lithuania’s visa application centers in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Cardiff, operated by VFS Global.
How much is the Lithuania Schengen visa fee?
€90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to under 12, plus a VFS service charge of €17.90 including VAT. Both are non-refundable.
How long does it take to get a Lithuania visa?
Standard processing is about 15 calendar days. It can take longer if the embassy asks for more documents.
Is the MIGRIS form compulsory?
Yes. Complete it online, then print, sign, and bring it to your appointment.
Can I travel to other countries with a Lithuania visa?
Yes, within the Schengen Area, for short stays and within your visa’s validity. Lithuania should be your main destination, or your first entry point if days are split evenly.
Do I need ETIAS for Lithuania?
Not yet. ETIAS is not operational and applies to visa-exempt travellers, not Schengen visa holders.
Do family members of EU citizens need a visa?
Many do, but they can use a simplified route, including walk-in submission at VFS London, Manchester, and Edinburgh at set hour
