Best Business Visa Lawyers in Marijampolė

About Business Visa Law in Marijampolė, Republic of Lithuania

Business immigration to Lithuania operates within the Schengen framework and the national legal system. If you are visiting Marijampolė for short business activities such as meetings, negotiations, conferences, exhibitions, training, or exploring partnerships, you will generally apply for a Schengen short-stay business visa, commonly called a type C business visa. This visa normally allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, including Lithuania.

If you intend to stay longer in Lithuania for business-related purposes, manage or establish a Lithuanian company, or perform activities that go beyond short, non-productive business visits, you may need a national long-stay visa, commonly called a type D visa, or a temporary residence permit based on business or employment grounds. These longer-stay options are governed by Lithuanian national law and have stricter eligibility, documentation, and compliance requirements.

Applications for visas are typically submitted at Lithuanian embassies, consulates, or authorized visa centers in your country of residence. In Lithuania, the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior processes immigration matters, and its territorial units, including the office serving Marijampolė, handle certain in-country procedures such as biometrics collection and residence permit services.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Choosing the right pathway is not always straightforward. A lawyer can help you determine whether a Schengen business visa, a national visa, or a residence permit better matches your planned activities and timeline.

Common situations where legal help is valuable include preparing a compliant invitation from a Lithuanian business partner, assessing whether your activities count as business visits or employment, structuring or registering a Lithuanian company, meeting investment and employment thresholds for business-based residence, appealing a visa refusal, handling document legalization or apostille and sworn translations, planning family member options, and ensuring tax and social insurance compliance if your stay or activities trigger local obligations.

Legal counsel is particularly useful if you have a complex travel history, previous immigration issues, tight deadlines, planned multiple entries across Schengen, or if you intend to transition from a short-stay visit to a longer presence in Lithuania.

Local Laws Overview

Several legal instruments govern business visas and stays in Lithuania. At the EU level, the Schengen Visa Code sets the rules for short-stay visas, including the 90-day in 180-day rule, documents required, insurance, and processing standards. At the national level, the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and related regulations define who may receive national visas and residence permits, grounds for refusal, appeal procedures, and compliance duties during your stay.

Short-stay business visa basics include purpose of travel limited to non-employment activities, an invitation or proof of business ties with a Lithuanian entity, evidence of accommodation and return travel, proof of sufficient financial means, and valid travel medical insurance with a minimum of 30,000 euros coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation, valid throughout Schengen and for the entire period of stay.

National visa and residence permit considerations include eligibility criteria tied to your purpose of stay, for example managing or investing in a Lithuanian company, intra-group transfers, or other long-term business activities. These routes often involve company registration, evidence of lawful business activity, proof of investment and job creation thresholds as set by Lithuanian law, clean criminal record certificates from relevant jurisdictions, address declaration in Lithuania, and health insurance. The exact thresholds and documentary requirements can change, and careful verification is essential before filing.

Work restrictions are important. A business visa allows meetings and negotiations, but it does not allow you to take up employment for a Lithuanian employer or provide productive services in Lithuania for remuneration unless you hold the correct work authorization. If you will perform paid work or provide services locally, consult on the appropriate work permit, national visa, or residence permit category.

Overstaying or breaching visa conditions can lead to fines, removal, and entry bans across the Schengen area. Extensions of a Schengen business visa are exceptional and generally limited to force majeure or serious humanitarian reasons. Multiple-entry visas are possible if you have a demonstrated need and track record of compliant travel.

Local procedure in Marijampolė includes the ability to attend the territorial migration office for certain services after booking an appointment through the national online system. Decisions on visas are centralized, while in-country services for national visas and residence permits, including biometrics, card collection, and address declarations, are handled by the Migration Department and its territorial units.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Schengen business visa and a national long-stay visa or residence permit

A Schengen type C business visa is for short visits up to 90 days in any 180-day period for activities like meetings and conferences. A national type D visa allows longer stays tied to a specific purpose, for example long business travel, study, or certain work categories. A temporary residence permit is for long-term presence and can allow you to manage or develop a business in Lithuania if you meet legal criteria. The correct option depends on your activities and how long you plan to stay.

Can I work in Lithuania on a business visa

No. A business visa permits non-employment activities such as meetings and negotiations. If you will perform paid work in Lithuania or provide services to a Lithuanian client as productive labor, you will likely need a work-based national visa or residence permit with appropriate authorization.

How long can I stay in Marijampolė on a business visa and can I travel in Schengen

You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the entire Schengen area. Lithuania counts your time spent in other Schengen countries toward the same limit. You may travel to other Schengen states during your visa validity if you meet entry conditions.

What documents are typically required for a business visa

Common items include a completed application form, a valid passport, biometric photo, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel medical insurance with at least 30,000 euros coverage, proof of financial means, and documents proving the purpose of travel such as an invitation from a Lithuanian company, evidence of prior business relations, or event registration. Additional documents may be requested depending on your circumstances.

How do invitations from Lithuanian companies work

Your Lithuanian host can issue an invitation letter and, in many cases, register or validate it through the national migration system so the authorities can verify the business relationship and undertake security checks. The invitation should clearly describe the purpose, duration, who covers expenses, and contact details.

How long does processing take and are there urgent options

Schengen business visa decisions commonly take about 15 calendar days from the date the application is lodged, but times can extend to around 45 days during peak seasons or when extra checks are needed. National visas and residence permits generally take longer. Some categories allow faster processing for an additional fee, but availability and timelines vary.

Can I bring my spouse or children

Family members can apply for their own visas if they are accompanying you and have a legitimate reason to travel, for example participation in the same business events or tourism. For long-term stays based on business, separate rules apply for family reunification under residence permits, and eligibility depends on your status and supporting evidence.

Can I switch from a Schengen business visa to a residence permit while in Lithuania

In general, first applications for residence permits are filed while you are outside Lithuania, unless a specific legal ground allows in-country submission. There are limited exceptions, but you should not assume you can switch status inside Lithuania. Plan your pathway and timing before traveling if you intend to stay long term.

What are common reasons for refusal

Frequent reasons include unclear or unsupported purpose of travel, insufficient financial means, inadequate or invalid insurance, doubts about intention to return, inconsistent travel history, incomplete applications, or security concerns. Strong documentation and a clear, credible itinerary reduce risk.

Is it possible to extend a business visa or get multiple entries

Multiple-entry business visas are possible if you demonstrate a regular need to travel and prior compliance. Extensions of a Schengen visa are rare and usually limited to unforeseen events, for example force majeure. If you expect repeated or longer visits, discuss multiple-entry options or an appropriate long-stay route with a qualified adviser.

Additional Resources

Migration Department of the Republic of Lithuania, including the territorial unit that serves Marijampolė for in-country procedures and residence services.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department and Lithuanian embassies or consulates, responsible for accepting and deciding Schengen visa applications abroad.

Authorized visa application centers that collect applications and biometrics on behalf of Lithuania in many countries.

Innovation Agency Lithuania and Startup Lithuania for non-EU founders exploring startup pathways and business development support.

State Enterprise Centre of Registers for company registration and address declarations related to residence permits.

State Tax Inspectorate and the State Social Insurance Fund Board, known as Sodra, for tax and social insurance registration when establishing local economic activity.

Local business support entities in Marijampolė, including the municipality administration and regional chambers of commerce, industry, and crafts, for networking and market guidance.

Next Steps

Clarify your purpose, activities, and timeline. If your trip is limited to short meetings or conferences, a Schengen business visa may be sufficient. If you plan to manage or establish a Lithuanian company or remain long term, explore national visa or residence permit routes.

Gather core documents early. This includes a valid passport, invitation from a Lithuanian partner, evidence of prior business relations, travel medical insurance, accommodation proof, and financial means. Prepare legalized or apostilled and translated documents if required, for example criminal record certificates for long-stay routes.

Coordinate with your Lithuanian host. Ensure your invitation is complete and, where applicable, registered in the migration system. Align on who covers expenses and your itinerary in Marijampolė and elsewhere in Lithuania.

Book the correct filing channel. For Schengen business visas, apply through the Lithuanian embassy, consulate, or authorized visa center that serves your place of residence. For national visas and residence permits, follow the instructions of the Migration Department and its online system for appointments and biometrics.

Plan compliance from day one. Track the 90-day in 180-day rule, keep copies of all submissions, and maintain travel and accommodation records. Do not work on a business visa. If you receive a national visa or residence permit, complete address declaration and any tax registrations as required.

Consult a qualified Lithuanian immigration lawyer or business immigration specialist. Professional guidance can help you select the right route, avoid refusals, structure your business presence in compliance with Lithuanian law, and protect your ability to travel in the Schengen area.