Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Marijampolė

About Golden Visa Law in Marijampolė, Republic of Lithuania

In Lithuania, what many people call a Golden Visa is legally a temporary residence permit for investors under the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens. It allows non EU and non EEA nationals to reside in Lithuania based on qualifying investment and business activity. The program is national in scope, so the same legal rules apply in Marijampolė as elsewhere in the country, but you will interact with local authorities and service providers in or near Marijampolė for practical steps such as submitting biometrics, declaring your local address, and running a business. Lithuania does not offer a simple real estate only Golden Visa. The typical investor route involves investing in or establishing a Lithuanian company that meets statutory thresholds and operates genuinely in Lithuania. Successful applicants receive a residence card, can live in Lithuania, and may travel within the Schengen Area subject to Schengen rules.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Investor residence permits in Lithuania involve multiple legal areas at once immigration, corporate, tax, labor, banking compliance, and document legalization. A lawyer can assess eligibility and select the correct legal basis for residence, such as investment in a company, management of a Lithuanian company, or other permissible grounds, and explain how each basis affects your rights and obligations. If you intend to set up or acquire a company in Marijampolė, legal counsel can draft the incorporation documents, shareholder agreements, and employment contracts, ensure proper share capital contributions, and register ultimate beneficial ownership details. Banking and payments onboarding in Lithuania requires proof of funds and source of wealth that meet anti money laundering standards. A lawyer can prepare you for questions, translate and notarize documents, and arrange apostilles where necessary.

During the application, lawyers can prepare your MIGRIS filings, schedule your biometrics visit at the territorial unit serving Marijampolė, and ensure your health insurance, accommodation proof, and fees meet formal requirements. After approval, counsel can help with residence address declaration, social security registration where needed, and compliance with ongoing obligations such as maintaining investment levels, employing staff where required by law, and filing annual reports. If your circumstances change, such as a business pivot, share transfer, or family reunification, a lawyer can advise how to amend your status without jeopardizing your permit. In case of refusals or revocations, legal representation is critical for timely appeals and negotiations with the Migration Department.

Local Laws Overview

Investor residence in Lithuania is governed primarily by national law, including the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and implementing regulations of the Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior. Applications are filed electronically through the Lithuanian Migration Information System known as MIGRIS, followed by an in person biometrics and document check at a territorial unit of the Migration Department. Marijampolė residents are served by the territorial unit responsible for that region, and appointment availability can affect timelines.

Qualifying investment is typically tied to participation in a Lithuanian company. While exact thresholds and criteria change periodically, the rules focus on genuine business activity investment in share capital, lawful origin of funds, business plans and financials, and at times minimum employment or turnover levels. Real estate ownership alone is not a standard legal basis for an investor permit. You must maintain valid health insurance accepted in Lithuania, a lawful income sufficient for you and any dependants, and a declared place of residence in Lithuania. Background checks and proof of lawful origin of funds are mandatory.

Corporate matters in Marijampolė follow national company law and registration is handled through the Register of Legal Entities maintained by the State Enterprise Centre of Registers. Depending on your business activity, you may also need local municipal permits or to notify local authorities. Tax residency is determined by Lithuanian tax rules, commonly based on days of presence or the center of vital interests. Corporate tax, payroll tax, VAT, and social contributions may apply to your company and employees. For long term residence or citizenship, Lithuania requires continuous legal residence, integration conditions, and usually a Lithuanian language exam at a defined level for permanent residence or citizenship. Investors should plan for these requirements early to avoid surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lithuanian Golden Visa and does it exist in Marijampolė

There is no separate Marijampolė program. In Lithuania, the Golden Visa concept refers to a national temporary residence permit for investors. If you live or do business in Marijampolė, you apply under the same national rules but complete practical steps locally or at the nearest Migration Department office.

Can I qualify by buying real estate only

No. Lithuania does not offer a pure real estate based residence route. Investment is generally tied to establishing or investing in a Lithuanian company that conducts genuine economic activity and meets statutory criteria.

How long is the investor residence permit valid

Validity varies by legal basis and policy at the time of decision, commonly in the range of 1 to 3 years, with the possibility to renew if eligibility and compliance are maintained. Always check current validity periods before applying.

Can my family join me in Lithuania

Yes. Eligible family members such as a spouse and minor children can usually apply for residence based on family reunification. You must meet income, accommodation, and insurance requirements for the whole family, and submit supporting civil status documents with proper legalization and translation.

Do I need to hire employees in my Lithuanian company

Some investor routes have employment or business activity requirements. These conditions can include maintaining a certain level of equity, turnover, or employees. The exact thresholds change from time to time, so obtain up to date legal advice before structuring your plans.

Can I work in Lithuania with an investor residence permit

Yes. Holders of an investor permit can generally manage and work for their own company without a separate work permit. If you plan to take employment outside your company, additional rules may apply depending on your basis of stay.

How long does the process take

Processing times depend on appointment availability, completeness of your file, security checks, and whether you select standard or expedited processing where available. Expect several weeks to a few months from submission to decision in typical cases.

What documents are required

Common documents include a valid passport, proof of investment and company documents, lawful source of funds evidence, health insurance, proof of sufficient means of subsistence, a Lithuanian address, criminal record certificates, and civil status documents for family. Non Lithuanian documents usually require apostille or legalization and sworn translation into Lithuanian.

Will I be able to travel in Schengen with this permit

Holders of a valid Lithuanian residence permit may travel within the Schengen Area for short stays consistent with the 90 days in any 180 days rule, carrying their passport and residence card. The permit does not replace visas for travel outside Schengen.

Can investor residence lead to permanent residence or citizenship

Yes, subject to meeting long term residence requirements such as continuous lawful residence, stable income, health insurance, integration conditions, and passing a Lithuanian language exam for permanent residence or citizenship where required. Time spent must be continuous and compliant, and absences are limited by law.

Additional Resources

Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior provides official procedures, forms, and decisions for residence permits. The Lithuanian Migration Information System known as MIGRIS is the national portal for applications and appointments. The State Enterprise Centre of Registers maintains the Register of Legal Entities for company incorporation and the Population Register for address declarations. The State Tax Inspectorate advises on personal and corporate tax obligations. Employment Service and Social Insurance institutions can assist with employment and contributions if you hire staff. Startup Lithuania provides guidance for startup related residence routes. The Municipality of Marijampolė can inform you about local permits, address declarations, and municipal services that may affect your business or housing. Lithuanian embassies and consulates handle visa matters and legalization of documents for applicants applying from abroad.

Next Steps

Define your residence strategy by choosing the correct legal basis, such as investing in or establishing a Lithuanian company. Request an eligibility review from a qualified immigration and corporate lawyer familiar with investor permits and Marijampolė procedures. Map your timeline, including document legalization and translations, which can add several weeks.

Prepare your documents. Gather passports, criminal record certificates from countries of residence, marriage and birth certificates for family, proof of health insurance that is valid in Lithuania, proof of accommodation in Marijampolė or elsewhere in Lithuania, and detailed evidence of the lawful origin of your investment funds. Arrange sworn translations into Lithuanian and obtain apostilles or consular legalization as required.

Incorporate or acquire your Lithuanian company. Register the company with the Register of Legal Entities, deposit share capital, open a payment account, register beneficial owners, and obtain any sector specific licenses. Prepare a realistic business plan, contracts, and initial financials to demonstrate genuine activity.

Submit your application via MIGRIS and book your biometrics appointment at the territorial unit serving Marijampolė or the nearest available office. Pay state fees and attend your appointment with originals of all documents. Monitor for any requests for additional information and respond within stated deadlines.

After approval, collect your residence card, declare your place of residence, register for taxes and social insurance as applicable, and maintain continuous compliance. Track renewal dates and any conditions tied to your permit, such as investment and employment requirements. If your family will join you, coordinate their applications to align with your status.

If you need legal assistance now, schedule a consultation with an immigration and corporate lawyer in Lithuania, bring a list of your goals and constraints, and request a written action plan with a document checklist, expected costs, and a compliance calendar. Laws and thresholds change periodically, so always verify current requirements before committing funds.