Many want to be legalized in Lithuania. They are striving to move to permanent residence in this country not because they can live without problems in the state, but because for many Lithuania is the so-called window to Europe and gives a chance to leave for permanent residence in the countries of the European Union with a more developed economy. Citizenship is issued on the basis of the citizenship law.
Lithuanian Citizenship Law
The legislation defines the principles for acquiring Lithuanian citizenship and establishes the rules, conditions and procedure for obtaining and depriving a citizen of the state, and regulates other relations of citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania. Citizenship issues govern citizenship articles. According to the fifth article, the following are considered legal subjects of the republic:
- people who at the time of the introduction of the law already belonged to subjects of the state;
- persons who have restored the citizenship of the country in accordance with the existing law;
- subjects who are legalized legally.
How to get Lithuanian citizenship? Based on current legislation, according to Section Thirteenth of the Citizenship Law, legalization can take place:
- by birth;
- in a simplified manner;
- through naturalization;
- as an exception;
- by obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania again;
- on other grounds specified in international treaties of the Republic of Lithuania.
Residence permit in Lithuania
A foreigner who wishes to obtain a permanent identity card of a country (permanent residence in Lithuania) must submit a written application. The application is sent to the competent authorities only after the provision of documents on permanent residence in the territory of the country for ten years. In addition, employees may ask for paper:
- proof of financial solvency, namely a statement of income, state of deposit, certificate of employment;
- paper confirming the renunciation of primary citizenship;
- a document confirming the knowledge of the Lithuanian language at a high level.
Also, the applicant will have to pass a test of knowledge of the Constitution of the state. This test applies to everyone, but there are exceptions. Exempted from the exam:
- Citizens over 65
- persons with mental illness and abnormalities;
- disabled people.
Passing the exam will not work if there is a certificate of marriage with a legal resident of Lithuania. A legal union will only help to reduce waiting times.
Obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania by Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians
The question of how to obtain citizenship of Lithuania to citizens of Russia, Ukraine or Belarus has been of interest recently, and there are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, the country welcomes guests quite well and respects foreigners. The second incentive is the fact that not so long ago Lithuania joined the European Union, and now its economic situation is stabilizing. The country's economy is developing rapidly, and population incomes are growing. Most foreigners are attracted by stability and decent salaries compared to the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
To obtain Lithuanian citizenship for a Russian or a Ukrainian is possible only through naturalization or on the basis of consanguinity.
Naturalization process
First you need to obtain a residence permit, thereby ensuring a legal stay in Lithuania, which is an important stage in obtaining citizenship.The best option is to create your own business and an invitation to workplaces of at least three Lithuanian citizens. To register a private enterprise, a tourist visa will come off, after which a business category is issued.
Other legalization options
Another option for obtaining a residence permit is buying a house, entering a higher educational institution, conducting research of a scientific nature or working at the invitation of an international company. But getting a valid visa will be very difficult: due to the growing number of unemployed, the country is trying to give a job primarily to Lithuanian residents and only then immigrants from other countries. In five years, a citizen from Russia or other countries of the world can count on acquiring a permanent residence, and after ten years of continuous residence in the Republic of Lithuania, it will be possible to submit papers for acquiring Lithuanian citizenship, but do not forget that legalization in this state requires refusal citizenship of their country.
Blood relationship with a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania
Children of legal residents of the Republic of Lithuania by nationality can become holders of a Lithuanian passport on the basis of consanguinity only if both mother and father were legal representatives of the country. If the parents of a person who wanted to obtain Lithuanian citizenship were not Lithuanians by blood, but were on the territory of the state earlier, this can also be a good reason for applying for citizenship. Special privileges are enjoyed by those who are grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Lithuanian citizens who lived on the territory before the Soviet occupation, namely until 1940.
The list of documents for obtaining citizenship based on kinship
There is no strict list of required documents that can confirm kinship. It will be enough to show:
- identification;
- birth or study certificate;
- document confirming the passage of military service;
- any certificate confirming the nationality and fact of belonging to Lithuanian citizens, that is, the presence of relatives.
Double citizenship
Not so long ago a law appeared and entered into force, which to this day is ambiguously perceived by the public. Based on the decree, some groups of people gained the opportunity to be subjects of two powers at the same time. This primarily concerns Lithuanians who live on a permanent basis in the states of the European Union. This right has those who were in exile, political prisoners, ethnic Lithuanians or their descendants who had to leave the country during the years of Soviet occupation. The category of people to whom this law can be applied is residents of countries that have signed a dual citizenship agreement with Lithuania. But by 2017, no such agreement has yet been signed. Again, this applies to a greater extent to the Lithuanians who permanently live in countries belonging to the European Union.
Persons whose country of origin is Lithuania who do not have the status of citizens may legally become citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, regardless of their place of residence.
Persons residing in the Republic of Lithuania submit a petition for granting citizenship under the simplified procedure, and the documents that are attached to it, addressed to the president through the territorial police departments at the place of residence, and people residing abroad through diplomatic representative institutions, that is, the Lithuanian Embassy in any country in the world or through the Department of Migration.
The consular fee for the acceptance and transfer of securities for the acquisition or return of their citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania or restoration of citizenship of Lithuania will be fifty euros. The fee is paid directly at the Lithuanian Embassy. In some cases, certain categories of citizens may be exempted from paying state duty.