OBTAINING LITHUANIAN NATIONAL VISA

Transcription

1 OBTAINING LITHUANIAN NATIONAL VISA Handbook for International non-eu Freshmen Publication Date: May 2014 Published by: LCC Migration Affairs Office

2 LCC MIGRATION AFFAIRS OFFICE LCC Migration Affairs Office exists to guide non-lithuanian LCC students, faculty and staff through the process of obtaining the documents required for legal residence in the Republic of Lithuania. Please note that our Office does not have direct control over the migration processes, nor can we affect the decisions of the Lithuanian Migration Department (an institution in charge of all migration-related issues in the Republic of Lithuania). But we are ready to advise when possible! ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH Application for a National Visa in the Republic of Lithuania. Application for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) in the Republic of Lithuania. Reapplication for a Temporary Residence Permit in the Republic of Lithuania. Application for a Confirmation Letter proving an EU citizen s right to reside in the Republic of Lithuania. Invitation Letters for a Schengen Visa - special cases ONLY. OUR CONTACTS Migration Affairs Coordinator Vaiva Pelanytė DeFehr building, Office 21C Tel , extension 1521 visa@lcc.lt; vpelanyte@lcc.lt 2

3 LITHUANIAN NATIONAL VISA Non EU citizens intending to study in the Republic of Lithuania will have to obtain a Lithuanian National Visa in order to enter Lithuania and begin their studies. Students will apply for Lithuanian National Visa through the Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Lithuanian National Visa will be valid for 12 months. Please note that Lithuanian National Visa is the ONLY option for students to come and study legally in Lithuania. If you will apply for a different type of visa, you will NOT be allowed to study at LCC International University. Lithuanian National Visa allows travelling in Schengen area for 90 days in half a year. We strongly recommend you to follow our instructions. In case you fail to do this, you might not get your visa on time, and thus you will not be able to study at LCC. Additional information about each step of document preparation is provided further in this Handbook. In case you have any questions regarding the preparation of the documents, please contact our office (contact information is available on page 2), or contact your Lithuanian Consulate/Embassy. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT MUST BE VALID AT LEAST UNTIL IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BEGIN VISA APPLICATION PROCESS PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS! THERE ARE NO SILLY QUESTIONS, BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS THAT WERE NOT ASKED IN TIME! WE SPEAK RUSSIAN, ENGLISH & LITHUANIAN 3

4 STEP 1a 4 STEP 1 For students UNDER 18 years old The following documents must be prepared by applicants under 18 EACH document MUST be prepared in TWO copies. One will be used for visa application and the other MUST be brought with you to Lithuania BIRTH CERTIFICATE Make two copies of your birth certificate Go to the notary office and get a notary approval of each copy you have made DIVORCE OR DEATH CERTIFICATE (students under 18 only who live with one of the parents) Make two copies of the divorce or death certificate Go to the notary office and get a notary approval of each copy you have made POWER OF ATTORNEY (in Russian - доверенность ) go to the notary office and prepare two copies of Power of Attorney document (see page 5) FINANCIAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTS (evidence of sufficient funds to cover living and other expenses for the first year in Lithuania) You need to prove to the Embassy/Consulate that you will have at least 500 Lt (145 EUR) each month to support yourself financially while living in Lithuania. Since your visa will be issued for 12 months, you must demonstrate that you will have 6000 Lt (1740 EUR) for the first year. There are THREE options of proving your financial sufficiency. You can choose one of them, but make sure that you prepare 2 copies of ALL documents named in the option you have chosen. 1. Your parents (or one of your parents if he/she earns 145 EUR/month) must obtain an official salary letter from his/her/their employer(s). This letter must state your parent(s) monthly salary as well as that he/she/they have permanent job contract(s) and a secured job for the next coming months. If you have chosen this option, make sure that you prepare an additional document specified in PARENTS PERMISSION TO STUDY IN LITHUANIA, option 1 PREPARE TWO COPIES (see page 5). OR 2. If your parents (or one of your parents) possess(es) a bank account with the amount no less than 1740 EUR (in any currency), he/she/they should request an official bank statement with the account balance. If you have chosen this option, make sure that you prepare an additional document specified in PARENTS PERMISSION TO STUDY IN LITHUANIA, option 1 PREPARE TWO COPIES (see page 5). OR 3. If you have your own bank account with the amount of no less than 1740 EUR, request an official bank statement with the account balance. If you have chosen this option, make sure that you prepare an additional document specified in PARENTS PERMISSION TO STUDY IN LITHUANIA, option 2-PREPARE TWO COPIES (see page 5).

5 STEP 1a STEP 1 (continued) For students UNDER 18 years old The following documents must be prepared by applicants under 18 EACH document MUST be prepared in TWO copies. One will be used for visa application and the other MUST be brought with you to Lithuania PARENTS PERMISSION TO STUDY IN LITHUANIA (& a promise of financial support if applicable) 1. In case you have chosen option 1 or 2 for proving your financial sufficiency (see page 4), you need to obtain an official permission from your parents to study at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania, and their promise to support you financially while you study in Lithuania (Prepare 2 copies): Go to the notary office with your parent(s), and prepare a document stating the following, We (I) _the name(s) of the parent(s) agree that my/our son/daughter_name&surname_may study at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania. We (I) promise to provide financial support to my/our son/daughter during the time of his/her studies. The notary must certify parent s (s ) signature(s). 2. In case you have chosen option 3 (see page 4) for proving your financial sufficiency, you need to obtain an official permission from your parents to study at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania (Prepare 2 copies): Go to the notary office with your parent(s), and prepare a document stating the following, We (I) _the name(s) of the parent(s)_ agree that our/my son/daughter may study at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania. The notary must certify your &/or parent s (s ) signature(s). POWER OF ATTORNEY (in Russian - доверенность ) Prepare two copies Go to the notary with your parent(s) and prepare a document giving representative of LCC, LCC President Marlene Elizabeth Wall (citizen of Canada, passport number GA187499, born ) the right to sign documents related to your migration & residence declaration process on your behalf until you will turn 18. The notary will certify you &/or your parent s ( s) signature(s). STEP 1b Scan and the documents you have prepared to LCC Migration Affairs Office (visa@lcc.lt). After we you our approval 2 of the documents, you may proceed to STEP 2 (see page 7). 2 This is done in order to ensure that your documents meet the requirements and do not contain any mistakes as it will be costly to make any changes after STEPs 2 & 3. 5

6 STEP 1a 6 STEP 1 For students OVER 18 years old The following documents must be prepared by applicants who are 18 and older EACH document MUST be prepared in TWO copies. One will be used for visa application and the other MUST be brought with you to Lithuania FINANCIAL SUPPORT DOCUMENTS (evidence of sufficient funds to cover living and other expenses for the first year in Lithuania) You need to prove to the Lithuanian Migration Authorities that you will have at least 500 Lt (145 EUR) each month to support yourself financially while living in Lithuania. Since your visa will be issued for 12 months, you must demonstrate that you will have 6000 Lt (1740 EUR) for the first year. There are THREE options of proving your financial sufficiency. You can choose one of them, but make sure that you prepare ALL documents named in the option you have chosen. 1. Your parents (or one of your parents if he/she earns 145 EUR/month) must obtain an official salary letter from his/her/their employer(s). This letter must state your parent(s) monthly salary as well as that he/she/they have permanent job contract(s) and a secured job for the next coming months. OR 2. If your parents (or one of your parents) possess(es) a bank account with the amount no less than 1740 EUR (in any currency), he/she/they should request an official bank statement with the account balance. 3. If you have your own bank account with the amount of no less than 1740 EUR, request an official bank statement with the account balance. STEP 1b OR In case you have chosen option 1 or 2 for proving your financial sufficiency, you need to obtain an official promise from your parents to support you financially while you study in Lithuania: Go to the notary office with your parent(s), and prepare a document stating the following, We (I) _the name(s) of the parent(s)_ promise to provide financial support to my/our son/ daughter during the time of his/her studies. The notary must certify parent s (s ) signature(s). Scan and the documents you have prepared to LCC Migration Affairs Office (visa@lcc.lt). After we you our approval of the documents, you may proceed to STEP 2 (see page 7).

7 STEP 2a STEP 2 Students from Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russian Federation can proceed to STEP 3 (see page 10) Once you have prepared the documents named in STEP 1, you must authenticate both copies of certain documents for the usage abroad. Usually, it is done by receiving an Apostille certificate (see more information below in section APOSTILLE). The following documents must be authenticated for usage abroad: APOSTILLE What is Apostille? BIRTH CERTIFICATE DIVORCE/DEATH CERTIFICATE PROMISE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT PERMISSION TO STUDY IN LITHUANIA POWER OF ATTORNEY You DON T need to get Apostille certificates for bank statements and salary letters. Apostille is a certificate that verifies and confirms the seal and signature of a person who authenticated the document. It is commonly referred to the legalization of the documents for international use under the terms of the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. Documents issued from one country cannot be simply considered valid in another foreign country. Ex.: powers of attorney, affidavits, birth, death and marriages records, incorporation papers, deeds, patent applications, home studies and other legal papers. The following are considered as public deeds within the meaning of that Hague Convention: Any document issued by an authority or by an official covered by a jurisdiction of the State, including those coming from the public prosecutor, a clerk of the court or a bailiff; Administrative documents such as deeds from the public records office; Notarial deeds. Official declarations such as references of registration, visas for a set date and certifications of signature, applied to private agreements. What is the difference between Apostille and legalization? Only the countries that have signed the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents can issue Apostille. The documents from the countries, which are not the members of the convention, have to go through the longer process of document legalization. 7

8 STEP 2 (continued) Students from Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russian Federation can proceed to STEP 3 (see page 10) Member countries A B C D E F G H I J K L M N P R S T U V Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic Denmark Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, European Union Finland, France Georgia, Germany, Greece Hungary Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy Japan, Jordan Korea Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal Romania, Russian Federation Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay Venezuela Who issues Apostille? Apostille certificates may only be issued by a competent Authority designated by the State on whose territory the public document has been executed. 8

9 STEP 2 (continued) Students from Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russian Federation can List of authorities that issue Apostille proceed to STEP 3 (see page 10) Below is the list of authorities that issue Apostille in your country. Please note that this list is not complete. If you do not see your country or need more information please visit: Albania Office of Authentications of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel (4) , ext. 159 FYR of Macedonia The Ministry of Justice and, as per 11 August 1997, all 27 First Instance Courts in the Republic of Macedonia, Tel Kazakhstan Ministry of Justice, Tel. +7 (3172) Ministry of Education and Science, Tel. +7 (3172) Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tel. +7 (3172) How to obtain Apostille certificate Prepare the documents that need to have Apostille (Parents Promise of Financial Support, Parents Permission to Study, Birth/ Divorce/Death certificates copies all approved by the notary). Submit all documents to the competent institution (s) issuing Apostille certificates in your country (in the country where original document was issued). STEP 2b Scan and the documents you have prepared to LCC Migration Affairs Office (visa@lcc.lt). After we you our approval of the documents, you may proceed to STEP 3 (see page 10). 9

10 STEP 3a STEP 3 By law, any document issued in a language different than Lithuanian must have an official Lithuanian translation approved by the notary. Once you have prepared all documents as specified in STEPs 1 & 2, you must translate ALL OF THEM into Lithuanian language as well as get notary approval of ALL TRANSLATIONS. Translation must be attached to the original document you have prepared. Therefore, you must have one set (original document + Apostille (if required) + notarized translation) for each copy of the document you prepared in STEP 1. To avoid problems in Lithuania, translation of your NAME and LAST NAME into Lithuanian must be spelled exactly as they appear in your INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT (Latin alphabet). STEP 3b Scan and the documents you have prepared to LCC Migration Affairs Office (visa@lcc.lt). After we you our approval of the documents, you may proceed to STEP 4. Checklist The table below will help you to check once again whether you are ready to proceed to STEP 4. Put a X in each column next to each document when the specified part of the process is complete. When there are no empty cells, you are ready to move further with your Visa application! Documents [under 18] Apostille (if required) Lithuanian Translation Birth Certificate (2 copies) 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. Notary Approval of Translation Divorce/Death Certificate [if required] (2 copies) 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. Financial Support Documents [choose one option] (2 copies) Parents Permission to Study in Lithuania [choose one option] (2 copies) 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. Power of Attorney (2 copies) 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. Documents [over 18] Financial Support documents [choose one option] (2 copies) Parents Promise of Financial Support one option] (2 copies) 10 [choose 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc. 2 doc.

11 STEP 4a STEP 4 LCC Migration Affairs Office has prepared the following documents for the application of your Lithuanian National Visa application: 1. Application form (2 pages, in Lithuanian). 2. Document package in Lithuanian language 3. Your health insurance policy 4 (valid till ). Instructions for filling in National Visa Application Form (Prašymas išduoti nacionalinę vizą) - MAKE SURE YOU USE BLACK PEN: 1. Put your signature and date on the back page of your application form (fields 36 and 37, and the two boxes on the bottom of the last page) - AT THE EMBASSY/ CONSULATE ONLY 2. Glue your color picture (35x45 mm) on the first page of the application form (there is a square indication). 3. Fill out field 23 country of the Schengen Area you will center first on your way to Lithuania. 4. Fill out field 26 (applies to Schengen Area visas only) on the application form if applicable to your case. 5. Fill out field 33 the costs of traveling and living while you are residing in Lithuania, last subpoint Kita (nurodykite) / Other (please specify): name the sources of financing you will have while being in Lithuania ( tėvų parama - parents support; santaupos banke - savings on your bank account, etc.). 4 LCC will order health insurance policies meeting the requirement of the Lithuanian Migration Department for all international non-eu students including freshmen. The approximate cost for 12 months is 230 LT (67 EUR). You will have to pay for your insurance upon your arrival to Lithuania. More information regarding health insurance will be provided to you later in summer. 11

12 How to complete your National Visa package For students UNDER 18 The table provided below will help you to complete your Visa package for submission at the Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate. It contains a FULL LIST of documents needed for the Visa application. Most of them are ready (prepared either by you or by LCC Migration Affairs Office) while several others still need to be prepared. For visa application package you need to add only one copy of each document prepared in STEPS 1, 2, and 3. Second copy of all prepared documents must be brought to Lithuania. Nr. Document Prepared by Your actions OR/& important notes Put a X when done 1. National Visa Application Form LCC See page 11 for instructions 2. Document package in Lithuanian language LCC Health insurance policy LCC Your international passport Yourself Make sure that you take your REAL passport to the Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate. 5. Consular fee (cash) Yourself According to the law, Visa D should be free of charge for university students; however, some Consuls still require students to pay a regular fee of 60 EUR. So we encourage you to remind the Consul that this particular type of visa is free of charge in your case. 6. Birth certificate Yourself Make sure you followed all instructions for document preparation (see STEPs 1-3) 7. Divorce/Death certificate (if required) 12 Yourself Make sure you followed all instructions for document preparation (see STEPs 1-3)

13 STEP 4 (continued) How to complete your Visa package For students UNDER 18 (continued) Nr. Document 8. Financial support documents 9. Parents permission to study in Lithuania Prepared by Yourself Yourself Your actions OR/& important notes Option 1: parents salary letter(s) with notarized Lithuanian translation + see Parents permission to study in Lithuania below (Option 2) Option 2: parents official bank statement with notarized Lithuanian translation + see Parents permission to study in Lithuania below (Option 2) Option 3: your official bank statement with notarized Lithuanian translation Option 1: parents permission --- a notarized original with Apostille (unless not required) & notarized Lithuanian translation (see STEPs 1-3) Option 2: parents permission + promise of financial support --- a notarized original with Apostille (unless not required) & notarized Lithuanian translation (see STEPs 1-3) Put a X when done 13

14 STEP 4 (continued) How to complete your Visa package For students OVER 18 Nr Document Prepared by Your actions OR/& important notes Put a X when done 1 National Visa Application Form 2 Document package in Lithuanian language LCC LCC Health insurance policy LCC --- See page 11 for instructions 4. Your international passport Yourself Make sure that you take your REAL passport along with the copy to the Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate. 5. Consular fee (cash) Yourself According to the law, Visa D should be free of charge for university students; however, some Consuls still require students to pay a regular fee of 60 EUR. So we encourage you to remind the Consul that this particular type of visa is free of charge in your case. 6. Financial support documents 7. Parents promise to provide financial support (if required --- see Financial support documents, Options 1 & 2) Yourself Yourself Option 1: parents salary letter (s) with notarized Lithuanian translation + see Parents permission to study in Lithuania below (Option 2) Option 2: parents official bank statement with notarized Lithuanian translation + see Parents permission to study in Lithuania below (Option 2) Option 3: your official bank statement with notarized Lithuanian translation Make sure that it s a document approved by the notary with Apostille (unless not required) & notarized Lithuanian translation (see STEPs 1-3) 14

15 STEP 4 (continued) STEP 4b Now you are ready to submit your National Visa application package to the Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. In case there is no Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate in your home country, check where the closest Lithuanian Embassy or Consulate is located. Apply for your visa at least 0,5-1 months prior to your intended arrival to Lithuania (but no earlier than 3 months). It is recommended to contact the Lithuanian Consul in advance and make an appointment. Your visa will be issued within 7-10 days from the date of application s submission. When meeting with the Consul, make sure that you discuss how you will get your passport with visa back. You might be required to pick it up from the Embassy or Consulate in person, or the Consul might mail it back to your address for additional fee. List of the Lithuanian Embassies and Consulates -and-consular-posts-of-the-republic-of-lithuania 15

16 AFTER ARRIVING TO LITHUANIA After arriving to Lithuania students will apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) card. Students will submit Temporary Residence Permit card applications at local Klaipeda Migration Office. LCC Migration Affairs Coordinator will guide students through the process of TRP application. WHAT IS A TRP CARD? Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) card is a document providing a foreigner the right to reside in the Republic of Lithuania for a definite period of time and to choose a place of Living in Lithuania. A TRP card allows its holder to travel in all Schengen countries for 90 days in six months. It takes 4 months for Migration Department in Vilnius to make a decision to issue a TRP card. TRP card has to be extended each year. COSTS COMING WITH TRP CARD 1. TRP application cost LT (required with TRP application) 2. Insurance policy extension each year approximately 230 LT 3. Cost of pictures up to 20 LT (required with TRP application) 4. Cost of TRP card 100 LT (required after TRP decision is made) More information on TRP will be provided by LCC Migration Affairs Office via s in September of

17 Questions? or call us! or

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