Lithuania has proposed a new system to issue temporary work permits to migrant workers more quickly and on a priority basis, allowing stays of up to two years.
The Presidential Office said the permits would be “security-oriented”, designed to prevent workers from settling in the country permanently. Foreigners under the program would not be eligible for family reunification or permanent residency.
President Gitanas Nausėda said the initiative seeks to balance immigration control with the needs of businesses.
“The essence of this system would be that foreigners, within the established quota, could only work for a specific employer, would not be able to change employers in Lithuania, and would have to leave Lithuania for at least six months after two years at the latest,” said Deividas Matulionis, the president’s chief national security adviser.
Nausėda argued that Lithuania’s demographic challenges should be addressed by encouraging higher birth rates rather than increasing immigration.
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