Following the entry into force of the amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, which aim to regulate labour migration flows more efficiently, some provisions dealing with court appeals against decisions on the legal status of foreigners have been modified.

The practice applied until now, when a foreigner was allowed to retain a temporary or permanent residence permit if he or she appealed against the decision of the Migration Department to cancel the foreigner’s permit, has been abandoned.

In such cases, the foreigner kept a valid temporary or permanent residence permit card even though he or she failed to meet the requirements of the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens necessary to hold such documents.

Those who remained in Lithuania attempted to legitimize their stay in the country in a variety of ways: by finding another employer, by starting studies, by entering into fictitious marriages with Lithuanian citizens, etc.

As of 1 July 2024, the decision of the Migration Department to cancel a residence permit held by a foreigner will no longer be automatically suspended if appealed.

This means that the foreigner’s residence permit will be declared invalid, regardless of whether the foreigner appeals against the decision of the Migration Department to cancel his or her residence permit within 14 days, or not.

If the foreigner does not leave Lithuania within 14 days after the cancellation of the residence permit, a decision of his or her return will be issued.

If the return decision is not enforced, the foreigner will be deported and prohibited from entering the Republic of Lithuania.