Lithuania Has Exhausted Its 2026 Foreign Worker Quota: What It Means for Migrants
Lithuania has reached its full 2026 quota for foreign workers, introducing stricter salary requirements for many non-EU nationals seeking employment-based residence permits.
The Lithuanian Migration Department announced on 7 September 2026 that the country’s 24,706-person foreign worker quota for 2026 has been exhausted. The quota covers all professions and sectors. (Migracijos Departamentas)
For people from countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and other non-EU states who are considering Lithuania for employment, the development could make the work-migration route more difficult.
What Has Changed?
Lithuania’s 2026 foreign-worker quota was set at 24,706.
The quota applies to foreign nationals coming to Lithuania for employment and seeking a temporary residence permit on the basis of work. Since the quota has now been exhausted, additional applicants face stricter conditions. (Migracijos Departamentas)
However, this does not mean Lithuania has completely stopped accepting foreign workers.
Eligible workers can still receive a temporary residence permit if their employment meets the required salary conditions.
💶 New Salary Thresholds After the Quota Is Exhausted
According to Lithuania’s Migration Department, applicants generally need a monthly gross salary of at least:
€2,893 per month
This represents 1.2 times the latest published average gross monthly wage in Lithuania. (Migracijos Departamentas)
There is an alternative threshold for workers employed in certain high-value, shortage occupations.
For those occupations, the required salary is currently:
€2,411 per month
The occupation must be included on Lithuania’s relevant list of high-value professions experiencing labour shortages. (Migracijos Departamentas)
👷 Does This Mean Foreigners Can’t Get Jobs in Lithuania?
No.
The quota being exhausted does not create a complete ban on foreign workers.
Instead, it means many new employment-based residence applications will need to meet the higher salary requirements or qualify under the shortage/high-value occupation route. (Migracijos Departamentas)
Lithuania is expected to establish a new foreign-worker quota for 2027 through the country’s Ministry of Social Security and Labour. (Migracijos Departamentas)
🎓 Lithuania Has Also Changed Rules for International Students
The foreign-worker quota isn’t the only immigration change in Lithuania this year.
Changes that entered into force on 22 May 2026 introduced new restrictions for some international students. (Migracijos Departamentas)
Bachelor’s students
International students in the first and second years of bachelor’s studies can work a maximum of:
20 hours per week
Holidays and practical training undertaken by students are excluded from this calculation. (Migracijos Departamentas)
Students in:
- Bachelor’s years 3–4
- Master’s programmes
- PhD programmes
- Residency programmes
can generally work up to 40 hours per week under the new rules. (Migracijos Departamentas)
The eight-year maximum for study-based temporary residence permits also applies to newly issued permits from 22 May 2026. (Migracijos Departamentas)
👨👩👧 Family Reunification Rules Also Changed
Lithuania has also introduced changes affecting when foreign nationals can bring family members.
Master’s students, doctoral students and residents can bring family members immediately under the relevant rules.
Other categories may need to meet additional conditions, including having lived in Lithuania for two years, holding a temporary residence permit valid for at least one year, and having a realistic path toward permanent residence. (Migracijos Departamentas)
What Does This Mean for Pakistani Applicants?
For Pakistani citizens considering Lithuania as a destination for employment, the key message is:
Lithuania is still open to foreign workers, but the route has become more selective.
Before accepting a job offer, applicants should carefully check:
✅ Whether their occupation qualifies
✅ The salary being offered
✅ Whether the employer meets Lithuanian requirements
✅ Whether the position falls under a shortage/high-value occupation
✅ Temporary residence permit requirements
✅ Whether the employer is authorised to employ foreign workers
Applicants should not assume that simply having a Lithuanian job offer guarantees a residence permit.
🔮 What Happens Next?
The current quota is for 2026. Lithuania’s authorities are expected to establish and announce the foreign-worker quota for 2027 in the normal annual process. (Migracijos Departamentas)
For prospective migrants, this means that 2027’s quota and any future changes could become important when planning a move to Lithuania for work.
⚠️ Important: Check Before Applying
Immigration rules can change, and salary thresholds can be updated.
Anyone planning to work or study in Lithuania should check the Lithuanian Migration Department and the relevant residence-permit requirements before paying an agent, accepting a job offer or making travel arrangements.
Lithuanian Migration Department — Official Website
