Lithuania closes schemes for migrants: new strict rules for students and workers.

According to ТСН: In Vilnius, a decision was made to switch to "quality" rather than "quantity" migration. The newly appointed head of the Lithuanian Migration Department, Indre Gaspere, reported that the authorities intend to prevent schemes where foreigners come ostensibly for studies, but actually work or enter into sham marriages to obtain documents.

Stop the fraud

The official noted that the Ministry of the Interior aims to strengthen the policy not to reduce the number of arrivals, but to bring order.

"We want to strengthen to prevent abuses, not to provide fake documents, and not to arrive under one pretext, but live in Lithuania under another," emphasized Gaspere.

Among the most common schemes of "gray" migration, she highlighted the arrival under the guise of students for illegal employment and sham marriages.

New employment requirements

In December, the Lithuanian Seimas began reviewing amendments to legislation. According to the government initiative, citizens of third countries will be able to obtain a residence and work permit only by meeting one of the conditions:

• availability of relevant professional qualifications;

• work experience of at least one year in the last three years.

It is also planned to tighten the entry requirements for foreign students.

Language as a "sign of respect"

Indre Gaspere drew attention to the issue of integration. She believes that foreigners who work directly with people should know the state language at least at a basic level.

"It would now be appropriate to require a certificate of level A1 from all people working in the service sector. Because it is simply a sign of respect for the state," stated the head of the department.

Indre Gaspere took office as head of the Migration Department this Thursday. Her department is responsible for issuing residence permits, citizenship, and monitoring the legal status of foreigners.

Additionally, let us remind you that Lithuanian military personnel may appear in Ukraine after the signing of a peace agreement. The government is considering sending several hundred soldiers to maintain security guarantees.

The new initiatives of Lithuania indicate a growing focus on migration policy, aimed not only at regulating the number of arrivals but also at ensuring their integration into society. In particular, the emphasis on knowledge of the state language highlights the importance of communication between new residents and local inhabitants.