The Interior Ministry, the author of the proposed changes, says that authorities have observed growing numbers of foreigners declaring business intentions in Lithuania, however, their actual plans do not involve business – they just want to use the permits to enter the Schengen visa-free zone.
According to the amendments, foreigners declare residence in the same addresses, therefore, it is likely that owners of the housing make profit from the “service” to foreigners.
The changes envisage that foreigners would only receive a residence permit, if the residential premises feature at least 14 square meters for everyone who has declared residence there.
Permits would not be issued to those foreigners, if the company he intends to head is found to be fictitious, also if the foreigner's presence in Lithuania is not mandatory for the company's objectives and operations, reads the proposed changes.
The draft envisages better arrival conditions for foreigners coming to Lithuania to do skilled work, i.e., they would enjoy longer residence permits and would not be required to prove the conformity of their skills to the needs of the Lithuanian labor market, if the employer intends to pay him a salary that is three times higher than the average monthly wages in Lithuania.
