On the penultimate day of its work in 2023, the Lithuanian Seimas adopted amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners. Some amendments will affect the status of Belarusians as the Lithuanian MPs supported the Interior Ministry’s proposal to grant residence permits for a period of three years to some citizens of Belarus. Residence permits with extended validity will be issued to Belarusians who arrive in Lithuania through the mediation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously, this category of Belarusians was issued residence permits for one year.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and head of the group “For a Democratic Belarus”, Žygimantas Pavilionis, commented on the decision: “This is our investment in supporting those fighting against Lukashenka’s dictatorship and opposing Russian aggression in Ukraine”.
