| There have been changes in the legislation of Lithuania on the rights of aliens holding temporary residence permit. Since 4 August 2009 the new Law with amendments and supplements of Articles 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 21, 26, 34, 35, 43, 45, 51, 53, 62, 63, 64, 80, 81, 93, 101, 102, 106, 125, and 1401 and the supplement of the Article 1401 of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania „On the Legal Status of Aliens“came into force. This Law extends the list of cases when aliens in possession of a temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania are able to invite their family members right away. These aliens are exempt from the requirement to have resided in the Republic of Lithuania for the last 2 years, hold a temporary residence permit valid for at least one year and have reasonable prospects of obtaining the right to permanently reside in the Republic of Lithuania. Earlier this exception was applied only to refugees and those who carry out research and/or experimental development works as the researcher. From now on family members could be invited to arrive right away by the persons listed below: - by those who carry out highly qualified professional work and earn no less than 3 average monthly salaries in one month; - by those who arrive to teach and take part in an internship program in educational institutions of the Republic of Lithuania according to international agreements or according to academic exchange programs of the EU and third countries; - by those who directly participating in important projects have invested property in the Republic of Lithuania. In the prior edition of the Law “On the Legal Status of Aliens” it was determined that a temporary residence permit may be issued to an alien who intends to engage in lawful activities in the Republic of Lithuania, provided that the alien registers an enterprise, agency or organization in the Republic of Lithuania as the owner or co-owner who owns at least 10% of the statutory capital or voting rights and his stay in the Republic of Lithuania is necessary seeking to attain the aims of the enterprise, agency, organization and carrying out other activities. From now on, the statutory capital must be no less than 50 000 LTL. Also, the term of 2 months has been set for concluding a contract of employment with an alien in possession of a work permit. One more change has been made for the sailors (crew members of ships) at the ports of the Republic of Lithuania who need visas to enter the Republic of Lithuania and their visa expires. In this case now sailors can stay in the Republic of Lithuania without a visa up to 3 months.
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