One of the easiest Schengen visa applications that I applied for was through Lithuania. However, Lithuania doesn’t actually have an embassy or a consulate in the Philippines.
Lithuania doesn’t have its own Embassy in the Philippines. However, it’s processing visa applications through the Embassy of Austria.
My Schengen visa application has to be processed via the Austrian Embassy, which is submitted to VFS, a third-party visa centre.
This guide will show you how to apply for the Lithuania visa for Filipinos from the Philippines. I listed everything you need to know – from requirements to steps that you must take to lodge your application.
There’s also a list of FAQs to answer other questions. I have a free itinerary template that you can follow and the free template of what I use for my Schengen visa cover letter.
I already wrote a general guide on how to apply for a Schengen visa for Filipinos, but this post will be more tailored for Lithuania. If you want to submit with Germany, I also have a tourist visa guide for Germany from the Philippines.
BASIC INFORMATION ON LITHUANIA VISA
Visa difficulty
Since this is still a Schengen visa, I would give this a 7/10 visa difficulty, 1 being the hardest. I had an easy experience, but the requirements and process are the same as other Schengen visas.
That means that, as an applicant, you still have to prove that you have the budget to travel to Europe and plan to return home to the Philippines afterwards.
If you’re feeling unsure if you’re ready to apply for a Schengen visa or worried about being denied, perhaps you can read our guide on how to make your Philippines passport strong.
Our blog is a big advocate for building a strong travel profile before trying out with harder visas such as Schengen, US, Canda, Australia, and New Zealand.
How much does a Lithuania visa cost
| Adults | €80 |
| Children between 6 to 12 years old | €40 |
| Children younger than 6 years old | free |
VFS usually only accept payments in cash. Some centres accept Gcash, but it’s rare. So, it’s best to bring enough cash, have some funds in Gcash, and bring your bank card just in case.
How long does a Lithuania visa take to process
It takes between 7 to 15 working days, depending on the season (which is around Christmas and Holy Week in the Philippines). It could also take longer if the embassy asks you to send additional documents.
Where to apply for Lithuania visa
The Lithuanian Embassy operates through the Austrian Embassy. You will lodge your tourist visa application for Lithuania through VFS.
There’s no interview for the visa application, but VFS has the authority to refuse your application if your documents are incomplete.
However, VFS doesn’t make the decision regarding your application. Austria/Lithuania Embassy does.
Of course, you can insist on submitting your document as is. But you should really take advantage of the help from VFS when they think you should get more documents to increase the chances of your Lithuania visa application being accepted.
How soon can I apply for Lithuania via
You can apply as soon as 6 months prior to your planned travel date and no later than 15 calendar days before your planned departure.
If you’re visiting Lithuania during the peak season (summer; June to August), you should lodge your application as soon as possible.
In this way, you will get the decision sooner and be able to finalise your travel plans, such as booking accommodation and flights. You can get better prices if you book these at least 3 months in advance.
REQUIREMENTS FOR LITHUANIA VISA
The requirements for a Lithuania visa for Filipinos are very much the same as any Schengen visa:
- Passport
- 2 passport photos (coloured, 35-40 mm / 3.5×4.5 cm, 70-80% must be your face, white background, showing both ears, have a digital and printed copy – like this)
- Application form (fill out online, then print on A4)
- Travel itinerary (day-to-day, get a copy of what my travel itinerary looks like)
- Hotel bookings (reserve; I use this site because I can cancel for free if my visa is denied)
- Roundtrip flight (reserved, I book directly with the airline, but they often offer cancellation for a fee of $100-$120, in case my visa is denied, I prefer this to dummy ticket or travel agent tickets which are only valid for 3 days)
- Tour bookings (reserve; I use this site because I can cancel for free)
- Travel Insurance – must get one from this official list (you can email the company if they provide a refund in case of visa refusal; must have €30,000 coverage, including emergencies)
- Transportation booking (train, buses, ferries)
- Bank statements (from the last 90 days; you can print this on your own)
- Bank certificate (certified by your bank)
- Investments (land title, stocks, dividends, etc)
- Work certificate (request from your workplace)
- Approved request for vacation days (from your workplace)
- Work ID (photocopy)
- ITR (or the latest quarter if newly registered)
- BIR registration (For business owners, self-employed/freelancers)
- Business certificate (if applicable)
- Cover letter (get a copy of the cover letter I always use)
- Application fee (VFS usually only accept cash, so bring both cash and card, just to be sure)
- Appointment
- Passport copy of your travel companion (and visa if they already have a visa)
- Sponsorship letter (your host must get the official invitation letter from the local migration office of the police commissariat in Lithuania)
- For an additional list of documents, check this VFS list.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON APPLYING FOR LITHUANIA VISA FOR FILIPINOS
When people start their Lithuania visa application, they often start by filling out the visa application form, which I think is not the smartest way to begin.
Instead, gather your documents first. If you don’t have a passport yet, start with that. But if you already have one, the next requirement that takes a long time to collect is any documents related to your work such as a certificate of employment, approval of vacation, and ITR.
The last document you want to get is the bank certificate and bank statement. The bank certificate is only valid for 7 days, so you want to get that last – when you are really ready to go.
- Print out the application form and fill out your information. You can fill it out as hand-written or fill it out digitally and then print it. But you must make your signature by hand.
- Gather other documents – printed copy, make it all the same paper size (I recommend a4)
- Make an appointment with VFS Austria to submit your documents and pay for your Schengen visa fee. They have offices both in Makati/Manila and Cebu.
- Show up on your appointment date. You might have to put your phone and other electronic devices in a locker (you might have to pay for the locker).
- You can choose to have your visa delivered to you or get picked up from VFS.
- Wait until you hear from VFS when you can pick up your passport or if it’s on the way to you.
- VFS doesn’t know if your visa is approved, until after you open your passport packet.
FAQ
- Do I really need to book a flight?
- You only need a reserved flight. But getting a reserved flight means you can call the airlines. If you don’t mind paying the cancellation fee, about $100-$200 – that’s a better option than dummy tickets or 3-day tickets.
- Is there a Lithuania Embassy in the Philippines?
- No, but the Austrian Embassy handles the visa application for Lithuania.
- Can I use a dummy ticket?
- I have never used a dummy ticket for a Schengen visa. I heard some people had a few years back and never had trouble. But today, the Embassies are aware of dummy tickets, and those tickets are only valid for a limited time. So, I would rather pay a bit extra and book a flight ticket that I can cancel for a fee of $100 than risk receiving a mini red flag on my name for future Schengen visa applications for using a dummy ticket because I submitted a fraud document.
- Can I pay with a bank card at VFS?
- Usually no, it’s more common to pay cash.
- Do I have to arrive in Lithuania first before going to other Schengen countries?
- Yes. The Embassy that issued your visa must be your first entry point. Turkish Airlines flies from Manila to Istanbul to Vilnius.
- Do I have to go to VFS physically?
- Yes, VFS has to take your biometrics (fingerprints). But some VFS has a “we come to your door” service for a fee in case you can’t travel to the VFS centre.
FINAL TIPS
I love applying through the Lithuanian Embassy. It’s so straightforward and I find them much less strict than Italy and Germany. But on the flip side, you will be lodging your application through Austria Embassy.
As I always say, as long as you stay true to your purpose and submit all the required documents, you should be able to get your dream Schengen visa in no time.