Long-term assistance and residence permits 

Long-term residence and permits

Long-term assistance

Victims of human trafficking can receive long-term assistance during their time in the NGO assistance program. The assistance is organized and coordinated by anti-trafficking NGOs in cooperation with the administration and social service of the municipality. Foreign victims of human trafficking are entitled to receive the same long-term assistance as citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, within the limits of available funds.

Employment enhancement programmes may be developed for persons who are victims of trafficking in human beings who have completed psychological, social and/or vocational rehabilitation programs. In order to participate in such programmes, the victim needs to submit an application to the Lithuanian Employment Service no later than six (6) months after the completion of the psychological, social and/or vocational rehabilitation program.

The Lithuanian Employment Act regulates that labour market services and employment support measures apply to:

1. Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, citizens of the Member States of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association and their family members residing in the Republic of Lithuania;
2. Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, citizens of the Member States of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association and their family members residing in another Member State of the European Union or the European Free Trade Association;
3. Persons who are not citizens of the European Union within the meaning of Article 20(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and are not persons who, in accordance with the legislation of the European Union, exercise the right of free movement of persons (hereinafter referred to as “third-country nationals”) who hold a residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania, persons who have been granted the status of a displaced person and persons entitled to temporary protection, until the adoption of the decision on the granting (non-granting) of interim protection, but not longer than for the period of temporary protection

Based on the Law on Social Services, municipalities are responsible for providing and financing social services and assistance for residents of the municipality. However, municipalities are not eligible to seek any reimbursement for assisting officially identified victims of trafficking who are residents in the municipality.