BELARUSIANS TO RECEIVE FREE NATIONAL VISAS TO LITHUANIA
Updated 2011-09-21
On September 14, 2011 the Lithuanian Government approved a proposal not to charge a consular fee for applications to issue national visas for Belarusian citizens. The national visa, otherwise known as the Category D visa, allows a foreign national to enter Lithuania and stay here for more than three months.
The refusal of the consular fee is aimed to facilitate travelling for Belarusian citizens, promote the democracy process and strengthen the civil society in Belarus, writes Baltic News Service.The Seimas adopted amendments to the Law on Consular Fees in June this year which allowed the Government not to charge the consular fee for processing visa applications when it is necessary in terms of the goals of foreign policy or national security laid down in the legal acts adopted by the Seimas.
National visa can be issued to students, journalists, sportsmen and others whose aim is a long-term being in the Republic of Lithuania. Travellers to Lithuania on touristic and other short-term stay purposes will have to obtain Schengen visa as previously.
