Lithuania Embassy in Minsk, Belarus- 6 Steps to Apply For a Schengen Visa

Lithuania Consulate in Minsk is located in Belarus which has processed huge number of Lithuania Schengen Visa applications. Lithuania is one of the 26 member Schengen country based on the Schengen agreement. Schengen or the Schengen area are the territories of the States which are signatories to the Schengen Agreement. This space is special in that its external borders are closely guarded and the control of the internal borders of the space has been abolished. The Schengen States have a common visa policy. A general visa is used in Schengen. This means that a person only needs one visa to travel within the Schengen area. From the first day of membership in Schengen, all Lithuanian visa services issue Schengen visas and carry out checks in the Schengen Information System, including consultations of Schengen visas in the VIS mail system. Lithuania Consulate in Minsk has an agreement with  VF Services (UK) Ltd. Although the procedure for all Schengen visa applications is almost similar but before applying for visa, it’s better to go through all the information related to that particular consulate. In this blog we are going to discuss that how we can apply for Schengen visa at Lithuania Consulate in Minsk, Belarus.

Schengen visa (2019) stats issued at Lithuania embassy In Minsk, Belarus

Who can Apply Schengen Visa from Lithuania Embassy in Minsk, Belarus

Visa applicants who reside near Minsk, Belarus are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from Lithuania Embassy in Minsk. Travelers with Belarus Visit visas are not eligible to apply and they need to apply from their home country.

All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to Schengen visa obligation who are legally present in Belarus can present a justification for lodging an application in Belarus rather than in their country of residence. Lithuania Embassy in Minsk has the right to evaluate the justification provided and to receive or not the visa applications.

Lithuania embassy in Minsk has now outsourced all visa processing to Vfs Global and they will process visa application for Lithuania Schengen Business visa.

1) Embassy of Lithuania in Minsk, Belarus

Address

Ul. Zacharova 68

220088 Minsk, BELARUS

Email: konsulinis.by@urm.lt

Phone: +375 17 285 2449, +375 17 285 2448, +375172176496

Timings: Monday-Thursday 9.00-18.00

Friday 9.00-17.00

lunch break 13.00-13.45

View on Google maps ->

2) At the VFS Global Lithuania Visa Application Center Minsk, Belarus

Address

Bobruiskaya 6 Galileo Shopping mall 6th floor,

Minsk 220050 Belarus

View on Google maps ->

Vfs global visa application center at Minsk, Lithuania accepts visa applicants without appointment but it is recommended to make an appointment to prevent delays and avoid waiting times. All appointments will be scheduled from 9 am to 5:00 pm, according to availability. Access is restricted to applicants who have an appointment confirmed by the Embassy or whose interview has been scheduled through the Visa Centre. Please, always remember to print and bring your appointment confirmation received from the Embassy or from the Visa Centre. Proof of appointment will be asked both by guards at the main gate on the street and by security at the entrance of the Embassy.

Visa Application Fee Structure for Lithuania embassy in Minsk, Belarus

Application fee is collected on behalf of the Embassy of Lithuania in Belarus

Visa fee is paid in Belorussian Rubles (BYN) at the rate agreed additionally on the day of payment

Service Fee:

Applicants lodging the visa application at the Lithuania Visa Application Centre also need to pay a VFS service charge in BYN of the equivalent of 19,90 Euros for submission inclusive of VAT per application will be levied for customers applying at the visa application center.

Visa Application Processing time

The Embassy of Lithuania processes Schengen tourist and business visa applications within 15 calendar days, eventually extendible to 30 days. For national visas processing requires up to 30 days for family reunion and salaried work, and up to 120 days for self-employment work

Schengen Visa Types issued by Lithuania Consulate in Minsk, Belarus

Schengen visas are issued for about 90 day or less depending the reasons for applying visa which are explained below. National visa is also issued which has the duration longer than 90 days.

Visa Applicants can choose category depending on below reasons

• Visiting Italy- This visa is issues for tourism/vacation purposes
• Business Visa- This visa is issues for professional/work related purposes
• Schengen cultural visa- This visa for attending events
• Study Visa – This visa is used for training or study purpose
• Airport transit visa- This visa is used for transit
• Family visa- This visa is issues for meeting family
• Sports visa- This visa is issued for sports person
• Medical visa- This visa is issued for receiving medical treatments

Can Schengen Visa be Used for Multiple Entry or Single Entry?

Consulates offer Schengen visa depending on reasons applied for, documents submitted and the fees paid.  Below are categories applicants can get

Multiple Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country any number of times within 90 days

Single Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country only once within 90 days

Can a third party submit my visa application for me?

Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempt from biometric data entry. Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for a limited number of applicants, including children under the age of twelve and persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the national government with members of their official delegation and spouses will also be exempted, if travelling for official purposes.

6 Steps to apply Schengen Visa Application from Lithuania Embassy in Minsk

Applying for Schengen business Visa is a simple and quick process if you prepare documentation carefully. If you follow steps below you can apply visa without any worries. You need to apply atleast 2 -3 weeks prior to travel date so that you give enough time for embassy to process your application

Step 1: Choose right visa category and Complete Schengen visa application

Applying for a Lithuania Schengen Visa, your main destination should be Lithuania. Depending on your reason for trip select the right Schengen visa type for traveling to Lithuania. Fill the Schengen visa form online for the selected visa type. Print the form and attach a photo. Note that these documents will be requested when submitting your visa application to the VFS Global center.

Step 2: Prepare for supported documents

One of the most critical steps for getting visa is to get all required documents which need to be submitted along with your visa application. Below is the list of documents needed which may be needed depending on visa type.

1. Passport size photo
2. Schengen Visa application form
3. Valid Passport – with at least 6 months validity having 2 blank pages
4. Flight Itinerary for Schengen Visa
5. Hotel Reservation
6. sufficient amount of financial means for travel
7. Invitation letter
8. Travel Medical Insurance For Schengen visa
9. Address proof
10. Employment certificate
11. Marriage/ Birth certificate

Step 3: Make an appointment with the Lithuania Visa Application center, Minsk

Create a Vfs account by entering your personal email address and password. Fill the requested personal data. If you are part of a group of people applying for a visa, please also enter the data of those accompanying you and proceed to validate the group. Book an appointment by selecting day and time at your convenience to attend visa interview at Vfs center, Minsk, Belarus. Don’t forget to print your appointment confirmation letter, as it will be required at our reception area.

Step 4: Attend Schengen Visa Interview at Lithuania Embassy in Minsk

Go through few important and most frequently asked question by visa officer during interview. Below is the list of frequently asked questions

• Purpose of Your Trip?
• Is anyone sponsoring your trip?
• How long do you stay?
• Do you regularly pay your income tax?
• Can you provide your bank statement?

To refer detailed interview questions, check out Schengen visa interview questions

What To Do on the Date of Visa Interview

Go to Vfs Global Lithuania Visa application center in Minsk, Belarus on the date of interview atleast 30 min before your interview so that you can relax and have an overview of the location to get yourself comfortable. Ensure you got all required documents along with photocopies for your visa application. During the interview process you may be required to give biometrics data depending on embassy requirements. After the biometrics is done you need to pay the required Schengen visa fee & service fee and submit your application.

Step 5: Processing the visa Application

At Vfs global center, you will be taken care of by an agent who will check that all the documents necessary for your application are present in your file. A fact sheet will be given to you. If your file is complete, your application will be forwarded to the Embassy.

If documents are missing or do not meet the requirements of the Embassy General of Lithuania, you can:

• Request the shipment despite everything the application, at the risk of losing the visa application fee and being refused by the Embassy;
• Withdraw your application and recover the visa application fee. You will be able to re-file a complete application at a later date.

If you decide to send your file to the Embassy, you will proceed, after payment of the fees, to deposit your biometric data directly with the VFS center.

Step 6: Return of Passport

You can track the progress of your application using track your visa application status online. Applicants can use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your Date Of Birth to access this service. Once your visa application is decided by the Embassy General of Lithuania, your passport will be returned to the Vfs visa application Centre or have your documents returned to you by courier (if offered by the Visa Application Centre) for an additional fee.  you will be notified to collect your passport either in person or through a representative. In some cases, due to incomplete/insufficient supported documents provided, visa application can be rejected.

What happens if Schengen Visa is refused

Negative decisions on applications are notified to the applicant. In the refusal letter reasons on which refusal decision was taken are clearly stated. Visa applicants whose applications are refused can decide to apply again or to appeal.

Below are some of the reasons of Schengen Visa Rejection

• Inadequate explanation of the traveling purpose 
• Lack of financial proof to support trip cost
• Invalid passport or Passport expiring in 2 months
• No travel insurance covering trip
• Did not provide accommodation proof
• Missing documents 

If your Schengen Visa is rejected for some reason then you can re-apply Schengen Visa by following the article Help With Schengen Visa Rejection

Summary:

Apply Schengen Visa process at Lithunia Embassy, Minsk Belarus is simple and you need to work with Vfs Global to submit your application by following this article. Hopefully your visa will be approved and you can enjoy your trip with family, friends & others. Holders of a new Schengen visa, or of a Schengen visa still valid, therefore, are not automatically allowed to enter Lithuania and Schengen territory and must comply with the travel restrictions in force at Schengen level and at the level of the country of first entry into the Schengen area because of Covid pandemic. It is indeed the responsibility of each traveler to check the travel restrictions in place before departure