Lithuania plans to open up more to foreign workers

Lithuania plans to continue this year allowing foreign drivers, construction workers and other workers of the industrial and construction sectors to come to Lithuania under a facilitated procedure after the country's Employment Service updated its list of key professions lacking workers.

The list is important for foreigners coming to work in Lithuania as they can enter the country under a facilitated procedure without a permit issued by the Employment Service if their profession is on that list.

Lithuania is estimated to need bricklayers, scaffolders, plasterers, welders, butchers, seamstresses, long-haul drivers and others this year. The Employment Service says the list of made taking into account vacancies and demand, employers' wishes, and estimated demand in a specific profession as well as businesses' planned investment and creation of new jobs.

The list is produced twice a year to balance the demand and supply in the labor market.