Lithuania tightens entry rules for foreigners

VILNIUS. Nov 22 (Interfax/BNS) - Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite has signed amendments to regulations concerning the issuance of documents to foreigners wishing to enter and stay in Lithuania, BNS reported on Tuesday with reference to the Lithuanian Interior Ministry.

The amendments introduce additional requirements that must be followed by certain categories of foreigners applying for a visa or a residence permit in Lithuania or a residence permit card for a European Union citizen's family member.

Bilotaite also instructed the Migration Department to check the presence in Lithuania of citizens of Belarus or Russia, including those with dual citizenship, under the business transfer procedure. The Migration Department is supposed to pay particular attention to procedures for losing Lithuanian citizenship in cases where a Lithuanian citizen acquires citizenship in these countries.

"By tightening the legal regulation of procedures for granting immigration and citizenship status, we must protect the state from persons who may pose a threat to national security," BNS quoted Bilotaite as saying.

The Lithuanian Interior Ministry is also planning to make amendments providing for the possibility of restricting the issuance of, or changing of documents entitling foreigners to stay in the country, revoking documents issued earlier to restrict the provision of certain services to such foreigners or the conclusion of transactions, or the consideration of applications submitted by such foreigners to acquire Lithuanian citizenship.