Frequently Asked Questions
What should be done if an incoming foreign student has been vaccinated with a vaccine that is not registered in the EU and/or not recognised in Lithuania? What document should be presented to attend lectures?
Students who have been vaccinated with a vaccine that is not recognised in the EU or in Lithuania can obtain an Opportunity Passport and participate in contact activities by taking an antibody measurement test. If the test is positive, the student can successfully participate in all contact activities for 60 days. After this period, the student would need to retake the test. When the antibody level is finally no longer above the required level, it is recommended that the student is vaccinated with one of the recognised and appropriate booster dose vaccines in Lithuania (Moderna or Pfizer vaccines).
What if a vaccinated person receives a text message specifying the self-isolation period?
The text message informing of the self-isolation period set is sent to all contacts identified by the infected person during the epidemiological investigation, as it is not yet possible to verify whether the persons identified have been vaccinated or contracted the virus.
Detailed explanations on what to do for the vaccinated or those persons who had the disease are provided in the same link in the text message, which not only allows you to fill in the contact/exposure form but also gives information on what to do for the vaccinated and those persons who contracted the virus before.
What is the situation regarding cross-border and domestic mobility?
What should I do if my period of legal residence in Lithuania expired (will expire) during the Covid-19 period?
The students whose visa or residence permit in Lithuania expired during the lockdown as well as those with respect to whom the decision regarding the return has been adopted but the period for the voluntary departure expired during the quarantine must depart from Lithuania.
The students, who need to extend their residence permits in Lithuania or have any other questions regarding migration matters, should contact the International Relations Office at .
Is VU Library open?
VU Library is open to visitors.
Opening Hours of Vilnius University Library
Users are able to return or borrow books by themselves without requesting them in advance.
Books can be returned only at the same place where they were borrowed. Books can be returned using self-service or in designated places.
You are welcome to use VU Library’s e-resources. If you have any questions, please contact the subject librarian of your faculty.
Library news and further information on services provided by the library: https://biblioteka.vu.lt/en and all you need to know about electronic resources.
We kindly remind you that:
- You are welcome to use VU Library’s Digital Collections.
- If you are a member of VU community and a document or its part is necessary for your research, you can contact the Library’s Rare Books Reading Room (via e-mail ) or Manuscripts Reading Room (via e-mail ) about the possibility of digitising it.
Please take notice of the following when visiting the Library:
- When coming to take or return books, please observe no less than a two-metre distance between yourself and other users of the Library.
- When in Library, please observe no less than a two-metre distance between yourself and other users of the Library.
- It is obligatory to wear face masks in the premises of the Library the entire time.
- Next to book borrowing places you will find a disinfection stand. We kindly ask to disinfect hands when you enter the Library.
- Users have to observe the hygiene standards and use disinfection stands. Next to book borrowing locations you will find a disinfection stand. We kindly ask you to disinfect your hands when you enter the Library. Please disinfect work desk before and after using it.
- Please observe coughing and sneezing etiquette.
- Users experiencing the symptoms of the upper respiratory tract infections (fever, cough, difficulty breathing and others) are not allowed in the Library.
How to access documents in your VU Library's user profile?
If you have ever used the computers in the Library and stored some necessary documents in your VU user profile, don’t worry – there is no need to come to the Library in person in order to retrieve them. You can access them from home simply by following these instructions.
Is there a possibility to access databases from home computers?
Members of VU community can access all the subscribed databases from home computers. It is only necessary to install VU VPN on your computer following these instructions. You can search for all information resources in the virtual library.
Is it possible to reduce the tuition fee during the remote process at the University?
Tuition fees for students are not reduced in the light of the changed study format. However, for students having financial difficulties due to the situation, the payment of tuition fees may be paid by instalments or delayed. For questions related to tuition fees, we recommend contacting the administration of your core academic unit.
Are there excursions, trainings and other events hosted at the University?
During this period excursions are organized at Vilnius University. Whenever possible, all trainings, seminars and other events are transferred to the virtual space.
More information on VU Facebook account or on VU Career Guidance.
Is VU Botanical Garden open during Covid-19 period?
Information about visiting and working hours of VU Botanical Garden in Kairenai and Vingis can be found at VU Botanical Garden website.
What actions should I take if I am coming back from vacation / business trip from abroad?
The Lithuanian government has approved countries from which travellers will not be subject to 14 days of self-isolation upon arrival.
There is also a list of countries from which travellers will be subject to a 14-day self-isolation period or travel is still prohibited.
What should I do if I am a university student on an internship / training session?
If the internship provided in the study plan does not take place at the University, follow the guidelines and recommendations of the internship institution. The internship may continue unless the institution where you are conducting your internship decides otherwise. Please contact your supervisors for details and other relevant changes. If it is not possible to carry out the internship remotely, the institution must ensure safe working conditions (e.g. disinfectants, ventilated rooms, secure distance between individuals, etc.)
If the institution does not provide distance training or the required conditions, contact your supervisor at the University to suspend or terminate your internship.
For internships abroad, follow the recommendations of the host organisation and the host country. However, if the conditions set out still seem unsafe, you can terminate the internship.
Before terminating your internship, be sure to inform you unit at the University and the Career guidance unit () regarding scholarship payment issues.
Can I apply for Erasmus+ internship?
Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Erasmus + programme has not been suspended; therefore, students who are wishing to go abroad in the summer to gain experience and develop professionally can apply for an Erasmus + traineeship. Traveling to other countries is currently restricted; therefore, we encourage you to look for internships and apply now for July-August, when the situation is likely to have stabilised. When choosing a country of placement, we recommend that you not only assess the chances of entering the country but also inquire about the coronavirus-related preventive safety measures and health treatment options in case of illness. More information on the Erasmus + traineeship can be found here.
Can I get a job in Lithuania during the COVID-19 period?
In general, there are no changes in the job application process for international students. However, due to the COVID-19 period many people in Lithuania lost their jobs. Therefore, it might be a greater competition on available positions. Moreover, we suggest to pay attention to job safety, i.e. be sure your employer creates a safe environment or an opportunity to work from home.
VU career counsellors are always ready to help you to deal with your career issues. See the advice on how to search for a job or an internship, write a CV, and prepare for a job interview on the page for Career Guidance. If you would like to discuss your career plans with career counsellors personally, participate in career events, receive feedback concerning your CV or try mock interviews, check our career services.
You can choose and apply for part-time as well as full-time jobs any time during your studies. However, do consider your capabilities to balance work with studies (you can get career counsellors’ advice on time management and also discuss other related issues).
If you have a temporary residence permit (TRP) or a national visa (D) for your studies, you are allowed to work 20 hours per week during the autumn and spring semester, and you do not have to have any work permit for that. The only exceptions are the University’s officially announced summer break (1 July – 31 August) and the internship period included in your study programme. In the aforementioned cases, you are allowed to work full-time (40 hours per week) and you do not have to have any work permit for that. Doctoral students are allowed to work full-time (40 hours per week) throughout the entire time of their studies.
In general, after completing the studies, non-EU and non-EFTA citizens who have found an employer can apply for a work permit (more information about the employment procedures). If you are a recent graduate and a non-EU or non-EFTA citizen, you have the possibility to apply for a temporary residence permit for 12 months for job search or starting self-employment (I want to receive/renew a temporary residence permit). Moreover, you can also check the list of professions-in-need which enables to apply for an EU Blue Card (residence and work permit for up to 3 years) (Expedited Blue Card procedure).
Where can I find reliable information and guidance about the virus?
The website of Vilnius University provides useful information about the virus and signs of infection.
The latest information is shared by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, the Harvard Medical School and the National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health. The centre also offers 24-hour consultations by phone: +370 61879984.
Currently, the Corona Hotline - 1808 - is operating, which is free of charge and offers 24-hour service.
More useful information regarding the coronavirus can be found here.