Lithuanian parliament’s security committee reviews Belarusians legalization restrictions

March 29, BPN. The Seimas’ national security committee has approved some amendments to the bill that would tighten the requirements for Belarusians’ legalization in Lithuania, the Lithuanian media reports.

The original version of the bill suggested that officials should stop accepting residence applications from Belarusian and Russian nationals at visa centers abroad (that doesn’t apply to those vouched for by Lithuanian government-authorized organizations) and inside the country (except for Belarusians and Russians with valid national/Schengen visas or EU residence permits). The amendments retain this proviso, but postpone its entry into force to a later date, July 1.

The suggestion to block Belarusian and Russian applications for citizenship remains, but it now has exceptions. For example, applicants who meet the naturalization requirements (at least 10 years of Lithuanian residence, good test scores, knowledge of the Lithuanian language) and aren’t a threat to national security and public order could apply for citizenship.

The bill has been amended with a clause temporarily prohibiting nationals of Belarus and Russia to transport Ukrainian cash, as it might have been stolen in Ukraine and brought to the West for legalization.

The Lithuanian media reports that the second reading of the bill is scheduled for March 30.

On March 21, the Lithuanian parliament voted on the first reading of the bill on restrictive measures connected to military aggression against Ukraine. The bill virtually suggested granting Lithuanian visas and residence permits only to certain categories of Belarusians and Russians.

The bill caused an outcry both in the Belarusian diaspora and Lithuanian agencies.