Common mistakes: the exam and the paperwork
These mistakes cost time and money. Each one follows from the official rules – check yourself before you register.
When registering
- Fee not paid. Until you pay, you are not on the candidate list.
- Only one exam. Citizenship and the general permanent-residence route need both the language and the Constitution certificates.
- Leaving it late. Places per session are limited – register early.
On exam day
- Phone in your pocket. Bringing a device in is a violation and can get you removed.
- Leaving fullscreen or copy/paste is recorded by the system.
- Arriving late. Up to 20 minutes late you can still start, but get no extra time.
- Not submitting. At the end press 'Pateikti', then 'Baigti darbą'.
- Misreading the question. Questions are only in Lithuanian – practise reading the Lithuanian text, not the translation.
When applying
- Absences too long. For permanent residence: no more than 6 months in a row and 10 months in total over 5 years.
- Study time. Time on a student permit counts only by half.
- No valid permanent right of residence. For citizenship you need it both when you apply and when the decision is made.
- No renunciation declaration for your other citizenship when one is required.
How to avoid them
Practise with the mock exam in Lithuanian and read the exam day guide.
Unofficial information, not affiliated with any state institution. Rules can change – check the official sources before you act.
Official sources
Checked: 2026-11-02
- NŠA: guidelines for foreigners (registration, fees, certificates)
- NŠA: Constitution exam computer instructions (2026)
- Law on Citizenship (Arts. 18, 19, 22, 23, 40)
- Law on the Legal Status of Aliens (Art. 53)