Background
- Location
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Languages
- English (native-equivalent), Lithuanian (native), Russian (advanced — CIS market)
- Education
- LL.B. and LL.M., Vilnius University · Doctorate in Migration Law Focus: non-EU student residency under the Lithuanian national D visa framework
- Specialization
- AIKOS registry verification · MRU/ISM/LCC/VU admissions · Lithuanian national D visa · Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) · Migration Department procedures · Schengen mobility post-residency
- At Birlay
- Senior Education Consultant — Lithuania (Vilnius desk)
- Editorial role
- Lead author on the Lithuania content series
What I cover
Ten years of hands-on experience cover the full non-EU student journey from AIKOS programme verification through the 2-year post-study residence permit. Recurring focus areas:
What I do at Birlay
I lead Birlay's Lithuania operations from our Vilnius desk, working directly with prospective students from non-EU countries who want to study at MRU, ISM, LCC, or Vilnius University. My role covers:
- AIKOS verification as step zero — confirming the chosen programme appears in the AIKOS state registry (aikos.smm.lt) and noting the programme code before any deposit, invitation letter, or consulate appointment is arranged
- University application support — guiding students through MRU, ISM, LCC, and VU admissions portals, including invitation letter (kvietimas) review to confirm every consulate-checked field is present
- Pre-submission document review — checking financial proof (3-month bank statements, €3,000–5,000 accessible liquid funds), health insurance (minimum €30,000 cover valid in Lithuania), and accommodation confirmation before any file goes to the consulate
- Document preparation — apostille chains for India (MEA), Pakistan (MoFA Islamabad), Nigeria (MFA Abuja), Bangladesh (MoFA Dhaka), and CIS-resident applicants; coordination of certified English/Lithuanian translations
- Consulate coordination — matching applicants to the Lithuanian consulate serving their country (including West Africa served via Warsaw) and managing appointment lead times
- Post-arrival TRP support — Temporary Residence Permit registration at the Migration Department within 3 months of arrival, and the path to the 2-year post-study residence permit after graduation
Editorial principles
All Lithuania-focused articles published under my byline on Birlay.com are reviewed for accuracy against current Lithuanian consulate requirements, the AIKOS register, MRU/ISM/LCC fee schedules, and Migration Department procedures. Legal claims are independently verified by Birlay's Lithuania reviewer — Marius Jonauskas, Lithuania Bar #5412, immigration and education-law specialist.
Independent verification
Birlay's editorial policy requires all author profiles to be independently verifiable. Author bios are not generated content. If you would like to confirm credentials before relying on Lithuania-related guidance published under my byline, contact Birlay's editorial team at editorial@birlay.com, or verify the Lithuania reviewer's credentials via the Lithuanian Bar Association public register (Lithuania Bar #5412).
Published on Birlay — Lithuania series
The Lithuania knowledge base for non-EU students — AIKOS universities, the national D visa, costs, residence permit, and work rights:
Contact me
For Lithuania admissions consultations, AIKOS verification, document review, or D visa application guidance:
- Email: rasa@birlay.com
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rasa-petrauskas-birlay
- Editorial inquiries: editorial@birlay.com
Free 30-minute initial consultations are available via video or in-person at Birlay's Vilnius desk (by appointment).