The move is aimed at ensuring an efficient and transparent reception of Schengen visa applications at consular offices and reducing the administrative burden for Lithuania’s visa services, it said in a press release.
Foreign nationals in Belarus can continue to file their Schengen visa applications directly with Lithuanian diplomatic missions and consular offices or with visa centres the Lithuanian visa service cooperates with.
The ministry expects that Lithuanian and foreign tour operators will adapt themselves to the changes during the remaining six months and will look for alternative ways to attract foreign tourists to Lithuania.