After the 28 November 2006 amendment to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens transposing the EC Directive on family reunion, family reunion policies are slightly favourable in Lithuania. Migrant workers are eligible to sponsor a wide range of family members, but only after two years of residence. During that time, relatives can only visit Lithuania as tourists (90 days in a half of a year). The second most favourable in the 28 MIPEX countries, conditions for family reunion still involve proof of sufficient accommodation and income and a long waiting period. Reunited families are partially insecure in their status, since the state can reject their application or withdraw their permit without taking into account many of their family circumstances. However, reunited families can stay with their sponsors as long as they remain in Lithuania. Families then enjoy rights that have attained best practice (see box).
