Moving to North Macedonia

The employer secures the work permit and ESARM issues an opinion on eligibility for the temporary residence permit for work purposes, covering standard employment, posted workers and seasonal positions. The worker obtains a Type D visa where required and applies to the Ministry of Interior. Requires a valid passport, photographs, proof of qualifications and professional experience, and a criminal record certificate. Under amendments to the Law on Foreigners in force from 26 September 2025, applicants submit a criminal record certificate only from the country where they lived in the last 12 months, and employment-based applicants no longer have to prove financial means or health insurance. Standard permits run one year and are renewable; seasonal permits six months; highly skilled permits one to two years. Renewal applications must be filed no earlier than 90 days and no later than 5 days before expiry. Note: as of August 2026 North Macedonia has no enacted digital nomad visa - one has been discussed but not legislated.

Documentary evidence of Macedonian descent within three generations and absence of Macedonian citizenship. ESARM lists this as an independent ground for issuing a work permit to a foreign citizen with regulated residence, alongside family relations and protection-based statuses. The evidence accepted for descent and the interaction with residence status are assessed case by case, and applicants should confirm requirements with ESARM and the Ministry of Interior before relying on this route.

Proof of the qualifying family relationship with a Macedonian citizen or with a foreigner who holds a valid residence permit; valid passport; criminal record certificate from the country of residence over the last 12 months; proof of accommodation. ESARM lists, among the people to whom it issues work permits, close family members of Macedonian citizens, close family members of a foreign citizen who holds a work permit for an indefinite period, and foreigners living in the country on a temporary residence permit for family reunion. The opinions ESARM gives on temporary residence permits concern work purposes (employment, posted work and seasonal work), not family reunion: the family-reunion permit itself is decided by the Ministry of Interior under the Law on Foreigners. Permits are normally granted for one year and renewed.