Every way into North Macedonia.

The Type C short-stay visa authorises stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period in North Macedonia, used for tourism, visiting family or friends, and short business trips. The application is lodged at a North Macedonian diplomatic-consular mission no earlier than six months and at least 15 days before the intended trip. Applicants must show a travel document valid at least three months beyond the intended stay, travel medical insurance, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the stay and return, and the purpose of travel. The visa does not authorise employment and does not lead to residence. The standard fee is EUR 60 (EUR 35 for children aged 6-12). Nationals of the EU, Schengen states and many other countries are visa-exempt for short stays and do not use this product.

Government fee

€60

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

180 days

The Type C transit visa permits passage through North Macedonia for up to five days while travelling to a third country. It is issued under the same Type C category as the short-stay visa and lodged at a North Macedonian diplomatic-consular mission. Applicants must hold a travel document valid at least three months beyond the transit, evidence of onward travel and, where required, an entry visa for the destination country, plus travel medical insurance and proof of funds. The transit visa does not authorise work or residence. The fee is EUR 60 (EUR 35 for children aged 6-12). A separate Type A airport-transit visa exists for passengers who remain in the international transit zone of an airport.

Government fee

€60

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

5 days

Validity

180 days

The Type C visa issued for business purposes covers meetings, negotiations, conferences, trade fairs and similar activity in North Macedonia for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is lodged at a North Macedonian diplomatic-consular mission with a business invitation from a company in North Macedonia, evidence of the business relationship, travel medical insurance and proof of funds and accommodation. Short-term services such as creative or trade-fair work and emergency services may be performed under a certificate from the Employment Service Agency without a work permit, but general local employment is not authorised by this visa. The fee is EUR 60 (EUR 35 for children aged 6-12).

Government fee

€60

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

180 days

Temporary residence is granted to foreign nationals receiving medical treatment in North Macedonia, or accommodation and care in institutions for the elderly, as distinct grounds under the Law on Foreigners. It is generally issued for up to one year and renewable as long as treatment or care continues, with the Type D long-stay visa issued after the Ministry of Interior decision (D-visa fee EUR 70). Applicants provide confirmation from the medical or care institution, evidence of funds to cover treatment and stay, accommodation and health coverage. The permit is for the treatment or care purpose and does not authorise employment.

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Foreign nationals admitted to schooling or higher-education study in North Macedonia obtain temporary residence for education, generally granted for up to one year and renewable for the duration of studies. The Type D long-stay visa is issued after the Ministry of Interior grants residence (D-visa fee EUR 70, EUR 35 for children 6-12). Applicants must show enrolment or admission at a recognised institution, means of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance. The permit covers full enrolment; foreign students may perform certain short-term work covered by an Employment Service Agency certificate. Continuous lawful residence contributes toward the five years required for permanent residence.

• Study: Full enrolment at the admitting institution.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence is granted to foreign nationals participating in programmes of international exchange of pupils or students in North Macedonia, a distinct ground under the Law on Foreigners. It is generally issued for up to one year, aligned to the exchange programme, with the Type D long-stay visa issued after the Ministry of Interior decision (D-visa fee EUR 70). Applicants provide confirmation from the hosting institution or exchange organisation, proof of accommodation and subsistence, and health insurance. The permit is tied to the exchange and is not a general work or settlement route.

• Study: Participation in the exchange programme of study.

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Foreign nationals who establish and run a company in North Macedonia (for example as a founder or manager performing work for their own company) regularise their stay through temporary residence tied to that business activity, with a work permit where they perform work. Temporary residence is generally granted for up to one year and renewable. The Type D long-stay visa is issued after the Ministry of Interior decision (D-visa fee EUR 70). Applicants must show the registered company, means of subsistence, accommodation and health insurance, and meet the work-permit requirements administered with the Employment Service Agency. Continuous lawful residence on this basis counts toward the five years required for permanent residence.

• Work: Authorises the declared business activity; work for the company requires a work permit.
• Study: Lawful residence permits study.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Foreign nationals employed by an employer in North Macedonia obtain temporary residence for work, paired with a work permit; the Employment Service Agency (ESARM) gives the eligibility opinion for the residence permit for work purposes. Temporary residence is generally granted for up to one year and is renewable for further one-year periods. The Type D long-stay visa is issued after the Ministry of Interior decides to grant temporary residence; the D-visa consular fee is EUR 70 (EUR 35 for children aged 6-12). Under the amendments effective 26 September 2025, employment-based applicants no longer need to prove financial means or health insurance, the employer must submit a notarised statement covering stay costs, and registration with the Employment Agency must occur within 30 days of the permit being issued. Time on this permit counts toward the five years of continuous residence required for permanent residence.

• Work: Work for the specified employer under the work permit and residence permit.
• Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside work.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Foreign nationals engaged in seasonal work in North Macedonia obtain temporary residence for seasonal work; the Employment Service Agency (ESARM) issues the eligibility opinion specifically for seasonal employment of a foreign citizen. Temporary residence is generally granted for up to one year, aligned to the seasonal engagement, and the Type D long-stay visa is issued after the Ministry of Interior grants residence (D-visa fee EUR 70). Under the 2025 amendments, applications must be filed between 90 and 5 days before expiry and the employer must guarantee stay costs by notarised statement. Seasonal residence is tied to the named employer and sector; short, capped seasonal stays generally do not build toward permanent residence in the same way as continuous employment.

• Work: Limited to the seasonal sector and employer named in the permit.

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Foreign employees sent (posted/seconded) to North Macedonia by a foreign employer to perform work for a host entity obtain temporary residence for this purpose, with an eligibility opinion from the Employment Service Agency (ESARM) for workers sent to the country. Under the 2025 amendments to the Law on Foreigners, residence for seconded employees is capped at 180 days, extended to one year where the host has confirmed strategic-partner status. The Type D long-stay visa is issued after the Ministry of Interior decision (D-visa fee EUR 70). The posting is tied to the specific assignment and host entity. Time-limited secondments do not establish a path to permanent residence.

• Work: Work limited to the secondment assignment and host entity.

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Max stay

180 days

Validity

180 days

A temporary residence permit is available to a foreigner who is a resident of an EU or OECD member state (or covered by an applicable international agreement) who has acquired ownership of an apartment, residential building or house in North Macedonia worth at least EUR 40,000. The permit is issued for up to one year and may be prolonged each time for up to one year; renewal is denied if the holder has not resided in North Macedonia for more than three months during the previous permit period. Applicants must show the property title plus means of subsistence, accommodation, health insurance and no security/criminal bar. This is a property-linked residence, not a passive golden visa, and by itself does not grant work authorisation.

• Study: Lawful residence permits study.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Min. investment

€40,000

Temporary residence for family reunification is granted to family members of a foreigner holding temporary or permanent residence in North Macedonia (and to immediate family of North Macedonian citizens). Eligible members include the spouse, minor children, first-degree relatives in the direct ascending line, adult children unable to provide for themselves on health grounds, and the parents of a minor where it serves the best interests of the child. The permit is generally issued for up to one year, aligned to the sponsor's residence, with the Type D long-stay visa issued after the Ministry of Interior decision (D-visa fee EUR 70). Immediate family of North Macedonian citizens are exempt from proving financial means and health insurance under the 2025 amendments. Family members may obtain a work permit through the Employment Service Agency.

• Work: Family members may obtain a work permit through the Employment Service Agency.
• Study: Education permitted under lawful residence.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Covers spouse, minor children, dependent ascending relatives and, in the child's best interest, the parents of a minor.

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence is granted to foreign researchers carrying out scientific research in North Macedonia, including those engaged in specialization, professional development or practical training, under the Law on Foreigners. It is generally issued for up to one year and renewable, with the Type D long-stay visa issued after the Ministry of Interior decision (D-visa fee EUR 70). Applicants provide a hosting agreement or invitation from a research institution, proof of subsistence and accommodation, and health insurance. Continuous lawful residence on this basis counts toward the five years required for permanent residence.

• Work: Permits the research activity for which residence is granted.
• Study: Lawful residence permits associated study and training.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence on humanitarian grounds is granted under the Law on Foreigners to foreign nationals who cannot leave North Macedonia for humanitarian reasons, including victims of trafficking cooperating with authorities, persons whose removal would be contrary to the principle of non-refoulement, unaccompanied minors, and others in comparable circumstances. It is generally issued for up to one year and renewable while the grounds persist. Holders of humanitarian residence may obtain a work permit through the Employment Service Agency. This product is distinct from international protection (asylum/subsidiary protection), which follows the separate asylum procedure. There is no income test for humanitarian residence.

• Work: May obtain a work permit through the Employment Service Agency.
• Study: Education permitted under lawful residence.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

€70

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

Permanent residence is granted to a foreigner who has continuously resided in North Macedonia on the basis of temporary residence for at least five years immediately before applying. Applicants must show stable and regular means of living without recourse to social assistance, no criminal offence punishable by at least one year's imprisonment in the previous five years, no threat to public order, health, national security or international relations, and knowledge of the Macedonian language sufficient to communicate. The five-year requirement may be reduced for investors and highly skilled workers, and persons under international protection qualify after five years of continuous residence in that status. Permanent residence grants indefinite stay with broad access to the labour market and is the gateway to later naturalisation.

• Work: Broad labour-market access without a separate work permit in most cases.
• Study: Education on equal terms.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; naturalisation may follow under the Law on Citizenship.

Processing time

90 days