For a foreign employee sent to North Macedonia by an overseas employer to perform a qualifying work assignment.
Southeast Europe · Immigration
North Macedonia
North Macedonia sits in Southeast Europe. Its immigration system runs 20 distinct routes — led by work, family and study, each set out in official law. 18 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 20across 14 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 18 of 20cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Work3 of the 20 routes — see them under Work below
- Region
- Southeast Europe
- Capital
- Skopje
- Population
- 1,820,909
- Official language
- Macedonian
- Currency
- MKD
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
Source-cited pathways
Immigration routes
All 20 routes, grouped by purpose — 18 of 20 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
3 routes
For a foreign national undertaking qualifying seasonal employment in North Macedonia.
For a foreign national employed by an employer in North Macedonia after the Employment Service confirms eligibility.
Investment
1 route
For a foreign resident of an EU or OECD member state who acquires qualifying residential property in North Macedonia worth at least €40,000.
Official government source: mfa.gov.mk · checked 2026-07-26
Talent & merit
1 route
For a foreign national seeking temporary residence in North Macedonia for scientific research.
Study
2 routes
For a foreign national seeking temporary residence in North Macedonia for specialisation, vocational training or practical training.
For a foreign national seeking temporary residence in North Macedonia for schooling or study.
Family
3 routes
For a foreign national who is a close family member of a citizen of North Macedonia.
Can bring: spouse, children, parents
For a qualifying family member joining a foreign sponsor lawfully resident in North Macedonia.
Can bring: spouse, children, parents
For a child of a foreign national who was born in North Macedonia.
Can bring: children
Residence-based status
1 route
Permanent ResidenceUnknown
For a foreign national or person under international protection with five years of qualifying continuous residence in North Macedonia and the required integration and self-support conditions.
Legal text via official repository: refworld.org · checked 2026-07-26
Youth mobility
1 route
For a foreign national seeking temporary residence in North Macedonia for participation in an international pupil or student exchange programme.
Cultural, religious & volunteer
1 route
For a foreign national seeking temporary residence in North Macedonia for volunteering.
Short stay & visit
1 route
For a visa-required foreign national visiting North Macedonia for up to 90 days.
Humanitarian protection
2 routes
International ProtectionUnknown
For a foreign or stateless person seeking refugee status or subsidiary protection in North Macedonia.
Legal text via official repository: refworld.org · checked 2026-07-26
For a foreign national whose circumstances satisfy a humanitarian ground for temporary residence.
Ancestry & return
1 route
For a foreign national who is of origin from North Macedonia.
Medical treatment
1 route
For a foreign national seeking temporary residence in North Macedonia for medical treatment.
Transit
1 route
For a visa-required traveller passing through the international transit zone of an airport in North Macedonia.
Other & special
1 route
For a foreign national seeking temporary residence in North Macedonia for accommodation or care in a nursing home.
Official sources
- MFA Visa TypesGovernment
- ПочетнаGovernment
- [NSO] State Statistical OfficeGovernment
See which North Macedonia routes you actually qualify for.
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