How to Get a Work Permit in North Macedonia?

There are three main permit types for foreign workers in North Macedonia. The employer-sponsored individual work permit applies to direct employment at a North Macedonian company. The seasonal work permit is issued for up to 6 months in sectors such as agriculture and tourism. The personal work permit is for foreigners running their own business or working independently; it starts at 1 year and can be extended based on business scope.

Turkish citizens can enter North Macedonia visa-free for 90 days; however, a separate work permit is mandatory even within this period. The visa-free entry right does not in itself grant the right to work.

In the standard process, the employer first applies to the Employment Agency (Агенција за вработување) to confirm the position cannot be filled by a Macedonian citizen; the agency issues an opinion within approximately 15 days. A work visa approval is then obtained from the Ministry of Interior, and a residence permit is issued in the final stage. The total process takes approximately 45 days.

Documents generally required include a valid passport and photo, an employment contract specifying job title, duties and salary, proof of accommodation, health insurance, a police clearance certificate from the home country, and diploma/qualification documents. All documents must be notarised and translated. The fee is approximately 75–150 EUR depending on the permit type.

North Macedonia applies an annual quota for foreign workers, capped at approximately 5% of the employed population. For this reason, applications should be planned as early as possible. Positions in strategic projects may be exempt from the quota, and Employment Agency approval may not be required for such roles.

The validity period is 6 months on first issue, extending to 1 year on renewal. Document requirements may change, so conditions should be confirmed before applying. Contact us to handle document preparation and coordination in Turkish before and during the application process.