Temporary Residence in North Macedonia

• Temporary residence in the Republic of North Macedonia is granted to a foreigner if they meet the following conditions:

  1. Has means of subsistence, or their maintenance is provided for in another lawful manner,
  2. Has secured accommodation or has means for accommodation,
  3. Has health insurance,
  4. Meets the conditions prescribed for specific types of temporary residence,
  5. Does not pose a threat to public order, national security, public health, or international relations of the Republic of North Macedonia,
  6. Has proof of not being convicted in the country of citizenship or the country of residence to an unconditional prison sentence lasting more than 6 (six) months for a criminal offense prosecuted ex officio and – there are no ongoing criminal proceedings against them.

  Note: A foreigner who has reached the age of 18 and intends to reside in the Republic of North Macedonia without the accompaniment of parents or guardians must also submit a certified authorization from the parents or guardians for residence in the Republic of North Macedonia, in addition to these conditions.

  Conditions for temporary residence for education, learning, or language learning:

  Documents to be submitted:

  1. Certificate of enrollment as a regular student in an approved curriculum of primary or secondary education at a school accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science, with the duration of planned education determined;
  2. Certificate of enrollment as a regular student in an approved study program at a higher education institution registered in the Register of higher education institutions maintained by the Ministry of Education and Science, with the duration of planned study determined; and
  3. Approval of the parents or legal guardians for residence in the Republic of North Macedonia, if the foreigner is a minor.

  Conditions for temporary residence for participation in international student exchange programs:

  Documents to be submitted:

  1. Certificate from the state authority, higher education institution registered in the Register of higher education institutions of the Ministry of Education and Science, or institution responsible for executing ratified international agreements for the international exchange of students.

  Conditions for temporary residence for specialization, professional training, or practical training:

  Documents to be submitted:

  1. Certificate from the appropriate legal entity or competent authority in the Republic of North Macedonia confirming approval for specialization, professional training, or practical training.

First step: Submission of application

The application for approval of temporary residence in the Republic of North Macedonia, as a supporting document along with the application for issuance of a visa for long-term residence regulation (Visa D), can be submitted by the foreigner to the diplomatic-consular representation of the Republic of North Macedonia or through the diplomatic or consular representation of the country with which the Republic of North Macedonia has signed a consular representation agreement in third countries, through external service providers or commercial intermediaries, or directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the applicant for approval of temporary residence must personally attend an interview at the request of the competent authority. The application must specify the purpose and circumstances of the planned stay in the Republic of North Macedonia, which must not change during the procedure. Along with the application for approval of temporary residence, the foreigner is required to provide a valid travel document and its certified copy, valid for at least 90 days longer than the period envisaged for approval of temporary residence in the Republic of North Macedonia, and evidence that the above-mentioned conditions are met.

Second step: Decision on the application

The Ministry of Internal Affairs decides by decision on the foreigner’s application for approval of temporary residence in the Republic of North Macedonia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs issues a decision on the submitted application for approval of temporary residence within 30 working days from the date of receipt of the application – if the application is submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or 60 working days – if the application is submitted to the diplomatic-consular representation of the Republic of North Macedonia or through the diplomatic-consular representation of the country with which the Republic of North Macedonia has signed an agreement on consular representation in third countries.

A foreigner who has submitted an application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for approval of temporary residence for humanitarian reasons may stay in the Republic of North Macedonia until a final decision is made, upon his request, for which the Ministry of Internal Affairs issues a special certificate.

If the application for approval of temporary residence in the Republic of North Macedonia is rejected by the decision of the member, the reasons for rejecting the application are stated in the decision. The decision  is entered into the N-VIS system, and the diplomatic-consular representation delivers a printed copy of the scanned decision to which the foreigner has submitted it. Against the decision, the foreigner has the right to appeal within eight days from the date of receipt of the decision to the State Commission for Decision-Making in Administrative and Employment Procedures in the second instance. The appeal does not postpone the execution of the decision, except when the decision is made after the application for approval of temporary residence for humanitarian reasons has been submitted. The decision of the State Commission for Decision-Making in Administrative and Employment Procedures in the second instance shall be made within 30 days from the date of submission of the appeal. An administrative dispute may be initiated against the decision of the State Commission for Decision-Making in Administrative and Employment Procedures in the second instance before the competent court.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs issues a permit for temporary residence to the foreigner to whom a decision on approval of temporary residence has been issued.

Temporary residence is extended for the time necessary to fulfill the purpose of residence but not exceeding one year. Upon the foreigner’s request, submitted no earlier than 30 days before the expiration of temporary residence or no later than 15 days after the expiration of temporary residence, if the conditions are met, temporary residence is extended, with each extension not exceeding one year. Temporary residence will not be extended if it is determined that the foreigner has not resided in the Republic of North Macedonia for more than one-quarter of the time for which temporary residence is permitted. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will make a decision within 30 working days from the date of receipt of the application. The foreigner has the right to appeal against the decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the extension of temporary residence within eight days from the date of receipt of the decision to the State Commission for Decision-Making in Administrative and Employment Procedures in the second instance. The decision of the State Commission for Decision-Making in Administrative and Employment Procedures shall be made within 30 days from the date of submission of the appeal. An administrative dispute may be initiated against the decision of the State Commission for Decision-Making in Administrative and Employment Procedures in the second instance before the competent court.