North Macedonia · Work
North Macedonia Researcher permit
First stay: 1 yr
Temporary residence for scientific research (Law on Foreigners Arts. 99-102)
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Researcher permit is a work route for North Macedonia. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Processing
- 30 working days
- First stay
- 1 yr
Time and long term
RenewalRenewable
Granted for up to one year and extendable while the research continues.
Permanent residenceTime here doesn't count
Permanent residence is not granted on this type of temporary stay.
Processing30 working days
The Ministry decides within 30 working days if the application is filed with it in North Macedonia, or 60 working days if filed through an embassy or consulate; this can be extended by up to 30 working days.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
File with the Ministry of Interior in North Macedonia, or through a North Macedonian diplomatic or consular mission abroad together with the D visa application.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Time on this route doesn't count toward permanent residence
- Needs a job offer from an employer in North Macedonia
What you'll need
Who can apply2
- Applicant has a contract with a research body registered with the Ministry of Education and Science.
- The research body takes financial responsibility for stay, health insurance and return costs.
What you must show1
- The researcher has enough means of support for the stay and for the return journey.
Documents3
- Contract naming the research, its dates, the duty to finish it and the body's duty to provide conditions.
- Proof that the research project is financed and a certified copy of a first, second or third-cycle degree.
- The researcher has health insurance in North Macedonia.
Steps1
- Apply with the Ministry of Interior, or at a mission abroad together with the long-stay visa (D) application.
After you arrive1
- The permit is granted for up to one year and extended while the conditions continue; the researcher leaves when the project ends.
What happens at day 183
How North Macedonia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 1 year at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in any 12-month periodStaying 183 or more days continuously or with breaks in any 12-month period makes a person resident for personal income tax.
- Foreign-source income
Residents of North Macedonia pay a flat 10% personal income tax on income earned in the country and abroad; for salary the tax base is gross pay minus the 28% employee contributions and a tax reduction of MKD 10,932 (≈ $200) a month (MKD 131,184 (≈ $2,400) a year in 2026).
All tax rules for North Macedonia Tax records checked
Full official text
Residence for researchers with a contract with a registered research body, valid up to one year and extendable. 1
Requirements
- Applicant has a contract with a research body registered with the Ministry of Education and Science. 1
- The research body takes financial responsibility for stay, health insurance and return costs. 1
- The researcher has enough means of support for the stay and for the return journey. 1
- Contract naming the research, its dates, the duty to finish it and the body's duty to provide conditions. 1
- Proof that the research project is financed and a certified copy of a first, second or third-cycle degree. 1
- The researcher has health insurance in North Macedonia. 1
- Apply with the Ministry of Interior, or at a mission abroad together with the long-stay visa (D) application. 1
- The permit is granted for up to one year and extended while the conditions continue; the researcher leaves when the project ends. 1
Stay
- Permit granted for up to one year and extendable while the research continues.
- First stay: up to 12 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Open to foreigners generally.
Work
Research under the contract; may teach up to eight hours a week.
Family
The spouse and minor children can apply for family reunification (Art. 107).
Official sources
- Law on Foreigners, editorial consolidated text (Official Gazette 97/18, 108/19, 294/21, 284/23) · Official Gazette of North Macedonia (editorial consolidated texts), via the Ministry of Digital Transformation portal · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2023
Researcher permit and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Researcher permit | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| Work permit | – | 1 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Posted worker permit | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Seasonal work permit | – | 9 mo | – |
| Strategic project worker | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How long can I stay on the Researcher permit?
Permit granted for up to one year and extendable while the research continues.
How long does the Researcher permit take to process?
The Ministry decides within 30 working days if the application is filed with it in North Macedonia, or 60 working days if filed through an embassy or consulate; this can be extended by up to 30 working days.
Can I work on the Researcher permit?
Research under the contract; may teach up to eight hours a week.
Can I bring my family on the Researcher permit?
The spouse and minor children can apply for family reunification (Art.
Does the Researcher permit lead to permanent residence in North Macedonia?
Time on the Researcher permit doesn't count toward permanent residence in North Macedonia.
How are Researcher permit holders taxed in North Macedonia?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Researcher permit. The standard rules apply: Residents of North Macedonia pay a flat 10% personal income tax on income earned in the country and abroad; for salary the tax base is gross pay minus the 28% employee contributions and a tax reduction of MKD 10,932 (≈ $200) a month (MKD 131,184 (≈ $2,400) a year in 2026). Non-residents pay on income earned in North Macedonia.
More in North Macedonia
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 1 official source. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Law on Foreigners, editorial consolidated text (Official Gazette 97/18, 108/19, 294/21, 284/23) · Official Gazette of North Macedonia (editorial consolidated texts), via the Ministry of Digital Transformation portal · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.