--- title: "North Macedonia Strategic project worker requirements 2026" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/strategic-project/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- North Macedonia · Work # North Macedonia Strategic project worker **First stay:** 1 yr Temporary residence for workers on strategic projects (Law on Foreigners Art. 83-a) First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 1 yr (Permit issued for up to one year and extendable for the period of the project.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport (Open to foreigners generally.) - **Family:** Family can join (Family members can apply for family reunification once the holder has residence.) ## Key facts Strategic project worker 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 **Renewal: Renewable** Issued for up to one year and extendable for the period of the project. [Official Gazette of North Macedonia No. 193/2025](https://www.mchamber.mk/Upload/Documents/%D0%97%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%20%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5%20%D0%B8%20%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5%20%D0%BD%D0%B0%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%82%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%20%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B8.pdf) **Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence** Permanent residence is granted after at least 5 years of uninterrupted approved temporary stay; the decision is due within 4 months, extendable by up to 3 months. [Official Gazette of North Macedonia (editorial consolidated texts), via the Ministry of Digital Transformation portal](https://portal.mdt.gov.mk/post-body-files/zakoni-mvr-file-UtsW.pdf) **Processing: 30 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. [Official Gazette of North Macedonia (editorial consolidated texts), via the Ministry of Digital Transformation portal](https://portal.mdt.gov.mk/post-body-files/zakoni-mvr-file-UtsW.pdf) **Where to apply: Abroad 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. [Official Gazette of North Macedonia (editorial consolidated texts), via the Ministry of Digital Transformation portal](https://portal.mdt.gov.mk/post-body-files/zakoni-mvr-file-UtsW.pdf) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Needs a job offer from an employer in North Macedonia ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - Applicant works on a strategic project defined by a special law, for a company with strategic-partner status. - The Ministry of Economy and Labour issues a certificate that the employer has strategic-partner status. - Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 72, including accommodation and a clean criminal record. #### Documents - Work contract with the strategic-partner company and an explanation of why the foreign worker is needed for the post. #### Steps 1. The application is filed with the Ministry of Interior; the quota and the Employment Agency opinion do not apply. #### After you arrive - Extensions are filed with the Ministry of Interior with the strategic-partner certificate and proof of social insurance, and can run for the project period. ## 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 period** Staying 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 ## What you need to arrange - **Accommodation** Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 72, including accommodation and a clean criminal record - **Police certificate and civil documents** Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 72, including accommodation and a clean criminal record Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts. **Full official text** Residence for foreigners working for a company with strategic-partner status on a project set by a special law, granted without the quota and without an Employment Agency opinion. (source 1) #### Requirements - Applicant works on a strategic project defined by a special law, for a company with strategic-partner status. (source 1) - The Ministry of Economy and Labour issues a certificate that the employer has strategic-partner status. (source 1) - Applicant meets the general conditions of Art. 72, including accommodation and a clean criminal record. (source 1) - Work contract with the strategic-partner company and an explanation of why the foreign worker is needed for the post. (source 1) - The application is filed with the Ministry of Interior; the quota and the Employment Agency opinion do not apply. (source 1) - Extensions are filed with the Ministry of Interior with the strategic-partner certificate and proof of social insurance, and can run for the project period. (source 1) #### Stay - Permit issued for up to one year and extendable for the period of the project. - 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 Work for the strategic-partner company in the post for which the permit was issued. #### Family Family members can apply for family reunification once the holder has residence. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Law amending the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette 193/2025)](https://www.mchamber.mk/Upload/Documents/%D0%97%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%20%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5%20%D0%B8%20%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5%20%D0%BD%D0%B0%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%82%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%20%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B8.pdf) · Official Gazette of North Macedonia No. 193/2025 · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2025-09-18 2. [Law on Foreigners, editorial consolidated text (Official Gazette 97/18, 108/19, 294/21, 284/23)](https://portal.mdt.gov.mk/post-body-files/zakoni-mvr-file-UtsW.pdf) · Official Gazette of North Macedonia (editorial consolidated texts), via the Ministry of Digital Transformation portal · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2023 ## Strategic project worker and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Strategic project worker | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [Work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/employment/) | – | 1 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Posted worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/posted-worker/) | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/researcher/) | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [Seasonal work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/seasonal-work/) | – | 9 mo | – | ## Questions people ask ### How long can I stay on the Strategic project worker? Permit issued for up to one year and extendable for the period of the project. ### How long does the Strategic project worker 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 Strategic project worker? Work for the strategic-partner company in the post for which the permit was issued. ### Can I bring my family on the Strategic project worker? Family members can apply for family reunification once the holder has residence. ### Does the Strategic project worker lead to permanent residence in North Macedonia? Time on the Strategic project worker counts toward permanent residence in North Macedonia, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. ### How are Strategic project worker holders taxed in North Macedonia? No special regime in our records is tied to the Strategic project worker. 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 [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/self-employment/) [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/student/) [Macedonian origin residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/north-macedonia/origin/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇵🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [🇪🇸 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇪 IT sector permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/it-residence-permit/) [🇮🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇩🇪 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 2 official sources.** 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. 1. [Law amending the Law on Foreigners (Official Gazette 193/2025)](https://www.mchamber.mk/Upload/Documents/%D0%97%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%20%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5%20%D0%B8%20%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%9A%D0%B5%20%D0%BD%D0%B0%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%82%20%D0%B7%D0%B0%20%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B8.pdf) · Official Gazette of North Macedonia No. 193/2025 · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Law on Foreigners, editorial consolidated text (Official Gazette 97/18, 108/19, 294/21, 284/23)](https://portal.mdt.gov.mk/post-body-files/zakoni-mvr-file-UtsW.pdf) · 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](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.