Laws and regulations
 

A permit for work is a document based on which the domestic or foreign employer concludes a contract on employment or work, or does other business with a foreigner in accordance with the Law on Employment and Work of Foreigners, Official Gazette of RM 70/07; 05/09  and 35/10.

Quotas

Employment of foreigners in the Republic of Macedonia is done within the quotas determined by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs/Agency for Employment on the basis of the labour market conditions.

Only in specific cases, as described in theGuideline for Visas and Working Permits, employment permits could be issued regardless of labour market conditions (for employment of athletes, artists, scientists, etc.)

Work permits

There are three types of work permits:

− Personal work permit
− Employment permit
− Work permit

A work permit is issued in accordance with different time limits established according to the purpose for which it was issued. A foreigner can be issued only one type of permit to work for a specified period.

Personal work permit

Any foreigner who intends to establish or co-establish a private company, as well as any foreigner who intends to conduct a single-owned business or is a self-employed person, is required to obtain a personal work permit.  The personal work permit is issued within 60 days provided that the documentation is complete. Personal work permit is valid for a period of one year.

Employment permit

The employment permit is a type of permit issued for the purpose of permanent employment of a foreigner in the country, when a job position could not be fulfilled on the domestic labour market. The employment permit is issued within the quota for employment of foreigners. The permit for the first employment is issued for a period of six months with the possibility to be extended for a total period of one year, with no additional verifications. The personal work permit is issued within 50 days provided that the documentation is complete.

Work permit

A work permit is a type of permit to work, valid for a predetermined limited period of time, based on which the foreigner can have a temporary job in the Republic of Macedonia in accordance with the purpose of such a permit. The purpose of work permits could be:

1. Work of posted foreign workers
2. Training and upgrading of foreigners
3. Seasonal work of foreigners
4. Work of foreign representatives
5. Individual services of foreigners

In case of non-seasonal jobs, in accordance with the Law on Employment and Work of Foreigners, the work permit is issued for the period indicated in the application made by the employer, and the working period depends on the type of work permit.
The work permit is issued within 45 days provided the documentation is complete.

Working permits issuance
 

Personal work permit

The application for a personal work permit is submitted at the diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Macedonia on Form Nr. RD-1/3. The application should contain data, documents, and evidence of the type of activity to be performed by the foreigner, the place and period of activity, qualifications, including a business plan for the self-employment activity with evidence of investment and economic benefits for the state, the number of new posts, as well as funds available to conduct the activity.

Employment permit

The precondition for employment permit is a positive response by Macedonian Employment Agency on the request for employment of a foreign worker submitted by the employer. After approval of the request by the Agency, the employer could start the procedure for recruitment of a foreigner to fill the job position. Upon selection, completion, and signing of the contract on employment, the Employment Agency issues a certified copy of the application for an employment permit.

The employer is to deliver a copy of the certified application submitted at the Employment Agency to the foreigner under contract, upon which, the foreigner can start the relevant procedure with the diplomatic or consular mission in his own country or country of residence. The application for an employment permit is submitted by the recruited foreigner at the diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Macedonia on Form Nr. RD-2/1. The documentation submitted by the foreigner includes the certified application for an employment permit by the employer, as an evidence for the decision of the employer to hire the applicant.

The person responsible for reporting the start and completion of employment of foreigners is the employer who enters such employment relations. The employer reports to the Employment Agency.

Work permit

The procedure for issuance of work permit starts upon selection, completion, and signing of the work contract between the employer and the foreigner. Based on the work contract, the Employment Agency issues the employer a certified copy of the application for work permit.
The employer is to deliver a copy of the certified application submitted at the Employment Agency to the foreigner under contract, upon which, the foreigner can start the relevant procedure with the diplomatic or consular mission in his own country or country of residence. The application for an employment permit is submitted by the recruited foreigner at the diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Macedonia on Form Nr. RD-3/1 RD-3/9, depending on the purpose of the permit. The documentation submitted by the foreigner includes the certified application for an employment permit by the employer, as an evidence for the decision of the employer to hire the applicant.

Documents
 

Visa Regime of the Republic of Macedonia
A Guideline for Visas and Working Permits

Documents available only in Macedonian language:

Закон за странци на Република Македонија
Закон за вработување и работа на странци
Закон за вработување и работа на странци – измени 1
Закон за вработување и работа на странци – измени 2

Contact
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia
Dame Gruev 6
1000 Skopje
phone: +389 23 115 266
fax: +389 23 115 790
e-mail:vizencentar@mfa.gov.mk
web: www.mfa.gov.mk