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North Macedonia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
33,905
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
6,900
UK visas issued, 2025
4,038
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
5.4%
NationalityMKISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<MKNORTH<MACEDONIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MK4<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of North Macedonia need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 14 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from North Macedonia move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany22,514
  2. Italy2,496
  3. Slovenia1,925
  4. Switzerland1,888
  5. Austria1,726
  6. United States880
  7. Belgium435
  8. Sweden403
  9. Türkiye259
  10. Czechia232
  11. Netherlands204
  12. France195
  13. Denmark139
  14. Australia131
  15. Norway104

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

17k34k200020032006200920122015201820212023
17k34k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20009,624
20018,560
20027,984
20037,872
20047,422
20056,911
20066,787
20079,606
200810,128
200914,392
201017,870
201116,226
201220,707
201322,863
201424,069
201533,623
201623,699
201727,875
201829,235
201931,042
202020,716
202126,302
202233,815
202333,905
Share going to the top destination
66.4%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in North Macedonia who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Germany147,204
  2. Switzerland85,065
  3. Italy67,492
  4. Australia48,723
  5. Türkiye35,535
  6. Serbia34,921
  7. Austria31,837
  8. Slovenia21,691
  9. Sweden11,796
  10. Canada10,214
  11. Croatia9,014
  12. Bulgaria6,345

Living abroad by year

267k535k19901995200020052010201520202024
267k535k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990398,374
1995411,470
2000424,184
2005428,969
2010430,535
2015437,223
2020485,263
2024534,616
Living abroad, 2024
534,616
Change since 2000
+26.0%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
27.5%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of North Macedonia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B25,177
  2. J11,007
  3. C1/D126
  4. F189
  5. A270
  6. H2B53
  7. G247
  8. NATO246
  9. P335
  10. B134

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

3,7707,540201720182019202020212022202320242025
3,7707,54020172019202120232025
Data table
20174,826
20186,910
20196,091
20202,405
20211,041
20224,826
20237,540
20246,894
20256,900
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR5151
  2. DV76
  3. IR149
  4. CR138
  5. F327
  6. F426
  7. IR221
  8. EW19
Immigrant visas, FY2025
474
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
114
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in North Macedonia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of North Macedonia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

6301,2602015201620172018201920202021202220232024
6301,260201520172019202120232024
Data table
20151,060
20161,260
20171,030
20181,080
20191,080
2020590
2021750
2022980
2023920
2024880
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens630
  2. Family-sponsored preferences120
  3. Diversity visa lottery80
  4. Employment-based preferences40
  5. Refugees and asylees10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Intracompany transferees (L-1)100
  2. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)90
  3. Specialty occupations (H-1B)60
  4. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)50
  5. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)30
  6. Spouses and children30
  7. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)20
  8. Other temporary workers10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in North Macedonia)
880
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in North Macedonia)
910
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
12,270
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of North Macedonia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in North Macedonia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor3,611
  2. Work311
  3. Study55
  4. Other40
  5. Family21

Visas issued by year

2,4064,811201020122014201620182020202220242025
2,4064,811201020132016201920222025
Data table
20103,240
20113,443
20123,159
20133,476
20143,169
20153,175
20163,320
20173,557
20184,128
20194,383
20201,669
20211,825
20224,198
20234,811
20243,888
20254,038
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
60
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of North Macedonia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025102535350
2024105515600
2023256025600
2022106030350
2021045207510
20200150255
20190505900
20180800855
201751557010
2016010101405
20150552200
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of North Macedonia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

18352005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
18352005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0617
2006–0718
2007–0820
2008–0916
2009–108
2010–1110
2011–1215
2012–1317
2013–1425
2014–158
2015–1617
2016–1719
2017–1813
2018–1914
2019–2014
2020–219
2021–2221
2022–2321
2023–2422
2024–2535
2025–2629
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills21
  2. Medium-term4
  3. Short-term2
  4. Labour Agreement2
Granted, 2025–26
29
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of North Macedonia living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

31612012201420162018202220242025
31612012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201232
201334
201430
201533
201640
201739
201850
201948
202256
202361
202459
202557
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident13
  2. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services13
  3. Student12
  4. Spouse or Child of Japanese National10
  5. Dependent3
  6. Skilled Labor3
  7. Professor1
  8. Instructor1
  9. Long-Term Resident1
Residents, December 2025
57
In work-related statuses
18
Share in work-related statuses
31.6%
Students
12
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in North Macedonia

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in North Macedonia, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Bulgaria1,2311,071322.6%
Greece441396357.9%
Austria438403143.2%
Germany1791304826.8%
Italy15715700.0%
Czechia12211832.5%
Croatia4031820.0%
France272227.4%
Netherlands2320313.0%
Spain1715211.8%
Poland101000.0%
Sweden8800.0%
Hungary76114.3%
Slovakia7700.0%
Slovenia6700.0%

Applications by year

46k92k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
46k92k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200992,035
201011,723
20114,989
20126,497
20137,821
20149,687
20158,726
20168,743
201712,832
201813,999
201916,706
20203,342
20212,646
20229,074
20238,560
20242,719
Refusal rate, 2024
5.4%
Refusal rate, 2019
25.4%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of North Macedonia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Family13,845
  2. Work10,628
  3. Other reasons2,107
  4. Education1,017
First permits by country
  1. Germany14,082
  2. Croatia2,857
  3. Italy2,330
  4. Slovenia2,224
  5. Austria1,264
  6. Switzerland1,212
  7. Bulgaria536
  8. Belgium409
  9. Slovakia348
  10. Serbia263
  11. Sweden258
  12. Czechia213
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card99
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)168
  3. Researchers22
  4. Other paid activities10,339
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
315
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
9,268
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
3,445
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
2,985
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
341,737
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
11,602
Changed status into work, 2025
790
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
22
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
4,419
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of North Macedonia in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark202521615864705
Sweden2025164143129315
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025541
Austria20251,144738406
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark158
  2. Sweden14
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of North Macedonia living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Permanent residence title50,370
  2. Family reasons29,000
  3. Application for a residence title pending20,585
  4. Employment19,365
  5. EU free movement18,965
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted10,360
  7. International law, humanitarian or political reasons5,060
  8. Tolerated stay (Duldung)3,670
  9. Special residence rights and national visas2,940
  10. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure395
  11. Education and training385

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

81k161k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
81k161k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201483,854
201595,976
201695,570
201799,435
2018106,555
2019115,210
2020121,115
2021132,435
2022146,380
2023156,845
2024158,995
2025161,120
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
161,120
With a residence title for employment
19,365
Permanent residence title
50,370
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of North Macedonia, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

1,3452,6892016201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,3452,689201620182020202220242025
Data table
20162,040
20172,154
20182,235
20191,761
20201,026
20212,284
20222,492
20232,689
20242,040
20252,330
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family1,848
  2. Work248
  3. Other reasons109
  4. Study63
  5. Asylum and protection62
New permits, 2025
2,330
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
43,232
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
26,836
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in North Macedonia

Countries with an embassy or consulate in North Macedonia, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Albania1——
Austria1—1
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Bulgaria11—
China1——
Croatia1——
Czechia1——
France1—1
Germany1——
Greece1—1
Italy1—1
Japan1——
Kosovo1——
Montenegro1——
Netherlands1——
Poland1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Serbia1——
Slovakia1——
Slovenia1—1
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Türkiye1——
Ukraine1——
United Kingdom1——
Countries
27
Missions
33
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by North Macedonia, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

2454902000200320062009201220152018202120242025
245490200020052010201520202025
Data table
200081
200173
2002106
2003174
2004213
2005227
2006267
2007345
2008407
2009381
2010388
2011434
2012394
2013376
2014383
2015327
2016316
2017345
2018379
2019355
2020470
2021490
2022457
2023462
2024458
2025468
Remittances received, 2025
US$468 million
Share of GDP, 2025
2.4%
Average cost of sending US$200 to North Macedonia, 2023
2.1%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from North Macedonia

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • North Macedonia → Germany
  • North Macedonia → Italy
  • North Macedonia → Slovenia
  • North Macedonia → Switzerland
  • North Macedonia → Austria
  • North Macedonia → United States
  • North Macedonia → Bulgaria
  • North Macedonia → Croatia
  • North Macedonia → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more