On 7 October 2026, the Government of North Macedonia raised the annual quota of work permits for foreign nationals by an additional 3,000, lifting the 2026 limit from 10,000 to 13,000 permits. The driver is well known: the economy has faced a serious labour shortage for some time, and the initial quota was nearly exhausted before year-end. For employers, domestic and foreign-owned alike, who employ or plan to employ foreign nationals, this is the most important labour market news of the autumn. But a free slot in the quota is only the first condition: the procedure has its own steps, reaction windows and typical mistakes that cost months of delay.
What is the quota for 2026 and what does the increase mean?
The quota is a statutory ceiling on how many foreign nationals may receive a work permit in a calendar year, set by a separate Government decision. For 2026, the initial quota of 10,000 permits entered into force on 16 January: around 4,500 were earmarked for new employment, while the larger share, around 5,250, was reserved for renewing permits already issued to foreigners previously working in the country. The 7 October decision increases the quota by 3,000, to a total of 13,000. In practice, this means employers whose requests fell outside the initial limit can file again, but only while slots remain: once the quota is exhausted, new requests wait for the next Government decision.
What does the procedure for employing a foreigner look like, step by step?
The procedure runs through two institutions: the Employment Agency handles the labour law aspect, while the Ministry of Interior handles the residence question. In most cases the sequence is:
- the employer files a request with the Employment Agency to hire a specific foreign national for a specific position;
- the Agency carries out a labour market check and assesses whether the statutory conditions are met, including the available quota;
- upon a positive outcome, a work permit is issued, tied to that employer and that position;
- the foreigner then regulates temporary residence on employment grounds with the Ministry of Interior, with a separate set of documents;
- only after that is the employment contract signed and the employee registered for social insurance.
The two tracks are coordinated in parallel, so the documentation should be prepared consistently in advance: the same data on the position, agreed terms and employer across all filings.
| Work permit | Temporary residence on employment grounds | |
|---|---|---|
| Competent authority | Employment Agency | Ministry of Interior |
| What is assessed | Labour market, quota, conditions of the position | Identity, security checks, insurance, accommodation |
| Tied to | A specific employer and position | The ground of residence (the employment) |
| Change of employer | A new permit is generally required | The ground of residence must be re-regulated |
What does the Employment Agency check before issuing a permit?
The key filter is the labour market test: the Agency checks whether its register of unemployed persons contains a candidate with a suitable profile who could fill the position. If such a person exists and is willing to take the job, the request may be refused. The Agency also verifies whether the employer meets its statutory obligations, whether the position is genuine and whether the request fits within the quota. For certain categories, such as employment within foreign investments, key experts or intra-company transfers, the law provides facilitations and exemptions from the test, so it is worth checking whether the specific case falls under them before filing.
Which mistakes most often delay or block the procedure?
Practical experience shows that problems almost always fall into a few recurring patterns:
- the foreigner starts working before the permit is issued, which is a misdemeanour carrying heavy fines for the employer and risks for future applications;
- incomplete or inconsistent documentation: discrepancies between the request, the contract and the supporting documents trigger invitations to supplement and cost weeks;
- changing the employer or the position without a new permit, even though the permit is valid only for the specific relationship for which it was issued;
- filing the renewal request late, after which the foreigner effectively re-enters the procedure as a new hire and depends on the remaining quota;
- filing when the quota for new employment is already exhausted, without checking its status first.
The increase of the quota to 13,000 opens space precisely for those left without a slot over the summer. Experience from previous years, however, shows that additional slots fill quickly, so document preparation should start immediately, not when the candidate is already at the airport.
Employing or planning to employ foreign nationals?
The outcome of the procedure depends on correct timing, consistent documentation and whether the specific case benefits from a labour market test exemption.
We provide eligibility assessments, preparation of the requests and representation before the Employment Agency and the Ministry of Interior until the permit is issued.
Book a consultationRelated service: Work and Residence Permits
Source: Government opens the door to 10,000 foreign workers, Deutsche Welle, 16 January 2026; State allows entry for 3,000 more foreign workers, Faktor, 7 October 2026.
This text provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice for a specific case. For advice tailored to your situation, please consult an attorney.