North Macedonia internship visa and residence for training

Article 96 of the Law on Foreigners allows temporary residence for specialisation, professional development or practical training. It covers two groups: foreigners who have completed higher education and come to develop professionally as trainees, and foreigners studying in another country who must complete practical training as part of their degree. In both cases a legal entity or competent authority in North Macedonia has to confirm that it has approved the specialisation, professional development or training, and has to provide a programme, verified under the law, that sets out how long it lasts.

Graduates show the level of education and qualification they obtained in the two years before the request. Students abroad show the obligation to complete practical training in order to obtain their degree, typically with a document from their university.

The file contains the confirmation of the host organisation and the verified programme, the proof of education or of the practical training obligation, a passport valid at least three months beyond the planned departure and issued within the last ten years, a health insurance policy, proof of accommodation such as a notarised lease, proof of means for the stay, a photo of 3 x 3.5 cm and the request form. As with other grounds, the Ministry of Internal Affairs checks entry bans and security issues itself.

Unlike employment or study, this request cannot be filed inside North Macedonia: it is submitted only at a North Macedonian diplomatic or consular mission. Applicants therefore file before travelling, whatever their entry rules for a visit. The Ministry of Internal Affairs decides within 60 working days of receipt at the mission, with a possible extension of 30 working days; applicants who need a visa then receive the visa D. The standard first-permit fees are MKD 50, MKD 1,230, MKD 930 and MKD 4,000.

The permit is issued for one year and can be extended. When the period set in the programme ends, the foreigner must leave North Macedonia. Time spent on this ground does not lead to permanent residence, although half of it is counted if the person later holds residence on a ground that qualifies.