How to Enter North Macedonia

Do I need a passport or visa to enter?

You need a valid U.S. passport for travel to Macedonia. You don’t need a visa for tourist or business trips totaling less than 90 days during a six-month period. Macedonia requires that all foreign citizens provide proof of health insurance when entering the country. Entry stamps are issued at airports or land border crossing points; these stamps let you stay for 90 days.

All foreign citizens must register with local police within 24 hours of arrival. If you are staying in private accommodations or renting an apartment, you should register in person at the police station nearest your place of residence, and you should be accompanied to the station by the owner or landlord of the apartment. Hotels are responsible for the registration of foreign guests, so you do not need to personally register with local police if you are staying in a hotel. If you change addresses in Macedonia, notify the police station where you initially registered and re-register with the police station closest to your new residence. Unaccompanied U.S. citizen minors who enter Macedonia should have a notarized statement of consent from a parent or guardian to enter and stay in the country. The statement of consent must be certified by a competent authority of the country from which s/he arrives or by an embassy or consulate of the Republic of Macedonia.

The Law on Foreigners stipulates that a foreigner is obliged to present identification to prove his/her identity when asked by an authorized official. However, the foreigner does not need to have the original passport with him/her at all times while in Macedonia. A copy of the passport or any other photo ID will satisfy the requirement for identification. U.S. citizens who hold residence permits in Macedonia should have their residence permit with them at all times.

NOTE: A U.S. citizen who possesses more than one passport is required to leave Macedonia with the same passport he or she used to enter the country.

Dual citizens of the United States and Macedonia who have stayed outside Macedonia for more than three months should either report to the Macedonian Embassy or Consulate nearest to their location prior to returning to Macedonia or report to the nearest police station after entering Macedonia. Failure to report their stay abroad may delay their departure from Macedonia.

If you are a U.S. citizen born in the Republic of Macedonia, please note that Greek Immigration Officers at all ports of entry (land, air and sea) will not place entry stamps in passports listing the traveler’s place of birth as Macedonia or the Republic of Macedonia. These travelers are required to complete a short form on which the entry stamp will be placed and which the traveler must keep with their passport for the duration of their stay in Greece and present on departure.

If you plan to work, study, or remain longer than 90 days in Macedonia you must obtain an entry visa prior to coming to Macedonia. You cannot adjust from tourist status to long-term status from within Macedonia. Those who wish to adjust status must leave Macedonia and apply for a long-term visa at a Macedonian embassy or consulate.

Apply at the Macedonian Embassy in Washington D.C., located at 2129 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel.: (202) 667-0501; fax: (202) 667-2131; email: Washington@mfa.gov.mk. You can also visit the Embassy of Macedonia website for the most current visa information.

For additional information about the conditions and procedures for visa issuance, you may visit the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for a list of Macedonian Embassies and Consulates. In addition to the Embassy of Macedonia in Washington, U.S. citizens may also contact the Consulates General of Macedonia in New York, Detroit, or Chicago. Contact information is located on the Consular Affairs page within the Embassy of Macedonia website. You should know that all border areas apart from designated border crossings are restricted zones. Presence in these zones is forbidden without prior official permission.

Macedonian customs authorities enforce strict regulations that require special licenses or permits for the exportation from Macedonia of items deemed to be of historical value or significance, such as old coins, archeological artifacts, ancient pottery, artwork, and other items. Taking such items out of Macedonia without the appropriate government-issued permit can result in arrest, monetary fines and prison sentences, if convicted.

Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in problems with authorities. Visitors should always observe "no photography" signs. If you are in doubt, please ask for permission from local authorities before taking photographs.

The local currency is the denar. While credit cards are accepted in larger stores and restaurants, we recommend having cash in local currency for purchases in small establishments.

Tourist facilities are available in the capital, Skopje, and other major towns. In tourist centers, such as Skopje and Ohrid, European-standard hotels and other travel amenities are available. The standard of tourist facilities throughout the rest of the country varies considerably.

If you are entering or exiting Macedonia by air or land with more than 10,000 Euros in cash, you must declare all currency upon entry or exit at the Macedonian Customs Office and present bank or other financial documentation showing the origin of the money. Customs officials will issue you a completed declaration form at the port of entry or exit. If you do not report this money, the Macedonian customs service may confiscate it and send you to court. Penalties typically include a fine and a requirement that violators pay a percentage of the undeclared amount to the Macedonian National Bank.

You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.