In 2025, a total of 6,128 foreign workers received temporary residence permits to work in North Macedonia. This is more than three times the number from five years ago, when 1,704 people were granted work permits, according to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) shared with Radio Free Europe (RFE).
The highest demand for foreign employees has been in construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and wholesale and retail trade, based on opinions issued by the Employment Agency since 2020.
Workers from Turkey have historically dominated, but increasing numbers are now arriving from Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. Other countries whose citizens received work-related residence permits include China and the Philippines.
In total, the Employment Agency issued 8,509 positive opinions for work permits in 2025, including 798 personal permits for directors, managers, and similar positions. These opinions are part of the documents the MIA collects when deciding whether to approve a residence permit. Compared to 2020, when only 3,227 opinions were issued, the numbers show a clear increase in demand for foreign workers.
Last year, Turkish citizens received the most positive opinions – 2,815 – followed by Bangladesh (1,567), Nepal (1,089), India (1,079), and Kosovo (406). Previously, neighboring countries such as Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo were more prominent in the quota system.
The presence of foreign workers is noticeable across the country, particularly in Skopje, where many can be seen on construction sites, in hotels, restaurants, and bars. According to Krste Blaževski from HOTAM, a non-profit trade association for hospitality businesses, this trend is natural as many local workers migrate to other European countries. The majority of permits are requested for Skopje, with smaller numbers issued annually for Bitola, Tetovo, Ohrid, and Kumanovo.
“These workers come from poorer countries to earn a living and support their families. While salaries in their home countries may be as low as $100 per month, they can earn $600–$800 here,” Blaževski told RFE.
Agencies Help Connect Workers and Employers
Workers from countries like Nepal and Bangladesh typically come through recruitment agencies. These agencies provide CVs, videos, and other information to help employers find suitable candidates. One such agency, “Balkan – Human Resources,” has been bringing foreign workers to North Macedonia for four years in cooperation with a Bangladeshi partner agency.
“Initially it was challenging to find the first workers and convince them there were jobs here. But after the first arrivals, trust was established, and now it’s much easier to recruit employees,” a representative said. Domestic employers’ interest remains strong and growing.
Learning Quickly and Filling Key Roles
Foreign workers are most sought after in gastronomy, manufacturing, and construction. Many incoming workers are skilled and adapt quickly to the workplace. In hotels and restaurants, they often take on back-of-house roles such as cleaning or kitchen work. Blaževski notes that workers generally learn the local language basics within six months and often communicate in English as well.
“Every country needs labor to operate smoothly. If positions are left unfilled, businesses may close, and revenues stop,” he emphasized.
Retention and Outflow Trends
While some foreign workers move on to other European countries, most remain in North Macedonia. In 2025, of the 6,128 permit holders, only 166 left the country, including 129 from Bangladesh, 34 from Nepal, and three from India.
By law, foreign worker quotas cannot exceed 5% of the total working-age population. In the third quarter of 2025, there were around 705,000 employed and almost 92,000 unemployed. The government set the foreign worker quota at 10,000 for 2025, up from 7,000 in 2023 and 3,250 in earlier years. Amendments to the Law on Foreigners now allow temporary permits outside the quota for workers on strategic projects, such as the construction of Corridors 8 and 10D by the US–Turkish consortium Bechtel and Enka.
Source: slobodnaevropa.org