UAE residents who hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, an EU or Schengen residence permit, or a valid UK, US or Canadian visa can enter North Macedonia without a visa for up to 15 days.
The rule comes from a temporary government decision valid from 1 January to 31 December 2026, so check it again for 2027 trips. Emiratis need no visa. Holders of only a UAE residence visa need a Macedonian visa.
Checked on 5 November 2026 against reporting of the North Macedonian government’s visa decisions (MIA news agency) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entry rules as summarised in public references. Here, your passport and the visas already in it decide what applies.
Which rule applies to you?
| You hold… | North Macedonia | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| An Emirati passport | No visa | Visa-free since May 2015 |
| A multiple-entry Schengen (type C) visa | 15 days visa-free | Valid on entry, multiple entry |
| A temporary or permanent EU or Schengen residence permit | 15 days visa-free | Valid permit |
| A UK, US or Canadian visa | 15 days visa-free | Affixed in your passport, multiple entry, and valid at least 5 days longer than your stay |
| A single-entry Schengen visa, or only UAE residence | Macedonian visa needed | Apply through a Macedonian mission |
The 5-day rule for UK, US and Canadian visas
Your UK, US or Canadian visa must still be valid 5 days after the day you plan to leave North Macedonia. If your US visa expires on 20 June, your last day in North Macedonia should be no later than 15 June.
The Macedonian-language text of the decision also says the visa must be multiple-entry and affixed in a passport. An eVisa or ETA with no sticker may not count. Check before you rely on a UK eVisa.
What to carry at the border
- Passport valid at least 90 days from your arrival date
- The qualifying visa or residence permit, in the passport you travel on, or the old passport too
- Accommodation booking for your stay, if you don’t live in North Macedonia
- Return or onward ticket, plus enough money for the trip
If you need a Macedonian visa
Visas are issued by North Macedonia’s diplomatic missions; there is no tourist e-visa. North Macedonia has an ambassador accredited to the UAE. Contact its embassy for the current application process, fee and appointment.
For many residents it is simpler to get a Schengen visa first. A multiple-entry Schengen visa then covers North Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo, each under its own conditions.
How to plan the trip: step by step
- Check your visas against the table: type, number of entries and expiry date.
- Keep the stay to 15 days or less. For UK, US or Canadian visas, leave at least 5 days before the visa expires.
- Confirm the rule still applies if you travel in 2027 or later, because the decision is renewed each year.
- Book accommodation and a return ticket.
- Plan the next border. Each Balkan country has its own rule.
North Macedonia is not in Schengen, so your days there don’t count towards the Schengen 90/180 limit. If you use your Schengen visa to reach North Macedonia, make sure it is multiple-entry so you can go back into Schengen.
Questions people ask
Can I visit North Macedonia with a UK visa?
Yes, for up to 15 days, if the UK visa is affixed in your passport, multiple entry, and valid at least 5 days after you leave.
Do Emiratis need a visa for North Macedonia?
No. UAE citizens have been visa-free since May 2015.
Can I stay longer than 15 days?
Not under the visa-free rule. For a longer stay, you need a Macedonian visa.
Is the 15-day rule permanent?
No. It is a temporary decision, renewed year by year. The current one runs until 31 December 2026.
Related guides
- The Balkans with a US, UK or Schengen visa
- Albania visa for UAE residents
- Serbia visa for UAE residents
Sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia: visa regime and entry information (mfa.gov.mk)
- MIA news agency: Government temporarily cancels short-stay visas for holders of UK, US and Canadian visas
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: UAE–North Macedonia visa exemption MoU (March 2023)
- The National: UAE nationals granted visa-free travel to Macedonia (May 2015)
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email [email protected] and it will be fixed and logged.