Border radar — entry requirement updates

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

cardsAccepted

Before: limited
After: widely

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

us-visa

Before: Holders of a valid multiple-entry US, UK or Canadian visa in their passport, valid at least five days beyond the planned stay, may enter North Macedonia without a visa for up to 15 days, under a temporary government decision in force from 1 January to 31 December 2026. Holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen (type C) visa valid at least five days beyond the stay, and third-country nationals with temporary or permanent residence in an EU or Schengen state, may also stay up to 15 days per entry, within 90 days in any 180-day period.
After: Under a temporary decision valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026, foreign citizens holding valid travel documents of third countries and a valid multiple-entry British, American or Canadian visa inserted in the passport may stay up to 15 days, the visa being valid 5 days longer than the planned stay. Third-country nationals with a multiple-entry Schengen (type C) visa valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended stay, or with temporary or permanent residence in an EU Member State or Schengen signatory, may stay no longer than 15 days on every entry, as long as the total stay does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

feeNotes

Before: 35 euros for children aged 6–12. Set by Tariff No. 135 of the Law on Administrative Fees.
After: 35 euros for children aged 6-12, under Tariff No. 135 of the Law on Administrative Fees.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

feeNotes

Before: 35 euros for children aged 6–12. Set by Tariff No. 135 of the Law on Administrative Fees. Under the Law on Foreigners a decision is due within 15 calendar days of a complete application, extendable to 30 days and, where extra documents or prior consent are needed, to 60; the visa is issued with a validity of up to one year, and may be extended once for force majeure or humanitarian reasons.
After: 35 euros for children aged 6-12, under Tariff No. 135 of the Law on Administrative Fees. Under the Law on Foreigners, a decision is due within 15 calendar days of a complete application, extendable to 30 calendar days and, where additional documents or prior consent are needed, to 60 days; the C visa is issued with a validity of up to one year (by exception up to two years), and may be extended once for force majeure and humanitarian reasons.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

bestTimeToVisit

Before: No official source we checked gives seasonal guidance for North Macedonia. Canada's travel advice says forest fires are common in summer and that air pollution is usually worst in winter, from coal and wood heating.
After: No official source we could read gives a best time to visit North Macedonia. Canada's travel advice says forest fires are common during the summer, and that air pollution is usually worst in winter due to the heavy smoke from coal and wood burning heaters.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

safety

Before: The UK government says attacks against foreign nationals are extremely rare, but gangs of children pickpocket and bag-snatch in the main shopping and entertainment areas late at night, and there are occasional shooting incidents, including in Skopje, not targeted at foreign nationals. Canada says secondary roads are poorly maintained and lack adequate lighting.
After: The UK government says attacks against foreign nationals are extremely rare, that there have been several cases of pickpocketing by gangs of children and bag snatching in the main shopping and entertainment areas late at night, and that there are occasional shooting incidents, including in Skopje, which are not targeted at foreign nationals. Canada's travel advice says secondary roads are poorly maintained and lack adequate lighting.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

payments

Before: Canada's travel advice says North Macedonia's economy is mostly cash-based, with credit cards accepted in some larger establishments and ATMs in urban centres; Australia's Smartraveller says major hotels and large shops accept cards. The UK government advises changing money only at banks or official exchanges, and the denar cannot be exchanged outside the country.
After: Australia's Smartraveller says major hotels and most shops in North Macedonia accept credit cards, but some smaller shops and green markets only accept cash; most banks in towns and cities have ATMs that accept international bank cards, and you can't change the denar outside North Macedonia. The UK government says British banks do not exchange Macedonian denars, and to change money only through banks or official exchanges, not through street dealers.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

currencyLimits

Before: Non-residents must declare foreign cash and cheques worth €10,000 or more on entry; smaller sums can be declared voluntarily. On departure a non-resident may not take out more foreign cash than was declared on entry.
After: The UK government tells British travellers to declare foreign currency worth 10,000 euros or more when entering North Macedonia. Canada's travel advice says a declaration to customs is required on entry or exit for the equivalent of €10,000 or more, regardless of the currencies.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

police-registration

Before: You must register with the local police in the town or city where you are staying within 48 hours of arrival. Hotel staff register you at check-in; otherwise register with the police directly (also possible online, in Macedonian) and de-register 24 hours before you leave. Keep the registration document until you leave: failing to register can bring a fine, detention and a court hearing, or a restriction on returning.
After: The UK government tells British travellers they must register with the local police in the town or city where they are staying within 48 hours of arrival; hotel staff register guests at check-in. It says to keep the registration document until you leave, that anyone who registered with the police directly must de-register 24 hours before leaving, that registration with the police is possible online (in Macedonian), and that not registering may bring a fine, detention and a court hearing, or a restriction on returning. Canada's travel advice says to register within 24 hours of arrival.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

proofOfFunds

Before: No fixed amount is published. Under the Law on Foreigners, every foreigner entering for a short stay must justify the purpose and conditions of the stay and have means of subsistence for it and for the return or onward journey; the Government sets the amount by decision, but no figure is published. Means can be shown with cash, traveller's cheques or credit cards, and short-stay (C) visa applicants must prove them with their application, for example with a credit card or bank statement.
After: No official source we could read states the amount. North Macedonia's Law on Foreigners says a foreigner intending to stay no longer than 90 days in any 180-day period is admitted if, among other conditions, they justify the purpose and conditions of the stay and have means of subsistence for the stay and for the return home or transit; the Government sets the amount, and means can be assessed on the basis of cash, traveller's cheques and credit cards owned by the foreigner, among others. The Foreign Ministry lists proof of sufficient resources for the stay (credit card/bank statement) among the documents for a short-stay (C) visa.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

onwardTicket

Before: Visa applicants must document their means of transport and their intention to return home or travel on to a third country, along with accommodation and means of subsistence. No official source states an onward-ticket check for visa-free visitors.
After: North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry says a visa applicant encloses documents that prove the purpose of the visit, secured accommodation, means of subsistence for the stay and for repatriation or travel to a third country, means of transport, and the intention to return to the country of origin or to travel to a third country. No official source we could read states an onward-ticket check for visa-free visitors.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

travelInsurance

Before: The Foreign Ministry says visa applicants must provide proof of valid travel medical insurance for the entire duration of their stay. No official source we read makes insurance a condition of entry for visa-free visitors.
After: North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry says a visa applicant must provide proof of travel medical insurance for the entire duration of the stay. No official source we could read makes insurance a condition of entry for visa-free visitors.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

passportValidity

Before: Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned stay in North Macedonia.
After: North Macedonia's Law on Foreigners says a foreigner's travel document must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from North Macedonia (an obligation that may be waived in justified cases set by law) and must have been issued within the previous 10 years.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

skopje-air

Before: Canada's travel advice says smoke haze and air pollution can be extremely hazardous, usually worst in winter because of coal and wood heating, and Australia's Smartraveller names Skopje. It advises talking to your doctor before you travel if you have a breathing condition.
After: Canada's travel advice says smoke haze and other types of air pollution can be extremely hazardous in North Macedonia, usually worst in winter due to the heavy smoke from coal and wood burning heaters. Australia's Smartraveller says air pollution can be an issue in parts of the country, including Skopje, and advises talking to your doctor before you travel if you have a breathing condition.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

pay-in-denars

Before: Canada says the economy is mostly cash-based and cards are accepted only in some larger establishments. The UK government says to change money only through banks or official exchanges, not through street dealers.
After: Australia's Smartraveller says some smaller shops and green markets only accept cash and that you can't change the denar outside North Macedonia. The UK government says British banks do not exchange Macedonian denars, so exchange any unwanted denars before you leave, and to change money only through banks or official exchanges, not through street dealers.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

police-registration

Before: Register with the police soon after you arrive: Canada says within 24 hours, the UK government within 48 hours. Hotels and other commercial accommodation register you at check-in; otherwise register at the nearest police station and keep the document until you leave.
After: Canada's travel advice says to register your presence within 24 hours of arrival; the UK government tells British travellers to register with the local police within 48 hours. Canada says commercial accommodations will generally file the registration for you, and that in non-commercial accommodation you must register at the nearest police station. The UK government says to keep the registration document with you until you leave.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

eu-id-card

Before: Yes. The Foreign Ministry says nationals of EU member states and Schengen signatories do not need a visa and may enter with a valid national identity card.
After: Yes. North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry says nationals of EU Member States and Schengen Agreement signatories do not need a visa and are eligible to enter with a valid national identity card.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

currency

Before: The Macedonian denar (MKD). Canada's travel advice says the economy is mostly cash-based, with credit cards accepted in some larger establishments and ATMs in urban centres. Australia's Smartraveller says the denar cannot be changed outside North Macedonia.
After: Australia's Smartraveller says the official currency is the denar (MKD) and that you can't change it outside North Macedonia. It says major hotels and most shops accept credit cards, but some smaller shops and green markets only accept cash, and most banks in towns and cities have ATMs that accept international bank cards.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

us-stay

Before: US passport holders can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
After: (deleted)

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

schengen-visa-entry

Before: Yes — holders of a valid multiple-entry Schengen (type C) visa can enter without a North Macedonian visa and stay up to 15 days per visit, provided the Schengen visa remains valid at least five days beyond the stay.
After: Yes. North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry says third-country nationals with a multiple-entry Schengen (type C) visa valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended stay may stay no longer than 15 days on every entry, as long as the total stay does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

do-i-need-visa

Before: Citizens of countries including the EU states, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and Japan can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period visa-free. Nationalities that need a visa can apply at a North Macedonian embassy, or enter for up to 15 days per visit if they hold a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa or EU residence permit, or, under a decision in force through 31 December 2026, a valid multiple-entry US, UK or Canadian visa.
After: North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry says nationals of EU Member States and Schengen Agreement signatories do not need a visa. The UK government tells British travellers they can visit for up to 3 months without a visa; Canada's travel advice says Canadians need no tourist visa for stays up to 90 days; Australia's Smartraveller says Australians can stay up to 90 days in a 6-month period without a visa. Under the Law on Foreigners, a foreigner intending to stay no longer than 90 days in any 180-day period must hold a valid visa where the visa regime requires one, unless they hold a valid residence permit; visa applications go to a North Macedonian diplomatic or consular mission. Third-country nationals with a multiple-entry Schengen (type C) visa valid at least 5 days beyond the stay, or with temporary or permanent residence in an EU or Schengen state, may stay up to 15 days on every entry, within 90 days in any 180-day period, and so may, under a decision valid until 31 December 2026, holders of a valid multiple-entry British, American or Canadian visa.

2026-10-09

North Macedonia

summary

Before: North Macedonia grants 90 visa-free days to citizens of countries including the EU states, the UK, the US and its Balkan neighbors, while visa-required nationalities can either apply at an embassy or enter for up to 15 days per visit on a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, an EU residence permit or (through 2026) a multiple-entry US, UK or Canadian visa.
After: North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry says nationals of EU Member States and Schengen Agreement signatories do not need a visa and may enter with a valid national identity card. Third-country nationals with a multiple-entry Schengen (type C) visa valid for at least 5 days beyond the intended stay, or with temporary or permanent residence in an EU Member State or Schengen signatory, may stay no longer than 15 days on every entry, within 90 days in any 180-day period; under a temporary decision valid from 1 January to 31 December 2026, so may holders of a valid multiple-entry British, American or Canadian visa in their passport that is valid 5 days longer than the planned stay. Other visa applications go to a North Macedonian diplomatic or consular mission.

2026-10-09

North Korea

countryFacts.bestTimeToVisit

Before: Canada's travel advice says the rainy season runs from late June until August, with July usually the wettest month. No official source names a best season.
After: Canada's travel advice says the rainy season extends from late June until August, with July usually the wettest month. No official source we could read names a best time to visit.

2026-10-09

North Korea

countryFacts.safety

Before: The UK government advises against all but essential travel to North Korea. It says the North Korean authorities have previously detained foreign nationals for allegedly violating local laws and denied them access to support from their governments, and that a guide will almost always accompany visitors and decide where they can go. Canada advises against all travel, citing the risk of arbitrary detention.
After: The UK government advises against all but essential travel to North Korea. It says the North Korean authorities have previously detained foreign nationals for allegedly violating local laws and denied them access to support from their governments, and that a guide will almost always accompany visitors and decide where they can go. Canada advises avoiding all travel, citing the risk of arbitrary detention.

2026-10-09

North Korea

countryFacts.payments

Before: The UK government says credit cards and international mobile payments are not accepted; the US dollar and the euro are the most widely accepted currencies, some places take Chinese yuan, and importing or exporting the won is illegal. Canada's travel advice adds that there are no ATMs, change in foreign currency is often unavailable, and some hotels accept credit cards with advance notice.
After: The UK government says credit cards and international mobile payments are not accepted, that the US dollar and the euro are the most widely accepted currencies with Chinese yuan accepted in some places, and that importing or exporting the won is illegal. Canada's travel advice adds that there are no ATMs, that change in foreign currency is often unavailable, and that some hotels accept credit cards if you give them advance notice.