A Year After Opening, North Macedonia’s €200k CIP Has Yet to Grant Any Citizenships
At least 32 applications remain in processing, some of which were filed in Q2 last year and approved in principle last August.
Since 2016, North Macedonia (then Macedonia) has, on a discretionary basis, naturalized individuals who invested at least EUR 400,000 in new business facilities. In 2021, however, the government began allowing standardized investor naturalization on the basis of a EUR 200,000 donation to an approved development fund, effectively converting the naturalization policy into a formal CBI program.
Citizens of North Macedonia may travel visa-free to 125 destinations, including – crucially – all countries in the European Schengen area.
Program Type | Direct Citizenship Program |
Time to citizenship | Immediately upon approval |
Time to permanent residency | Immediately upon approval |
Minimum investment | EUR 200,000 |
Physical presence requirement | None |
Application processing time | 12 months or more |
Grants visa-free travel to | 125 destinations, including Schengen countries |
Contribution types available | Donation, Business Investment |
General program requirements
The program offers two main routes to qualification:
A €200,000 contribution to a private, government-approved development fund.
A €400,000 direct investment in new business facilities – excluding those in the F&B or hospitality sectors – that create at least ten new job positions.
Additional fees
€20,000 for the main applicant
€20,000 for a spouse
€10,000 for each child under 18 years of age
While the applicant and the minor dependents receive their citizenhips once processing is complete, the spouse will only obtain it after a year has passed. Children born to the main applicant at a future date, however, would be eligible for citizenship right away, even if they are born outside of North Macedonia.
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
The applicant submits the application, accompanied by all pertinent forms and fee payments, as well as share redemption documents demonstrating the fund contribution.
The ministry of interior conducts due diligence on the applicant before deciding whether to approve. This process typically takes 2-5 months.
Upon approval, the investor must make the requisite investment before finally receiving citizenship.
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Article 11 paragraph 2 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Macedonia
No statistics available for this program yet.
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At least 32 applications remain in processing, some of which were filed in Q2 last year and approved in principle last August.
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IMI has obtained evidence (not the same as proof) indicating the North Macedonian CIP is both government-sanctioned and operational.
In an exhaustive Q&A, we ask: Is it a government-sanctioned program? Who can become an agent? What are the fees? Was there a tender? and more.
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Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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