The shortest procedure
A declaration at the district labour office instead of a permit and visa. No Employment Agency (AVRM) labour market check and no consular appointments means a start counted in weeks rather than quarters.
Recruitment from UkraineWorkers from Ukraine for jobs in North Macedonia.
Recruitment, visas and work permits
Ukraine is the origin where hiring is measured in weeks, not months. No visa, no Employment Agency (AVRM) labour market check and no consular procedure — a declaration on entrusting work registered with the labour office is enough. We handle sourcing, legalisation, transport and accommodation.
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Ukraine · Eastern Europe
Workers from Ukraine – for companies that need people right now
Ukraine has for years been the largest source of foreign workers in North Macedonia. It is not only about scale: it is the one major origin where legalisation is counted in weeks and a candidate can arrive by coach within a dozen hours. For an employer with an urgent staffing gap it is usually the only realistic option.
The basis is a declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner, registered with the district labour office. Ukrainian citizens are covered by this procedure, and a biometric passport allows visa-free entry. There are no visa fees, consular appointments or air tickets — the very things that add months to overseas origins.
The act on the conditions for entrusting work to foreigners, in force since June 2025, shortened the path further: applications are filed electronically through praca.gov.pl, the Employment Agency (AVRM) labour market check was abolished and the maximum period of work on a declaration was extended. In return, employer obligations tightened — the contract must be in writing and the worker registered with social security.
The second advantage is language and work culture. Ukrainian and Macedonian are Slavic languages, so onboarding needs no interpreter and a large share of candidates has already worked in North Macedonia. The constraint is martial law and the related rules on men leaving the country, which is why much of our sourcing covers people already residing legally in North Macedonia and the European Union.
- Declaration on entrusting work at the labour office
- No visa — visa-free travel with a biometric passport
- No Employment Agency (AVRM) labour market check or governor's statement
- Transport, accommodation and registration handled by us
1–3
weeks from decision to the first day at work
0
visa and consular procedures
24 mo.
maximum work period on a declaration
100%
legal employment and residence
Other directions
PhilippinesIndiaNepalBangladeshSri LankaPakistanVietnamIndonesia+13
We also recruit from Philippines, India, Nepal, .
See all directionsBenefits
Why companies choose workers from Ukraine
Language proximity
Ukrainian and Macedonian are Slavic languages. Workstation instructions are understood within days, and health and safety training needs no interpreter or crew leader.
Short journey and batch arrivals
A dozen hours by coach from western Ukraine instead of a flight across the world. Groups can be brought in stages, so you can react quickly to a spike in orders.
Industrial background
Metallurgy, machine building, processing and construction are pillars of the Ukrainian economy. Candidates know machinery, shift work and output targets.
Prior experience in North Macedonia
Many candidates have already worked in Macedonian plants and know the paperwork, expectations and day-to-day reality. Onboarding is shorter than with new origins.
A path to long-term stay
After the declaration, the natural next step is a single permit for residence and work. Workers often bring their families, which translates into low turnover in later years.
Qualifications
How we verify candidates from Ukraine
Each candidate profile includes scans of trade documents, an employment history with named plants, references, an assessment of Macedonian language skills and — for technical trades — documentation of a practical skills test.
Technical school and university diplomas
Ukrainian vocational education is built on technical schools and colleges in mechanical, electrical and construction fields. We verify documents and provide sworn translations where needed.
Welding and operator certificates
We check the scope of qualifications and welding methods, and for welders we arrange weld samples with visual assessment. The EN ISO 9606-1 exam and accredited inspection body licences are completed on the Macedonian side.
Employment history and references
We verify work at named plants in Ukraine and in North Macedonia. References from Macedonian employers are confirmed by phone — the strongest signal available for this origin.
Driving licences and driver qualifications
For drivers we check the category, seniority and route history, then handle licence exchange, initial qualification, code 95 and the driver card application.
Where we recruit in Ukraine
The region a candidate comes from genuinely shapes their professional profile.
Lviv and the Lviv region
Closest to the border and the largest share of people with Macedonian work experience. Construction, manufacturing, logistics and services, with the shortest travel time and the easiest batch planning.
Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil
The base for construction and skilled trades. Candidates with experience on European Union sites, used to crew work and project schedules.
Volyn and Rivne
Wood processing, furniture and manufacturing. High readiness to relocate and solid experience with machinery and continuous-operation plants.
Vinnytsia and Cherkasy
Large-scale agriculture and food processing. Agricultural machine operators and staff for sorting lines, cold stores and processing plants.
Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia
Heavy industry, metallurgy and machine building. Welders, fitters, machine tool operators and maintenance mechanics from large plants.
Candidates already in North Macedonia
People with a valid residence basis, often holding a EMBG number and experience with a Macedonian employer. The fastest route — a start within days of the decision is often possible.
Recruitment and legalisation
From contract to legal employment — one deployment plan
We run the process in five stages: call, quote and contract; sourcing and pre-selection; declaration at the labour office; residence basis and arrival; accommodation and onboarding. With Ukraine the whole path usually fits into three weeks.
1–3 weeks
from decision to the first day at work
5 stages
one coordinator runs the whole process
100%
compliance with the foreign employment act
Фази на процесот
Needs analysis, role profile, quote and schedule. Sourcing starts once the contract is signed.
- 01
Call and needs analysis
Day 1–2We agree the scope of duties, required certificates, pay and accommodation standard.
- 02
Quote and schedule
Day 2–3We present the full budget, stage deadlines and planned arrival batches.
- 03
Contract and job description
Day 3Contract signature and approval of the job description, which then goes into the declaration.
Sourcing in western and central Ukraine and among people already in North Macedonia — certificates, experience, Macedonian language level.
- 01
Candidate pre-selection
Day 3–7We verify certificates, diplomas, employment history and references, including from Macedonian employers.
- 02
Shortlist and interviews
Day 5–10We present a documented shortlist. Interviews are held in Macedonian or Ukrainian with your supervisor.
Registering the declaration with the district labour office through praca.gov.pl. No Employment Agency (AVRM) labour market check, no governor's statement.
- 01
Declaration filing
Day 5–12We file the declaration on entrusting work with the district labour office through praca.gov.pl.
- 02
Entry in the register
Day 7–20The office enters the declaration in the register — typically from a few days up to 30 days. We hand the document to the candidate.
Verification of the residence basis, insurance, coach transport or pick-up of a candidate already in North Macedonia.
- 01
Residence basis check
Day 7–14We verify the biometric passport, visa-free entry, special act status or a valid residence card.
- 02
Insurance and transport
Day 10–18Travel insurance, coach transport or pick-up of a candidate already residing in North Macedonia.
Accommodation, address registration, EMBG, written contract, social security registration, medical checks and safety training.
- 01
Accommodation and registration
First weekHousing that meets sanitary requirements, address registration, EMBG application and opening a bank account.
- 02
Contract, social security and medicals
First weekA written contract in a language the worker understands, social security registration, medical checks and safety training.
- 03
Induction and 90-day review
Month 1–3A team buddy, supervised first days, coordinator support and a review after three months.
Типичен распоред
Од договорот до првиот работен ден – обично 1–3 месеци
Day 1–3
Call, quote and contract
01Day 3–10
Sourcing and candidate pre-selection
02Day 5–20
Declaration and entry in the labour office register
03Day 10–18
Residence basis, insurance and transport
04Day 14–21
Accommodation and first day at work
05Рокот од 1–3 месеци зависи од фактори надвор од наша контрола – капацитетот на надлежните органи, конзулатите и амбасадите, оптовареноста на визните системи и времето на одлучување по барањата.
Трошоци за вработување
Од што се состои буџетот
Declaration fee
EmployerFee for filing the declaration on entrusting work with the district labour office.
Transport from Ukraine
Employer / agencyCoach or van travel plus transfer to the accommodation. No air tickets and no visa fees.
Accommodation
EmployerHousing meeting sanitary requirements, utilities and a starter kit.
Medicals, safety training and insurance
Employer / agencyMedical checks, health and safety training and insurance for the journey and first days of stay.
Licences and exams in North Macedonia
Employer / agencyFor welders, operators and drivers: the EN ISO 9606-1 exam, accredited inspection body licences, licence exchange, code 95 and the driver card.
Agency fee
EmployerSourcing, handling of the declaration and residence legalisation, plus coordinator support after arrival.
Ukraine is the most affordable origin we offer because visa, consular and air travel costs disappear. The schedule is driven mainly by how quickly a given labour office enters the declaration in the register and by the availability of candidates with the required certificates. Both are factored into the quote from day one.
Подготвени за старт
Распоред и буџет пред одлуката.
- Понуда без скриени ставки
- Реален датум на пристигнување
- Еден координатор на процесот
Industries
Where workers from Ukraine perform best
This origin is chosen when people are needed immediately and the role calls for independence and communication with the crew. Language proximity means onboarding takes days rather than weeks.
Industrial manufacturing
Machine operators and line staff from metal, furniture and processing plants. Shift work, output targets and quality procedures are familiar from Ukrainian factories.
- Machine operator
- Production worker
- Maintenance mechanic
- Fitter
- Quality controller
Construction and installations
The strongest specialisation of this origin. Candidates have experience on Macedonian and EU sites: structures, finishing, electrical and sanitary installations.
- Construction worker
- Steel fixer
- Formwork carpenter
- Bricklayer and plasterer
- Site electrician
Welding and metalworking
Backed by metallurgy and machine building in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia. MIG/MAG and TIG welders, CNC operators and steel structure fitters.
- MIG/MAG welder
- TIG welder
- Steel structure fitter
- CNC operator
- Grinder
Transport and logistics
C+E drivers with international route experience plus staff for warehouses and distribution centres running WMS systems.
- C+E driver
- Warehouse operative
- Forklift operator
- Order picker
- Freight forwarder
Agriculture and horticulture
Ukraine means large-scale farming: combine and tractor operators, orchard, greenhouse and sorting line staff with seasonal and year-round experience.
- Agricultural machine operator
- Orchard worker
- Greenhouse worker
- Sorting line worker
- Field supervisor
Hospitality and hotels
Candidates with hotel and restaurant experience, often after previous work in North Macedonia. Guest contact in Macedonian is realistic after a short induction.
- Cook
- Kitchen assistant
- Waiter
- Room attendant
- Dishwashing staff
Ukraine is the fastest option, but the candidate pool can be tight for large uniform groups. To staff a whole shift, consider the Philippines or Ethiopia in parallel.
Roles
Roles we recruit for in Ukraine
This origin delivers most for urgent staffing gaps and for roles requiring certificates: welding, construction, transport and maintenance. For technical trades we can arrange an optional practical test as a paid add-on on client request.
- MIG/MAG welder
- TIG welder
- Fitter
- CNC operator
- Construction worker
- Steel fixer
- Electrician
- Installation fitter
- C+E driver
- Warehouse operative
- Machine operator
- Production worker
Considering other origins? See also workers from Georgia, workers from Kazakhstan or workers from the Philippines.
Ukraine compared with other recruitment origins
A comparison of typical differences in the process and candidate profile.
| Criterion | Ukraine | Other origins |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Declaration on entrusting work at the labour office | Single permit for residence and work and national D visa (Asia, Africa) |
| Process time | 1 to 3 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks (Georgia) or 4 to 6 months (Philippines, Kenya) |
| Visa | Not required — visa-free travel | National D visa and a consular appointment |
| Language | Language proximity — onboarding without an interpreter | Working English or a crew leader required |
| Recruitment scale | Limited pool for large uniform groups | Easier to staff a full shift (Asia, Africa) |
Cultural integration
Challenges and proven solutions
Teams from Ukraine settle in faster than any other origin, but a few things are worth setting up at the start. Below are four points that in practice decide whether the first year passes without turnover.
Language: fast, but not instant
Language proximity can mislead — similar words sometimes mean different things. Bilingual workstation instructions and a short glossary of technical terms prevent misunderstandings in the first weeks.
Residence and banking formalities
Address registration, EMBG, a bank account and, for longer employment, the single permit application. The coordinator tracks deadlines so residence and work legality is never interrupted.
Family and the situation at home
Many workers leave families in Ukraine and deal with the consequences of the war. Flexibility around leave, a predictable roster and the ability to stay in touch genuinely affect team stability.
Turnover and competition for candidates
This is the most competitive worker market in North Macedonia. On-time pay, good accommodation and a clear pay progression path are the most effective tools for keeping a team long term.
FAQFrequently asked
Frequently asked
questions
Short answers to questions about recruiting workers from Ukraine.
First candidates in as little as 72h Full legalisation
Not a standard single permit for residence and work. Ukraine is covered by the simplified declaration procedure — a declaration on entrusting work registered with the district labour office is enough. Ukrainian citizens staying in North Macedonia under the special act additionally have access to the labour market once the employer files a simple notification through praca.gov.pl.
This is the fastest origin we offer: realistically 1 to 3 weeks from decision to the first day at work. Registering the declaration with the labour office usually takes from a few days up to 30 days, and for candidates already in North Macedonia — holding UKR status with a praca.gov.pl notification — a start within days is often possible.
Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport travel to the Schengen area visa-free, so no visa is needed to arrive. Longer stay and work require a valid legal basis: a national D visa, a single permit for residence and work, or the status resulting from the special act. We match the basis to each candidate's situation.
Since June 2025 the act on the conditions for entrusting work to foreigners has applied. The key changes are fully electronic filing through praca.gov.pl, abolition of the Employment Agency (AVRM) labour market check, a longer maximum period of work on a declaration, and an obligation to sign a written contract and register the worker with social security. For employers that means a shorter procedure but stricter inspections.
No. There is no Employment Agency (AVRM) labour market check with a declaration, and the 2025 reform removed the governor's statement from the permit procedure as well. This is one of the main reasons why Ukraine has the shortest lead time of all our origins.
Ukrainian and Macedonian are both Slavic languages, so the barrier is far lower than with Asian or African origins. Most candidates understand workstation instructions within days and communicate freely after a few months. Many have already worked in North Macedonia and speak Macedonian at a working level.
Ukraine has a strong industrial base: metallurgy, machine building, construction, transport and large-scale agriculture. Candidates hold technical school and university diplomas, welding certificates and hands-on production and site experience. We verify credentials on paper. A practical test for welders and operators is available only as an optional paid add-on on client request.
Professional drivers need to exchange the licence and obtain a certificate of professional competence with code 95. We run this in parallel with employment legalisation so the driver can start routes without downtime. The driver card is issued once Macedonian licences are in place.
Because of martial law in Ukraine, travel by men of mobilisation age is restricted. In practice we recruit candidates already residing legally in North Macedonia and the European Union, candidates holding an exit entitlement, and women, whose share in production and warehouse recruitment keeps growing. Every case is verified against documents.
We provide accommodation meeting sanitary requirements, transport to site, address registration, a EMBG number and help with opening a bank account. Coach travel from western Ukraine takes around a dozen hours, which makes it easy to schedule arrivals in batches.
A declaration currently allows work to be entrusted for up to 24 months, and the next step is a single permit for residence and work, usually issued for up to three years. With continuous employment the worker can settle in North Macedonia permanently — many of our candidates later bring their families.
The budget is lower than for overseas origins: the declaration registration fee, transport from Ukraine or within North Macedonia, medical checks and health and safety training, accommodation, and the agency fee. There are no visa costs, air tickets or lengthy consular procedures. We quote for the specific role and headcount.
Origin: UkraineHire workers from Ukraine.
We start with a call about your needs, a quote and a contract. Only then do we launch sourcing, the declaration at the labour office, transport and accommodation.
- 1Call and needs analysis
- 2Quote, schedule and contract
- 3Sourcing and declaration at the labour office
- 4Arrival, accommodation and onboarding
Realistic time from decision to the first day at work: 1 to 3 weeks.
