North Korea

🇰🇵

Phone Code

+850

Capital

Pyongyang

Population

26 Million

Native Name

북한

Region

Asia

Eastern Asia

Timezone

Korea Standard Time

UTC+09:00

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Money & CurrencyVisa OverviewVisa TypesImportant NotesCitiesEmbassies abroadEmbassies in country

North Korea (officially Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK) is a country in East Asia on the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by China, Russia, and South Korea. Pyongyang is the capital and largest city. The country has limited international tourism infrastructure and access has been historically restricted to organized group tours. IMPORTANT: Multiple governments maintain travel advisories for North Korea. US citizens are prohibited from traveling to North Korea under US federal law. Borders have been closed to foreign tourism, with reopening status to be confirmed through official government sources. Historical tourist sites include Pyongyang's monuments and museums, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Kaesong historic sites, Mount Kumgang, and Mount Paektu. Travelers should consult current official travel advisories before making any plans.

Visa Requirements for North Korea

North Korea's borders are currently closed to foreign tourism, with reopening status to be confirmed through official channels. IMPORTANT ADVISORY INFORMATION: The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to North Korea, noting that 'The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to North Korea. If you're in North Korea and able to leave, you should do so.' The US State Department maintains that 'The U.S. Department of State strongly warns against travel to North Korea. U.S. passports are not valid for travel into, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated.' According to German authorities, travel is strongly discouraged. The Australian government advises 'Do not travel' to North Korea, stating that 'Foreigners have been arbitrarily arrested and long-term detained.' The Swiss government advises against all travel. Consular support is extremely limited, with most Western embassies operating remotely or maintaining no presence. HISTORICAL VISA PROCESS (for reference when borders were open): Tourist visas required advance booking through approved tour operators. Applications were processed through North Korean diplomatic missions or via border crossing arrangements. Tour packages included visa arrangements as travel was only permitted via organized group tours. Travelers should monitor official government sources for any changes to border status and visa requirements.

Common Visa Types

Tourist Visa (via Tour Operator) - Historical

Historical process: Tourist visas arranged through approved tour operators; durations ranged from several days to two weeks; travel was conducted in organized groups with official guides; separate paper visas were typically issued; tour operators handled application procedures through North Korean embassies or border arrangements. Current status: Borders closed to foreign tourism. Travelers should consult official government travel advisories for current information.

Historical visa arrangement for tourism via organized group tours. Borders currently closed to tourism.

US Citizen Travel Prohibition

US passports are not valid for travel to North Korea except with special validation from the US Department of State. According to the US government, 'U.S. passports are not valid for travel into, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated for such travel under the authority of the Secretary of State.' Special validations are granted only in limited circumstances such as for professional journalists or humanitarian workers, and applications are rarely approved. Traveling to North Korea on a US passport without special validation violates US federal law.

US federal law prohibits travel by US citizens to North Korea without special validation.

Diplomatic and Official Visas

Duration varies based on diplomatic assignment or official purpose; arranged through Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK; separate procedures from tourist arrangements; subject to diplomatic protocols and bilateral agreements.

For diplomatic personnel and official government business, issued through diplomatic channels.

Special Entry Permits - Kaesong Industrial Region

The Kaesong Industrial Complex operated from 2004 to 2016 as a joint economic cooperation zone. Operations were suspended. Special permits were arranged through South Korean government and participating companies. Not applicable to general tourism. Area now closed to general access.

Historical special permits for the Kaesong Industrial Complex (joint economic zone between North and South Korea).

Important Travel Information

Government Travel Advisories: Multiple governments maintain significant travel warnings for North Korea. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel, stating that 'The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to North Korea' and noting that consular support is 'severely limited.' The US State Department warns against travel and notes that US passports are not valid for North Korea without special validation. The German government strongly discourages travel. The Australian government advises 'Do not travel,' citing risks including arbitrary arrest and detention. The Swiss government advises against all travel. Travelers should consult current official advisories from their respective foreign ministries.

US Citizen Travel Ban: US federal law prohibits travel by US citizens to North Korea unless the US Secretary of State grants a special passport validation. According to the US Department of State, 'U.S. passports are not valid for travel into, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated for such travel.' Special validations are granted in very limited circumstances for activities such as professional reporting or humanitarian work, and requests are rarely approved. US citizens should consult current US State Department guidance before making any travel plans.

Consular Support Limitations: Consular support for foreign nationals in North Korea is extremely limited. Most Western governments do not maintain diplomatic presence in Pyongyang or have severely restricted operations. The UK FCDO notes that 'The British Embassy in Pyongyang remains closed' and that 'consular support is severely limited.' The US government states it 'has no diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea' and that US citizens should not expect consular assistance. Emergency support for nationals is typically provided remotely from embassies in neighboring countries with significant limitations.

Cities with missions

Where this country maintains embassies or consulates

Pyongyang
States & Regions in North Korea

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Hosted missions

Embassies in North Korea

These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.

Key origin countries

United Kingdom in North Korea

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