Who can go to North Korea without a visa?
As one of the most secretive and tightly-controlled countries in the world, not many tourists visit North Korea....Holders of diplomatic or service passports of the following countries can visit without a visa:Albania.Belarus.Bulgaria.China.Cuba.Indonesia.Iran.Kyrgyzstan.More items...
Can a foreigner go to North Korea?
General entry/exit information Foreigners can enter North Korea either by air or by train. It is not possible to enter North Korea from South Korea or to enter South Korea from North Korea. Even if you meet all entry requirements, you may be arbitrarily arrested and/or detained at your point of entry.
Can a US citizen travel to North Korea?
North Korea - Level 4: Do Not Travel Exercise increased caution to North Korea due to the critical threat of wrongful detention. All U.S. passports are invalid for travel to, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated for such travel under the authority of the Secretary of State.
What countries can fly to North Korea?
This is a common misconception especially for westerners. The only nationalities restricted from travel to North Korea are tourists travelling on South Korean (Republic of Korea) and United States of America (USA) passports. All other nationalities are legally allowed to visit the DPRK.
Can you take pictures in North Korea?
Most camera equipment is permitted by customs into North Korea. DSLR cameras are allowed, however, camera lenses are restricted officially to a maximum focal length of 150mm. Pocket-sized travel cameras and GoPro's (or similar) are permitted, as are smartphones (although you won't have any internet!)
Can planes fly over North Korea?
The US prohibits flights across all North Korean airspace, including the oceanic part of the ZKKP/Pyongyang FIR over the Sea of Japan. Several other countries have airspace warnings in place which advise caution due to the risk posed by unannounced rocket launches.
What countries can US citizens not visit?
North Korea Coastal plains crumple into rocky peaks in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the only country on earth the American government forbids US citizens from visiting.
Where are Americans not allowed to travel?
The Most Difficult Countries for Americans to Visit01 of 05. North Korea. Gavin Hellier/Robert Harding World Imagery/Getty Images. ... 02 of 05. Iran. Paul Keller via Flickr. ... 03 of 05. Cuba. HYanWong via Wikimedia Commons. ... 04 of 05. Libya. Lucag via Wikimedia Commons. ... 05 of 05. Saudi Arabia. Al Jazeera English via Twitter.
What is not allowed in North Korea?
1. Foreign movies, songs not allowed. Watching foreign movies or listening to foreign music can send North Korean citizens to jail. In 2015, North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un ordered the destruction of all cassette tapes and CDs that had state-banned songs in order to contain dissent.
Can you go to North Korea as a tourist?
Do not travel to North Korea due to the impacts of COVID-19. North Korea's borders remain closed due to COVID-19. Tours to North Korea are suspended until further notice.
Which country Cannot enter North Korea?
South KoreaWhich countries cannot visit North Korea? The only country that North Korea restricts visitors from is South Korea (the Republic of Korea), whose citizens need special permission (from both governments).
Do North Koreans have Internet?
Internet access is not generally available in North Korea. Only some high-level officials are allowed to access the global internet. In most universities, a small number of strictly monitored computers are provided. Other citizens may get access only to the country's national intranet, called Kwangmyong.
Why can't Americans go to North Korea?
Travel was banned after Otto Warmbier Warmbier died in June 2017 days after being released from detention in North Korea in a coma. The U.S. has barred the use of an American passport to enter North Korea since 2017, making limited, one-time exceptions for some citizens such as aid workers and journalists.
Is North Korea safe to travel to?
Despite what you may hear, it is safe to travel to North Korea. The DPRK (North Korea) is probably one of the safest places on Earth to visit provided you follow the laws and regulations as covered in our booking documents, at our pre-tour briefings, and throughout your stay in North Korea.
What is not allowed in North Korea?
1. Foreign movies, songs not allowed. Watching foreign movies or listening to foreign music can send North Korean citizens to jail. In 2015, North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un ordered the destruction of all cassette tapes and CDs that had state-banned songs in order to contain dissent.
Visa requirement
North Korean tourist visas are issued in the form of a tourist card for tourists, or on a separate paper for other types of visas. No stamps are stamped inside one's actual passport.
Visa exemption
Citizens of China holding ordinary passports visiting only the Tongrim County as tourists can stay there using the Chinese ID card in lieu of a visa and passport for up to two days. They may also visit Sinuiju for a day trip without a visa.
South Korea
Nationals of South Korea seeking to visit North Korea cannot use South Korean passports to travel to North Korea. They must instead submit a North/South Korea visitation verification certificate as well as a departure card to the North Korean immigration officer at the port of entry and go through immigration inspection in North Korea.
Who can get permission to travel to North Korea?
Permission to travel to North Korea must be obtained by the Ministry of Reunification and its northern counterpart.
How long before a trip to Pyongyang to get a visa?
This should be ca. 25 days before your trip (Koryo Tours send the first round of visa applications to Pyongyang 40 days prior to the tour and visa authorization takes up to 2 weeks).
What is the default option for Koryo Tours?
The default option is that all formalities are taken care of Koryo Tours.
Is the first step the same as in the case of the DPRK Tourist Card?
The first step is the same as in the case of the DPRK Tourist Card .
Is it easy to get a visa for North Korea?
Believe it or not, the North Korea visa is among the easiest to obtain.
Can you be Han if you have a passport?
On the other hand, you will be classified as Han if you are a Mainland passport holder even if you belong to any of the other recognized 55 ethnic groups.
Is Canadian Korean a Chinese?
A Canadian Korean will end up being “North Korean” (초선) while anyone who is ethnic Chinese will be (Han) Chinese (한족) regardless of the fact that they carry a Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, ROC/Taiwan, Malaysian, etc. passport.
How to enter North Korea?
Entering North Korea by train. The process of travel to North Korea from here and entering the country is straightforwards. On the train journey into North Korea, the train will stop in the North Korean border city of sinuiju where North Korean soldiers will do a visa, passport and customs check. This seems intimidating, but it is straightforwards.
What do you meet in Pyongyang?
Upon your arrival in Pyongyang, you will meet two local North Koreans who will be your “guides” (there will also be a driver and a bus to take you about in). These people can speak English fluently, they will take you around, show you everything and run your itinerary.
Requirements for entering North Korea
There are no special requirements for a tourist in the DPRK. The travel agency will independently draw up all the necessary documents for you. All you have to do is provide a passport with a visa to the immigration officer.
Why do tourists travel to the DPRK?
There are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the DPRK: the Kogure Tombs Complex and the Historical Monuments of Kaesong. In Pyongyang, you should go to the Palace of the Sun. The former (immortal) leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are buried there. Close to that palace, there is a museum with gifts from foreign leaders to the Korean leaders.
Useful tips for tourists
The forbidden country attracts tourists. Every year hundreds of tourists around the world apply for a visa to the DPRK.
Visa to North Korea
If you want to obtain a visa to North Korea, you need to collect visa documents. Please be aware that only an accredited tour operator can apply for a North Korea visa.
Terms of issuing a visa to North Korea
A visa to North Korea, as a rule, is issued for a very long time - starting from one month. However, tourists should be aware that the North Korean Foreign Ministry may refuse visa issuance to travelers for no reason.
How many amusement parks are there in North Korea?
However, as funny as it may sound, North Korea does have three amusement parks. Two of them are out of order because of the lack of electricity and interest, but the third is operational and may provide a little bit of fun while in North Korea. The rides are quite modern, and they are not dangerous.
What language do people speak in Korea?
The tour guides often speak decent English - some may even know German, Russian, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. You should not interact with the locals under any unauthorized circumstances. Your best chance of interacting with citizens is if your trip takes coincides with a national holiday. Other than that, we recommend that you do not endanger yourself, the person, or their extended family by speaking to you.
How long does a Korean tour last?
The tour can last up to 5 days and cannot depart from your itinerary in any way. The official and most spoken language used in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is Korean. The tour guides often speak decent English - some may even know German, Russian, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese.
Can Chinese go to North Korea?
As you can imagine, the entry requirements in North Korea are pretty strict. The country’s visa policy allows only Chinese nationals who want to visit Tongnim City to enter North Korea without a visa .
Is Panmunjom in Korea still at war?
It will get you into trouble, as well as create problems for your guide. Remember that the two Koreas are still at war, with merely a cease-fire in place. Panmunjom is called the ‘peace village,’ and you are free to take photos there as you like. This location is the home of the world’s third tallest flagpole.
Where to apply for a North Korean visa?
Your tour operator will usually submit your visa application to the North Korean embassy in your home country or in Beijing and inform you when it has been approved. You can then contact the embassy directly to pick up your visa.
How long does it take to get to North Korea from China?
If you're entering North Korea through China, you require a double-entry visa or flight ticket showing that when you return from Pyongyang, you will be in transit in Beijing airport for less than 72 hours.
How long does it take to get a visa for a tour?
If your tour operator applies via the embassy in your country of residence (if available), the tour operator will inform you once your visa application has been approved and you can usually receive your visa on the same day if you attend the embassy in person or within a week by post.
Do you need a passport to enter North Korea?
To enter North Korea, a passport valid for the duration of stay is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
North Korea Visa Policy and Application Process
The visa application can be facilitated by the tour operator who is organising your trip, or through a company responsible for processing travel documents for foreign visitors.
North Korea Visa Requirements and Eligibility
DPRK does not let any South Korean passport holders into the country. If you are a South Korea national, please do not apply for a travel document as it will be rejected.
North Korea Visa Application Form and Documents
The good news is, applying for a travel document doesn’t require a huge amount of paperwork to fill out or documents to be sent. There are just 3 essential elements that need to be submitted, these are:
North Korea Travel Visa Status Check
All travellers planning a trip to this unique Asian destination will need to contract the services of an agency or tour operator. They will be the ones to handle the ins and outs of the paperwork and deal with the immigration office directly.
How Much Does a North Korea Visa Cost?
Visa fees can vary widely depending on your nationality, so it’s best to check with the agency who is processing your document.
What Is the Difference Between a Visa VS a Tourist Card?
Essentially they are the same thing, but they come in a different format. Most tourists will get a Tourist Card, which is a piece of paper with their details confirming they have been granted entry to the country on the dates specified.
More Questions and Information
We hope you found the information on this page useful and that you know exactly what you need to do in order to plan a trip to this country. However, if you still have a few doubts pending, we have collected all our most recently asked questions below.
What documents are needed to enter South Korea?
Documents required to enter South Korea with a visa waiver. To enter South Korea visa-free, foreign visitors must have a: Passport valid for the entire stay. Valid K-ETA (mandatory from September 2021) Return/onward travel ticket.
What do you need to be eligible for ETA in Korea?
To be eligible for the Korea ETA, travelers must have a passport issued by one of the eligible countries.
How long is an ETA valid in Korea?
The ETA Korea is a multiple-entry short-stay permit that once issued is valid for 2 years. The maximum length of stay depends on the nationality of the visitor. As shown in the table above, the number of visa-free days in South Korea, now with an ETA, ranges from 30 to 180.
Is South Korea safe for tourists?
As a result, South Korea will be an even safer destination for tourists. All the details provided must match the applicant’s passport exactly. Any incorrect or missing details could lead to processing delays. The approved K-ETA permit is sent to the applicant by email.
Is a K-ETA visa required?
The K-ETA is not a visa and therefore few documents are required. Travelers need their valid passport from a visa waiver country and a recent individual photograph. A credit or debit card to pay the ETA processing fee is also necessary.
Why do people want to travel to South Korea?
For South Korea, the main reason they want to encourage tourism is it comprises nearly 5% of their national gross domestic product. This means the money that foreigners bring into their country supports many of its citizens.
Do you have to worry about visa anxiety?
If you are among the people who get visa anxiety before a trip, do not worry, you are by no means the only one. Even the most experienced travelers still find navigating visa applications tricky from time to time.
Overview
Most visitors to North Korea must obtain a visa in advance from one of the North Korean diplomatic missions. All visitors holding ordinary passports (except South Korea) must obtain a visa prior to entering North Korea. All visitors (except nationals of South Korea) who travel to North Korea for tourism purposes require prior authorization from a travel agency registered with the St…
Visa requirement
North Korean tourist visas are issued in the form of a tourist card for tourists, or on a separate paper for other types of visas. No stamps are stamped inside one's actual passport.
Visa exemption
Citizens of China holding ordinary passports visiting only the Tongrim County as tourists can stay there using the Chinese ID card in lieu of a visa and passport for up to two days. They may also visit Sinuiju for a day trip without a visa.
Holders of diplomatic or service passports issued to nationals of the following countries can visit North Korea without a visa:
South Korea
Nationals of South Korea seeking to visit North Korea cannot use South Korean passports to travel to North Korea. They must instead submit a North/South Korea visitation verification certificate as well as a departure card to the North Korean immigration officer at the port of entry and go through immigration inspection in North Korea. They must also seek authorization from the South Korean government prior to departure.
See also
• Citizenship in North Korea
• North Korean passport
• Nationality Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
• Visa requirements for North Korean citizens
External links
• Media related to Visas of North Korea at Wikimedia Commons