North Korea Visa and Passport Requirements

Passports

To enter North Korea, a passport valid for the duration of stay is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Note

Tourism in North Korea (Democratic People's Republic) is currently only permitted through officially recognised travel companies. Visas must be arranged by an authorised tourism partner. The only other permitted entry is on the basis of a government invitation; embassies will not issue a visa without this.

Visas

Visas are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visa Note

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.

It is not possible to enter North Korea from South Korea.

Types and Cost

Visa fees vary hugely depending on the time of application and nationality of the applicant; check with the consulate/embassy.

Application to

Applications should be made by an officially recognised tour operator. 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.

Working days

If your tour operator applies via the embassy in Beijing, you can usually collect the visa from the embassy the day before the tour begins.

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. 

This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.

Embassies and tourist offices

Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the UK

Telephone: (020) 8992 4965.
Website:
Address: , 73 Gunnersbury Avenue, London, W5 4LP,
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-1700.

British Embassy in North Korea

Telephone: 2381 7982.
Website: http://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-pyonyang
Address: , Munsu-Dong Compound, Pyongyang, ,
Opening times:

Mon-Thurs 0900-1800; Fri 0900-1300.