Passport Health Passports and Visas helps you get your passport and visa fast! Learn more about the visa requirements for your destination.

Do I Need a Visa for North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or DPRK)?

Yes. A valid visa is required to travel to North Korea. However, North Korea does not have an embassy in the United States, so the visa must be obtained overseas, and Passport Health cannot assist with this process. Most US citizens planning to travel to North Korea obtain their visa at the DPRK Embassy in Beijing, China. However, visas are only issued upon authorization from the DPRK Foreign Ministry in Pyongyang, so you may want to check with the DPRK Embassy in Beijing to confirm the authorization to issue you a visa has been received before departing for China. The phone number of the visa office is (86-10) 6532-6639. If you plan to enter North Korea from China, note that you will need to obtain a multiple entry Chinese visa. In addition to a visa, it is necessary to have a valid passport to travel to North Korea.

Sources: U.S. State Department

Can I Obtain My Visa for North Korea on Arrival?

No. On arrival visas for North Korea are not available. If you attempt to enter the country without the proper travel documents, you face fines, detention, arrest, and imprisonment, including long sentences with hard labor. Even with proper documentation, travelers to North Korea have still been imprisoned and subjected to inhumane treatment, so great caution is advised for travel to this destination.

What Types of Materials Support My North Korea Visa Application?

To apply for a North Korea visa, you will need to contact the North Korean Embassy in China or another foreign country for the latest guidance since the DPRK does not maintain an embassy in the US.

How Do I Obtain My Visa for North Korea?

To obtain a visa to travel to North Korea, please contact the Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in Beijing for the most up to date requirements. The Embassy’s contact information is:
No. 11, Ritan Bei Lu,
Jianguomen Wai,
Chaoyang District
Beijing, China 100600
Telephone: (86-10) 6532-6639 (Visa Office)
Telephone: (86-10) 65312-1186
Fax: (86-10) 6532-6056

What Else Do I Need to Do Before Traveling to North Korea?

Make sure your US passport is still valid and will be for 6 months after the date you plan to exit North Korea. If you have an upcoming trip and your passport is about to expire, we can help! Passport Health Passports and Visas’s expedited service gets your passport back to you in 1-3 business days.

There are myriad health and security risks in North Korea, so be sure you have prepared accordingly. Schedule an appointment at the Passport Health travel clinic nearest to you to get all of the destination-specific health advice, vaccines, medications, and travel supplies you need for a healthy trip to North Korea.