Since the division of the Korean Peninsula in 1945, North Korea has been one of the most isolated countries in the world. In recent years, however, North Korea has been slowly opening up to the outside world and a number of Western countries have been allowed to establish diplomatic relations with the country. While tourism to North Korea is still relatively rare, it is possible for citizens of certain countries to obtain a tourist visa and visit the country.
There are very few countries that allow their citizens to travel to North Korea. The United States, Canada, and most European countries do not allow their citizens to travel there.
What countries can you travel to with a North Korean passport?
As of February 2023, North Korean passport holders can travel visa free to 10 countries and territories:
Belarus
Cook Islands
Dominica
Guyana
Haiti
Kyrgyzstan
Micronesia
Niue
This is great news for North Koreans who want to travel abroad!
The only country that North Korea restricts visitors from is South Korea (the Republic of Korea). South Korean citizens need special permission from both governments in order to visit North Korea.
How many countries can North Korea visit
The North Korean passport is not highly ranked compared to other passports in the world. North Korean passport holders have visa-free access to only 38 destinations, including Dominica, Madagascar, and Seychelles. There are 191 destinations for which a North Korean passport holder requires a visa prior to traveling.
You need a visa to travel to North Korea. If you arrive without a valid visa, you may be detained or arrested.
Can a US citizen travel to North Korea?
US citizens cannot travel to North Korea without a special validation from the Department of State. Special Validations are granted only if it is in the US national interest to do so. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk.
If you have been to North Korea, you will need to apply for a US visa before you can enter the country. However, you can still visit the US after visiting North Korea if you have an ESTA visa waiver.
What is the most powerful passport?
Japan is the world’s most powerful passport according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index. The Japanese passport gives holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190 destinations around the world. Australia, Canada, Greece, and Malta also have powerful passports, giving holders access to 189 destinations. Hungary and Poland have passports that give holders access to 188 destinations, while Lithuania and Slovakia have passports that give holders access to 187 destinations.
North Korea is an interesting and different destination because it is still under a nominally communist rule. It is one of the least visited by westerners, with only 6,000 visitors per year. It is almost the forbidden fruit of travel.
Can British people go to North Korea
Visas are required for travel to North Korea. For further information, please contact the Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in London. All visitors to North Korea must register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if their visit is for more than 24 hours.
The North Korean government strictly controls the movement of its citizens within the country and does not allow them to freely travel abroad. Emigration and immigration are also tightly controlled. Consequently, most North Koreans have very little knowledge or understanding of the outside world.
Can you take pictures in North Korea?
Most people believe that it is not allowed to take photos and videos in North Korea. However, this is not the case. You are allowed to take pictures and videos in North Korea, as long as you are not taking pictures of military installations or of the government officials.
It is a common misconception that only westerners are restricted from travel to North Korea. 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.
What happens if a US citizen goes to North Korea
US nationals are advised not to travel to North Korea due to the high risk of arrest and long-term detention. The US government has no diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea, and therefore is unable to provide assistance to US citizens in North Korea. US citizens in North Korea are also subject to North Korean laws and regulations, which are often unclear and subject to change without notice. There have been reports of arbitrary arrest and detention of US citizens in North Korea.
It is forbidden for US citizens to travel to North Korea due to its closed border status for both US citizens and citizens of other countries.
Do any Americans live in North Korea?
The American presence in North Korea is small but significant. The majority of Americans in North Korea are defectors or prisoners of war from the Korean War, as well as their locally born descendants. Additionally, there are occasional tours and group travel which bring Americans into North Korea from China, some with temporal lodging and stay. The American presence in North Korea provides an important cultural and economic bridge between the two countries.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program of the United States Government that allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or while in transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. The program applies to all U.S. states and territories.
The VWP country list includes: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
U.S. territories not included in the VWP are American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Warp Up
The citizens of the following countries can travel to North Korea: China, Russia, Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
travel to North Korea is possible from a number of states, with varying levels of difficulty. Those with the least difficulty and most developed relations are China, South Korea, and Russia, and to a lesser extent, Malaysia. The United States, Japan, and most European countries maintain relations with North Korea, but travel is more difficult.
