North Korea visa requirements for American citizens
North Korea is not letting in american citizens at the moment.
USA
United States
PRK
North Korea
Not allowed to enter
Entry is closed to this passport.
- Visa
- Not allowed
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for American citizens in North Korea
- U.S. passports holders must obtain a special passport validation from the U.S. federal government before travel.
- Such validations are only ever issued if travel is in the interests of US national security.
- United States citizens require a visa when traveling to North Korea; as there is no North Korean diplomatic mission in the United States, US citizens must obtain a visa from a diplomatic mission in a third country.
- U.S. secretary of state Rex Tillerson authorized a ban on American travel to North Korea that went into effect in August 2017, following the death of Otto Warmbier, a US student who was detained in North Korea and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster.
- The U.S. government advises its citizens not to visit North Korea for any reason due to the continuing serious risk of arrest, long-term detention, and the threat of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals.
What to do
North Korea is not admitting travellers on this passport. Check the official government source for exceptions.
Coming from United States
- Plugs C FAdapter needed
- MoneyKPW ₩
- Time+21h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageKorean
- Emergencylocal numbers only police
Planning your North Korea trip
- Pyongyang museums and monumentsTours commonly visit war museums, memorials and monuments to the country’s leaders and ruling party. Guides control access and photography.
- Panmunjom and the Demilitarized ZoneThis heavily guarded border area is a common tour stop. Stay with your group because the surrounding area contains minefields and other traps.
- MansudaeThis monument site has statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Follow your guide’s instructions about photographs.
- Friendship ExhibitionThe exhibition displays gifts given to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il from around the world. Photography inside is prohibited.
Scams to watch for in North Korea
- Overcharging through missing change and rough conversionsSellers often lack change. If you pay with a large note, you may end up paying more than the price. Rough conversions between foreign currencies can also make the final amount hard to check. These problems do not always mean deliberate fraud.
- Theft at Tonghil MarketA small amount of theft occurs at the market. No specific theft method is described.
About North Korea
North Korea is a single-party state on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia.
- Capital
- Pyongyang
- Money
- North Korean won (₩)
- Languages
- Korean
- Time zone
- UTC+09:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +850
Other Americas passports
Going to North Korea
Easier trips nearby
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Questions
Are there special rules for American citizens visiting North Korea?
Do american citizens need a visa for North Korea?
North Korea is not letting in american citizens at the moment.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help american citizens enter North Korea?
We have no record of North Korea relaxing its rules for american citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do north korean citizens need a visa for the United States?
North Korean citizens need a visa for the United States, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to North Korea?
None of the 10 other Americas passports we compared enter without applying first.
Which countries near North Korea are easier for american citizens?
Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia South Korea, and 3 more let american citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to North Korea?
North Korea is not admitting travellers on this passport. Check the official government source for exceptions.
What money is used in North Korea?
North Korean won (₩). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in North Korea?
Korean.
How strong is the United States passport?
It ranks #12 and reaches 150 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck