Embassy
Embassy of North Korea in South Africa
958 Waterpoort Street
North Korea visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need a visa for North Korea, from its embassy or consulate.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
PRK
North Korea
Visa needed
Apply at the embassy or consulate.
- Visa
- Required
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Find North Korea's embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
Book an appointment early; processing can take several weeks.
Get your North Korea visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Documents you'll need
For the Tourist visa
What to carry
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, with 2 blank pages
- Return or onward ticket
- Where you'll stay: hotel booking or your host's address
- Proof you can pay for the trip: bank statement or cards
- Visa application form, filled in and signed
- 2 recent passport photos on a white background
- Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months
- Travel insurance for the whole trip
- Visa fee receipt
- Covering letter or invitation, if you have one
Embassies can ask for more. Check the official website before you apply.
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C FAdapter for some
- MoneyKPW ₩
- Time+7h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- 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 Africa passports
Going to North Korea
Easier trips nearby
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Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for North Korea?
South African citizens need a visa for North Korea, from its embassy or consulate.
Where do I apply for a North Korea visa?
At North Korea's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Book an appointment early, as it can take several weeks.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter North Korea?
We have no record of North Korea relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do north korean citizens need a visa for South Africa?
North Korean citizens need a visa for South Africa, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to North Korea?
None of the 10 other Africa passports we compared enter without applying first.
Which countries near North Korea are easier for south african citizens?
Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Georgia Kazakhstan, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to North Korea?
Find North Korea's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
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 South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck