Entry is restricted or banned under current policy.

Entry is restricted or banned under current policy.

The permitted stay for United States citizens in North Korea depends on the visa type granted at entry. Confirm exact length with the North Korea embassy or consulate before traveling.

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.

For short business visits like meetings or conferences, United States citizens typically enter North Korea under the same rules as tourists. For paid work, long assignments, or activities beyond what a tourist visa allows, a dedicated business or work visa is required. Confirm specifics with the North Korea embassy or consulate.