Although North Korea (DPRK) may be the most closed nation on earth, getting your North Korean visa through Uri Tours is a simple process.
Firstly, you must join either a group tour or a private tour. All tourists to North Korea must be on an approved, guided tour organized by an authorized tour operator such as Uri Tours. Independent travel to North Korea is not possible. It is not possible to organize your North Korean visa yourself.
After joining a tour, we handle the North Korean visa application process from start to finish. Everything we need can be conveniently given to us online, we never need your physical passport. Our listed tour prices include the North Korean visa fee and processing.
All we need from you is the following:
- A filled-out visa application form (online)
- A photocopy of your passport
- A passport-style photo
We lodge your North Korean visa application and once it is approved, your North Korean visa will be issued on a separate paper card, not inside your passport. We collect this on your behalf at the DPRK consulate in Beijing. You receive this paper card at our meeting point on the day of your tour departure. You’re ready to go!
Yes, it’s that easy! Read below for some frequently asked questions.
A North Korean visa card issued by the DPRK embassy in Beijing.
Table of Contents
DO I NEED TO SEND YOU MY PHYSICAL PASSPORT?
No. All we require is a filled out visa application form (online), a passport scan and a passport-style photo. Your North Korean visa will be issued on a separate paper card and given to you on the day of departure.
WHICH NATIONALITIES ARE INELIGIBLE FOR A NORTH KOREAN VISA?
Those traveling on South Korean passports are ineligible for a North Korean tourist visa. Those traveling on the U.S and Malaysian passports are also currently restricted from visiting North Korea by their respective governments. We are currently unable to take those traveling on South Korean, U.S and Malaysian passports on our tours.
I’M A U.S CITIZEN, CAN I GET A NORTH KOREA VISA?
On September 1, 2017, the U.S Department of State declared all U.S passports invalid for travel to, through or within the DPRK unless the travel meets certain criteria. Unfortunately, tourism does not meet the criteria. We are currently unable to take those traveling on U.S passports on our tours. If this policy were to change, the process of obtaining a North Korean tourist visa for U.S citizens remains the same as other nationalities.
WHO ELSE IS INELIGIBLE FOR A NORTH KOREAN VISA?
Professional journalists are ineligible for a North Korean tourist visa. Journalists are historically only permitted to visit the DPRK during special events and other extraordinary prearranged circumstances. If you are a part or full-time photographer or work for media in some other capacity, contact us and we will advise. All travelers on tourist visas must be visiting North Korea strictly for the sole purpose of tourism.
I HAVE VISITED SOUTH KOREA BEFORE, IS THIS A PROBLEM?
No. Having a South Korean visa and/or entry and exit stamps from South Korea in your passport is not a problem.
DOES visit NORTH KOREA AFFECT TRAVEL TO OTHER COUNTRIES?
No. Visiting North Korea will not affect your travel to any other countries. Your North Korean visa is also issued on a separate visa card, not in your passport. Your passport will not be stamped on entry or exit to the DPRK.
CAN I GET MY NORTH KOREAN VISA IN MY PASSPORT INSTEAD?
This is possible only if you have a DPRK consulate in your home country. On request, we can organize for your North Korean visa to be issued at your specified DPRK consulate. This process takes more time and you must organize an appointment with the DPRK consulate to collect the visa. The North Korean visa fee will be payable in cash at the DPRK consulate.
AFTER MY NORTH KOREAN VISA IS APPROVED, DO I NEED FURTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION?
From our departure point, all that is required to enter North Korea is your passport and your North Korean visa. Three immigration forms you need to fill out will be issued to you on your flight or train.
The majority of our tours depart from China, most commonly Beijing but often Dandong, Shanghai, and Shenyang. Departures from Vladivostok, Russia are also possible. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure they have the appropriate Chinese or Russian visa to join and return from their tour with us. Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenyang enjoy either a 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit policy which may prove useful, however, there are associated risks we have outlined here.
I AM NOT VISITING AS A TOURIST, CAN YOU ASSIST ME TO GET A NORTH KOREAN VISA?
Yes. Uri Tours is a full-service North Korea destination management company. We can provide visa service to delegations with arranged visa permissions.
CAN I ENTER ANYTIME DURING THE VISA PERIOD?
No. Your entry date and port of entry must strictly reflect that shown on your North Korean visa. It is not possible to join your scheduled tour late.