Travel to North Korea: The Guide

This guide contains almost all the information you need to prepare your trip to North Korea. Below, you’ll find all of the subjects which we cover in this guide. You can click on them to skip directly to the sections you’re interested in.

• Can I travel to North Korea?

• Why travel to North Korea?

• How do I get a visa for North Korea?

• How do I get to North Korea?

• Vaccines and medicine

• Travel insurance for North Korea

• Travel guide

• Internet

• Telephones

• Money, ATMs and credit cards

• What to bring

• When to travel to North Korea

• Frequently asked questions and common sense

Can I travel to North Korea?

Yes, traveling to North Korea is possible, regardless of your nationality (unless you’re South Korean). However, just like with Tibet, unless you hold a Chinese passport, you will need to contract a tour agency to visit North Korea.

Keep in mind that on some occasions, there may be further restrictions for visitors from certain countries (normally Americans, Israelis and Japanese people).

Why travel to North Korea?

In my opinion, there are various reasons to travel to North Korea. To start, visiting one of the most inaccessible and unknown countries in the world is tempting at the least. In addition, for those of you who, like me, are interested in China, North Korea offers a unique opportunity to get an idea of what China was like before it opened up economically. Apart from all this, the Arirand Festival is without a doubt an impressive spectacle and is a reason to go on its own.

Arirang Festival

How do I get a visa for North Korea?

As I have already mentioned, to travel to North Korea, you have to contract a organized trip with an agency first.

The procedure for obtaining the visa is the following:

• 1. Reserve a trip with an authorized agency

• 2. The agency will contact the North Korean authorities and will tell you when your application is approved (not more than 2 months from your date of departure)

• 3. Go to the North Korean embassy or diplomatic mission closest to your place of residence, where they will print the visa for you on the same day (you can also send in your passport via mail).

Keep in mind that if in addition to North Korea you’re also going to visit Beijing, you can also get your visa in the Chinese capital, where, in fact, the majority of the agencies are located.

Visa requirements:

• Recent passport-sized photo on a white background

• Photocopy of the page of your passport with your personal information

• Completed application form (the tour agency will give it to you)

• Letter of invitation (provided by the tour agency)

• Document from your employer or school confirming your position

How to get to North Korea

The majority of trips to North Korea start in Beijing (where many people obtain their visas). Because of this, you’re going to have to get a Chinese visa valid for two entries or a 72 hour transit visa (in the case that you have a flight to North Korea with a layover in Beijing).
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/travel-to-north-korea/