China

→

North Korea

Do China Citizens Need a Visa for North Korea in 2026?

Visa Required

Chinese citizens require a visa to visit North Korea (DPRK). Tourism is strictly regulated, and all travel must be booked through a government-approved tour operator, who will handle the visa application process on your behalf.

Visa Required

Last updatedApril 17, 2026

Exclusive Offers

FLIGHTS

Cheapest Flights to North Korea

via Kiwi

Find Tickets to North Korea

ESIM

Get an eSIM for North Korea

via Airalo

Get eSIM

TRANSFER

Airport Transfer in North Korea

via GetTransfer

Book a Ride

Step-by-Step Application Process

Book an Approved Tour

You cannot travel to North Korea independently. You must book a tour package through a designated, government-approved travel agency (many are based in China, like Dandong or Beijing).

Submit Documents to the Agency

Provide the required documents (passport scan, photo, employment details) directly to your chosen travel agency. They will submit the application to the North Korean authorities.

Wait for Approval

The travel agency will inform you once your visa is approved. This process typically takes a few weeks.

Receive the Tourist Card

For tourists, the visa is usually issued as a separate 'Tourist Card' (a blue booklet) rather than a sticker in your passport. You will receive this from your tour guide right before departure (e.g., in Dandong or Beijing).

Travel to North Korea

Travel with your tour group. You must surrender your Tourist Card upon departure from North Korea; it will not remain in your passport.

Required Documents

—Clear scan of your valid Chinese passport (at least 6 months validity)
—Digital passport-sized photograph (standard requirements)
—Completed application form (provided by the tour agency, detailing your employment and personal history)
—Detailed itinerary (managed entirely by the tour operator)

Important Tips

•Independent travel is impossible; you will be accompanied by government guides at all times.
•Journalists and professional photographers face severe restrictions and often require a special visa type, not a standard tourist visa.
•Do not attempt to bring in restricted items (e.g., certain literature, GPS devices, or media critical of the DPRK).

Easiest Way to Get It

Booking a tour starting in Dandong, China, is the most common and streamlined way for Chinese citizens. The agency there handles the entire visa process and hands you the Tourist Card before you cross the border.

Visa rules can change. Always verify with the official embassy.

What about North Korea → China?

North Korea→

China

Visa Required

China Passport Strength

#111

World Rank

111

Visa-Free Destinations

View full China passport details →

Discover North Korea

North Korea (DPRK) is one of the world's most isolated and secretive nations, offering a travel experience unlike any other. Tourism is strictly controlled by the state, and visitors must be accompanied by government-sanctioned guides at all times. It is a land of massive monuments, profound political history, and stark ideological contrasts.

Pyongyang

The showcase capital, characterized by brutalist architecture, massive plazas, and monuments dedicated to the nation's leaders.

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War MuseumKumsusan Palace of the SunTower of the Juche IdeaPyongyang Cold Noodles (Naengmyeon)Kimchi

Best Time: April to May (Spring) or September to October (Autumn)

Currency: North Korean Won (KPW) - However, tourists usually use EUR, USD, or RMB

Daily Budget: $150-300/day (Usually all-inclusive in the tour price)

Safety & Scams

Tourism is strictly regulated; laws are extremely harsh and any perceived disrespect toward the leadership or government can lead to long-term detention or hard labor; follow your guides' instructions without question; never bring religious materials or politically sensitive books; photography is strictly controlled; the country is virtually free of petty crime but politically highly high-risk; healthcare is extremely limited for foreigners outside Pyongyang; consular protection is non-existent for many nations.

Getting Around

Travel is exclusively via pre-arranged government tours; the Pyongyang Metro is iconic and deep-seated; domestic travel is via tour buses; internal flights (Air Koryo) are occasional; individual travel is prohibited.

Cultural Etiquette

Show absolute respect toward the leaders' statues and portraits; always bow when instructed; never fold an image of a leader; keep your voice down in public; do not question the political system or leadership during conversations.

Internet & Connectivity

The internet is strictly non-existent for tourists; few top-level hotels may offer limited, highly-monitored email services; foreigners can buy a local SIM card with restricted data, but it is very expensive; there is no Wi-Fi in public places.

Explore North Korea travel guide →