North Korea visa requirements for South Africans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for South Africans visiting North Korea

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a North Korean Visa.

  • A valid national passport with at least 6 months of validity and two blank pages for stamps. A photocopy of the passport is also required.
  • Two passport photographs.
  •  A copy of identification document is required.
  • Photocopy of a valid travel document.
  • The applicant’s birth certificate or marriage certificate.
  • A bank statement dating back to at least three months from the application period.
  • A proof of continuous flow of income and that you will be able to cater for yourself during your time in the country.
  • Return flight ticket to South Africa

North Korea Visa for South Africans

Facts about North Korea

North Korea is just the place to go to if you are looking to disconnect from the world. The country is regarded as the world’s most isolated nation. The internet and much of the 21st century is still quite unknown to the people living in the country. Tourists visiting North Korea have to make significant compromises as they will be accompanied by two employed guides at all times and hear a biased account of history. If you are patient and have a knack for things like this, this is the ideal destination.
 
Every year, the country receives between 4,000 to 6,000 Western tourists. The average number of foreign visitors in the country every year is 200,000. Concerted efforts are being made to ensure the number of people who visit the country reaches one million.
 
Foreigners are not allowed to take Korean money out of the country. There used to be restrictions on the interaction between foreign tourists and local people. However, those restrictions have been relaxed slightly in recent times. Disruptive behavior by tourists is not tolerated, this can lead to the imprisonment and torture of tourists.
 
South Koreans and journalists are routinely denied entry into North Korea. Only nationals of Singapore and Malaysia are allowed entry into North Korea on normal passports without a visa.

Types of North Korea Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 8-15 days 90 days

General Requirements for North Korea Visa

  • A valid national passport with at least 6 months of validity and two blank pages for stamps. A photocopy of the passport is also required.
  • Two passport photographs.
  •  A copy of identification document is required.
  • Photocopy of a valid travel document.
  • The applicant’s birth certificate or marriage certificate.
  • A bank statement dating back to at least three months from the application period.
  • A proof of continuous flow of income and that you will be able to cater for yourself during your time in the country.
  • Return flight ticket to South Africa
North Korea Tourist visa

North Korea Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The North Korea tourist visa is issued to people who want to enter North Korea for tourism and research purposes.
  • The  visa is issued on a separate paper (tourist card) and not on your passport.
  • Because North Korea is bordered to the North West by China, travelers may have to connect to North Korea through China.
  • To get into North Korea, tourists must join either a group tour or a private tour. Individuals are not allowed to go into Korea on their own or even process their visa by themselves. They are to be accompanied by tour guides whether in groups or as individuals.
  • Rules and regulations laid down by the state for foreigners must be duly followed to avoid harsh treatments.
  • All tourists groups have to be approved and guided.  
  • The tour group is responsible for getting your approved visa at the North Korea consulate in your country. 
  • Note that interactions between foreign tourists and local people are controlled. Locals of North Korea also do not appreciate foreigners taking their pictures without their consent. 
  • It should be noted that journalists are not given free access to information in the country except on special occasions that would be highly scrutinized by military officers.  
  • Sometimes, the North Korea border officials confiscate cell phones of visitors only to return them on their departure date. 
  • Tourists are strongly advised to have a valid travel insurance before setting out to North Korea.
  • The tourist visa is so far the only visa that can be processed for entry into North Korea.

North Korea Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

1057.00 (USD)

North Korea Visa Application Centres & Embassies in South Africa

Location

Address

Pretoria

890,Arcadia Street, Arcadia, 0083, Private Bag X920,Pretoria,South Africa.

(+27) 12 452 1500

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the South African Passport admissible in North Korea?

Yes, South African passports are admissible in North Korea.

Are there stringent regulations for foreigners in North Korea?

The system in North Korea is a thoroughly controlled one. There are regulations on movement in the country and there are measures put in place to ensure these regulations are followed. These regulations also apply to foreigners on tour. There are military officers around every city in the country that monitor people’s movements.

Are there sights to see in North Korea?

There are a lot of sights to see in North Korea. From museums to monuments and to traditional structures. 

Is it easy to do business in North Korea?
North Korea is a communist state and every organisation in the country is state-owned. It will be difficult and likely impossible to own or control a business in North Korea. Private co-operations would not be allowed to function in North Korea.