FAQ: Can Americans travel to North Korea?

Update: On August 8, 2024 the US State Department once again extended restrictions on the use of a US passport for travel to North Korea until August 31, 2025, unless otherwise revoked by the US Secretary of State.

Update: As of 6 February 2019 the US State Department Travel restrictions prohibiting the use of a US passport for travel to, in, and through the DPRK remain in place.
Keep an eye on this space. If the US Secretary of State makes a change in the policy, we will update this post immediately and send out word by newsletter as well as across our social media, including, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Update: As of 1 September 2018 the United States State Department has renewed travel restrictions on the use of American passports for travel in the North Korea (DPRK) without special validation for another year.

Unfortunately, Koryo Tours will not take those travelling on US passports to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (‘DPRK’ or ‘North Korea’) in accordance with the US State Department restrictions, effective September 1, 2017 (renewed annually since then), which invalidate US passports for travel to the DPRK without special validation.

The US State Department may grant on-time-use special validations for the following activities:

1) professional journalism
2) officially sponsored Intentional Red Cross or American Red Cross humanitarian missions
3) trips justified for compelling humanitarian reasons and
4) trips otherwise deemed to be in the US national interest.

You can find more information about the application process for special validations here.

US Citizens in North Korea & Humanitarian Projects

Koryo Tours is unable to assist with special validations applications, but can direct US citizens with interest in contributing to humanitarian work in the DPRK to responsible non-governmental organizations working across a range of fields. Each year Koryo Tours supports small-scale humanitarian projects, often towards a specific and achievable goal. These projects are carried out in conjunction with registered charities and with third-party oversight. We encourage all those interested in travel to the DPRK to consider supporting such projects. Please contact us for more details.

While we believe that individuals are capable of traveling responsibly on their own accord, Koryo Tours will not arrange tours to the DPRK for those traveling on US passports without validation. A critical part of our work is ensuring that all our travellers fully understand and can follow the local laws of the destinations we visit. Along these lines, we ask our American clients to fully understand and follow the rules of their own government.

Is The Situation Likely to Change?

The situation is likely dependent on a breakthrough in DPRK-US talks. If this situation changes, we will send out more information by newsletter and across our social media. Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates on US citizens traveling to North Korea.

I Am a US Citizen, Can I Join Any Other Tours?

Koryo Tours also operates tours to other fascinating destinations, such as Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, the Russian Far East, and Kazakhstan. American citizens are welcome to join on any of our international destination tours.

Updated 8 August 2024.

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