Details on the US State Department travel restrictions to North Korea. Updated 24 July 2026.
FAQ: Can Americans travel to North Korea?
Update: On July 2, 2026, the US State Department once again extended restrictions on the use of a US passport for travel to North Korea until August 31, 2027, unless otherwise revoked by the US Secretary of State.
As of 2026, 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.
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 one-time-use special validations for the following activities:
1) professional journalism
2) officially sponsored International 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.
Can US dual citizens travel to North Korea?
It was reported on 17 June 2026 that North Korea is banning US dual citizens from visiting the country.
Our DPRK counterpart advised that Russian visitors holding US or ROK citizenship are barred from entry to the DPRK (North Korea).
As future events are not confirmed as of yet, no policy is made or announced as regards eligibility for visas.
For future events in North Korea organised by Koryo Tours, Koryo Tours will advise about North Korean visa policy in effect at the time of visa application.
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?
I Am a US Citizen, Can I Join Any Other Tours?
Koryo Tours also operates tours to other fascinating destinations in Mongolia, Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. American citizens are welcome to join on any of our international destination tours.
Updated 24 July 2026.
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