🇰🇵 North Korea visa requirements for British citizens
Yes — British citizens need a visa to enter North Korea, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
Entry rules for United Kingdom passport holders
British citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to North Korea. Applications generally go through a North Korea embassy or consulate and require a completed form, passport photos, proof of accommodation and onward travel, and sometimes travel insurance. Start the process several weeks before your planned trip, as processing times vary.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official North Korea immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The British passport ranks #20 worldwide, opening 162 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (118 visa-free, 36 with a visa on arrival and 8 with an eTA). North Korea is not among them — it is one of the 19 destinations that still require an embassy visa or an application before departure.
The arrangement is reciprocal: North Korean citizens traveling to United Kingdom face the same requirement (visa required).
Across Eastern Asia as a whole, 6 of 8 destinations are open to British travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About North Korea
- Capital
- Pyongyang
- Region
- Eastern Asia
- Currency
- North Korean won (₩)
- Languages
- Korean
Planning a trip to North Korea?
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Frequently asked questions
Do British citizens need a visa for North Korea?
Yes — British citizens need a visa to enter North Korea, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
What currency is used in North Korea?
The currency in North Korea is the North Korean won (₩). The capital city is Pyongyang.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa required for British citizens traveling to North Korea. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the North Korea embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Asia for British passport holders
Going the other way? United Kingdom visa requirements for North Korean citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.