North Korea Tourist Visa for Pakistani Passport Holders
Fee Breakdown
Key Requirements
- ✓ Tourism to North Korea is extremely restricted and is not open to general public travel from Pakistan
- ✓ All visits must be arranged through a state-approved North Korean tour operator such as Koryo Tours or Young Pioneer Tours
- ✓ Individual independent travel is not permitted under any circumstances
- ✓ All itineraries are fixed and monitored by government-assigned guides
- ✓ Visitors must travel in organized group tours only
- ✓ Journalists, individuals with South Korean connections, or those with dual nationality involving South Korea are typically denied entry
- ✓ Pakistani passport holders face very significant restrictions and approvals are exceptionally rare
- ✓ Entry may be refused without explanation at any point, including at the border
Documents Required
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Contact a state-approved North Korea tour operator such as Koryo Tours, Young Pioneer Tours, or Uri Tours, as independent applications are not possible
Step 2: Select an approved group tour package and confirm your booking with the operator, who will submit your details to the Korean International Travel Company in Pyongyang
Step 3: Wait for approval from Pyongyang, which can take several weeks to months and may be declined without reason
Step 4: Once approved, the tour operator will guide you on submitting your passport and application to the relevant North Korean diplomatic mission
Step 5: The North Korean embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over Pakistani applicants is typically in Beijing, China, as North Korea has no resident embassy in Pakistan
Step 6: Submit all required documents in person or via the tour operator to the embassy in Beijing
Step 7: Await visa issuance, collect passport, and travel to North Korea strictly following the approved tour itinerary
Step 8: Upon arrival, follow all instructions from assigned government guides at all times throughout the visit
⚠️ Important Notes
North Korea is one of the most restricted travel destinations in the world. Pakistani nationals face severe limitations in obtaining entry. Travel advisories from the Pakistani government strongly caution against travel to North Korea due to unpredictable political conditions, risk of arbitrary detention, lack of consular access, and the absence of a Pakistani embassy in the country. No Pakistani consular assistance will be available if you encounter difficulties inside North Korea. The country has at various times suspended all foreign tourism entirely, including during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers must be aware that rules, fees, and access conditions can change without notice. All visa fees listed are estimates as official published fee schedules for Pakistani nationals are not publicly available.
Common Rejection Reasons
- ✗ Failure to use a state-approved North Korean tour operator for the application
- ✗ Any connection to South Korea, South Korean citizenship, or dual nationality involving South Korea
- ✗ Background as a journalist, human rights worker, or government official
- ✗ Incomplete or inconsistent application documents
- ✗ Denial from Pyongyang authorities without stated reason, which is common
- ✗ Active travel bans or suspension of tourism by North Korean authorities
- ✗ Previous visits to South Korea noted in travel history
- ✗ Association with religious missionary activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, North Korea does accept foreign tourists including Pakistanis, but access is extremely restricted and rarely granted. All visits must be through state-approved tour operators and independently arranged travel is completely prohibited. Approval from Pyongyang is required before a visa is issued and can take many weeks.
North Korea does not maintain a resident embassy in Pakistan. Pakistani applicants typically need to apply through the North Korean embassy in Beijing, China, in coordination with an approved tour operator.
Tourist stays are generally between 5 and 14 days depending on the approved tour package. Extensions are very rarely granted and all movements within the country are strictly controlled by government-assigned guides.
Yes. Mobile phones with foreign SIM cards, GPS devices, political materials, religious literature, and items deemed subversive by North Korean authorities are prohibited or heavily restricted. Customs inspection upon arrival is thorough and can be extensive.
Journalists, reporters, and media professionals face additional scrutiny and are almost always denied tourist entry. Special press visas require a separate and very lengthy application process with extremely low approval rates.
Tourists are generally expected to use Euros, US Dollars, or Chinese Yuan. The North Korean Won is not made available to tourists. Credit and debit cards are not accepted and ATMs are not accessible to foreign visitors.
Ready to Apply?
Apply through the official portal. Always use official government/embassy websites.
Apply for North Korea Tourist Visa →