🇵🇭Philippines

🇰🇵North KoreaPH-KP

Philippines to North Korea visa requirements

Q: Is there a visa on arrival or eVisa for North Korea?

No. North Korea offers neither visa-on-arrival nor an eVisa. The tourist card/entry permit must be arranged in advance by your tour company.

Q: Can I travel to North Korea on my own?

No. Independent tourism is not permitted. You must book a full guided package and stay with assigned guides for the entire trip.

Q: Is North Korea open to Filipino tourists in 2026?

Effectively no. As of mid-2026 only Russian passport holders are admitted as tourists; tourism for most other nationalities, including Filipinos, remains suspended.

Q: Will the visa be stamped in my passport?

No. The DPRK issues a tourist card or a separate paper visa rather than stamping your passport.

Q: Where do I apply for the North Korea visa?

You do not apply directly. Your accredited tour operator submits documents and obtains the entry permit, often through the DPRK mission in Beijing.

A Philippine ordinary passport holder needs a visa to enter North Korea (DPRK). There is no visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or eVisa channel. Tourist visas can only be arranged through a state-accredited tour operator, and the visa is issued as a separate tourist card (no passport stamp). Critically, as of mid-2026 general tourism for non-Russian nationals remains suspended, so booking is effectively not possible for Filipino travelers right now. North Korea requires all ordinary passport holders (except South Koreans) to obtain a visa before arrival, and Philippine citizens are no exception. Tourism cannot be arranged independently: a traveler must book a full guided package through a travel company accredited by the State General Bureau of Tourist Guidance, which then secures the tourist card / entry permit. The visa is issued as a tourist card or on a separate sheet rather than stamped in the passport. Following the COVID-era border closure, the DPRK reopened only narrowly: the Rason Special Economic Zone briefly admitted most foreign tourists in February-March 2025 before suspending access again on 5 March 2025. As of June 2026, only Russian passport holders are admitted as tourists, with Western and most other international tourism (including Philippine nationals) still suspended and standard tourist visas not being issued. Therefore the practical verdict for a Filipino traveler is visa-required, with the added caveat that the route is currently not bookable. Travelers should monitor accredited operators (Koryo Tours, Young Pioneer Tours, Uri Tours) and the nearest DPRK diplomatic mission for any reopening.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Tourist visa (issued as a separate tourist card via accredited tour operator; not stamped in passport)

Maximum stay

Typically the duration of the booked guided tour (commonly up to ~30 days as authorized)

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

Approx. EUR 50-90 visa/processing, normally bundled into the tour package price

consular fee only

Processing time

About 1-3 weeks after the tour operator submits documents (varies)

standard track

Validity

Valid for the specific authorized tour dates

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm tourism is open to Philippine nationals

Before anything, verify with an accredited DPRK tour operator whether non-Russian tourists are currently being admitted. As of mid-2026, general tourism remains suspended for most nationalities including Filipinos.

· Status check· Critical first step

/02

Book through a state-accredited tour operator

Independent travel is not allowed. Book a complete guided package (hotel, transfers, guides, meals) through a company recognized by the State General Bureau of Tourist Guidance, e.g. Koryo Tours, Young Pioneer Tours, or Uri Tours.

· Mandatory· Group/guided tour

/03

Submit documents to the operator

Provide your passport details, passport-style photos, completed application form, itinerary, and occupation/employment information. The operator handles the entry-permit and visa arrangements on your behalf.

· Documents

/04

Operator obtains the entry permit and tourist card

The tour company secures the official entry permit. The visa is issued as a tourist card or on a separate paper, not stamped into your passport.

· Tourist card

/05

Collect the visa / tourist card

Depending on routing, the tourist card is issued at the DPRK embassy/consulate handling your case (often in Beijing) or provided just before entry by the operator.

· Pickup

/06

Travel on the approved route with your guides

Enter via the arranged route (typically a flight or train through Beijing) and remain with your assigned guides for the entire visit; deviation is not permitted.

· On arrival· Guided only

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

Philippines -> North Korea · Tourist visa (issued as a separate tourist card via accredited tour operator; not stamped in passport)

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredPhilippine passport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredConfirmed booking with a state-accredited DPRK tour operator

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredCompleted DPRK visa/tourist-card application form

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RequiredRecent passport-sized photographs

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredFull guided tour package paid (hotel, guides, transfers, meals)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredRound-trip / onward travel itinerary (often via Beijing)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedTravel/health insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RequiredOccupation details (journalists/media face extra scrutiny or refusal)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredConfirmation that tourism is currently open to Philippine nationals

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesWikipedia - Visa policy of North Korea Koryo Tours - North Korea Borders Opening Updates (2026)Young Pioneer Tours - When will North Korea open for tourism?

Application link included: Wikipedia - Visa policy of North Korea

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

DPRK tourist visa / tourist cardEUR 50-90Usually bundled into the tour package; charged by the issuing mission

Mandatory guided tour packageFrom approx. EUR 800-2,000+Required; covers hotel, guides, transfers, meals. Price varies by length/itinerary

Tour operator service feeIncluded in packageOperator handles permit and visa processing

Total estimateEUR 850 — EUR 2,100+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Via accredited tour operator

About 1-3 weeks after documents submitted

The only available route. Operator obtains the entry permit and tourist card; timing depends on the operator and DPRK authorities.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No visa-free, VOA, or eVisa channel for Filipinos

All ordinary passport holders except South Koreans must hold a visa before entering the DPRK.

High

/02

Independent tourism is prohibited

Tourists must travel on a guided package booked through an operator accredited by the State General Bureau of Tourist Guidance.

High

/03

General tourism currently suspended

As of mid-2026 only Russian nationals are admitted as tourists; standard tourist visas are not being issued to most other nationalities.

High

/04

Strict route and conduct controls

Travelers must follow the approved itinerary with assigned guides at all times.

Medium

/05

Heightened screening of certain professions

Journalists and media workers are frequently refused or subject to extra scrutiny.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30 · major

Philippines to North Korea route verified

Confirmed via Wikipedia visa policy of North Korea and accredited tour operators (Koryo Tours) that Philippine ordinary passport holders require a visa obtained through an accredited tour operator, issued as a tourist card. Noted that as of mid-2026 general tourism remains suspended for non-Russian nationals.

/09 — The questions