Russian Federation to North Korea visa requirements

Russian ordinary passport holders need a tourist visa to enter North Korea (DPRK). There is no visa-free entry, no eVisa, and no visa on arrival. The visa must be arranged in advance through an authorized tour operator (the operator files with the Korea International Travel Company), and it is issued on a separate paper card collected before entry, usually in China or Russia. Note: as of mid-2026 DPRK tourism is broadly suspended, with Russian nationals being the main exception currently able to travel. A Russia (RU) ordinary passport holder traveling to North Korea (KP) for tourism requires a visa obtained before travel. North Korea operates one of the most restrictive entry regimes in the world: all foreign tourists must travel on a guided tour organized by an authorized operator, and the operator submits the visa application to the Korea International Travel Company (KITC) on the traveler's behalf. The DPRK visa is printed on a separate paper document (tourist card) rather than stamped in the passport, and is typically handed to the traveler at a pre-tour briefing in China or Russia just before crossing the border. There is no visa-free agreement, no eVisa portal, and no visa-on-arrival for Russian tourists. North Korea is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Recent context (2024-2026) is critical: North Korea closed its borders in January 2020 and tourism has remained largely suspended. A brief reopening of the Rason Special Economic Zone in February-early March 2025 was abruptly reversed on 5 March 2025, after which access was suspended for all foreigners except Russian nationals. As of June 2026 the country remains officially closed to general international tourism, with Russians being the principal exception still able to arrange trips. Pyongyang has not reopened to Western tourists. Travelers should confirm current status and route options with a reputable authorized operator, as openings have repeatedly reversed at short notice. The required passport validity is at least six months beyond the intended stay, and proof of onward travel is expected.