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🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
🇰🇵North KoreaSA-KP

Saudi Arabia to North Korea visa requirements

Yes, a visa is required. Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holders cannot travel independently to North Korea and there is no visa-free, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival channel. A DPRK tourist visa (entry permit) must be arranged exclusively through a state-authorized tour operator, who coordinates with the Korea International Travel Company (KITC). Note: as of 2026 North Korea remains largely closed to general tourism (currently effectively only Russian nationals are admitted), so departures are limited and timelines uncertain. A Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holder needs a visa to enter North Korea (DPRK) for tourism. There is no mutual visa-waiver agreement, no eVisa portal, and no visa-on-arrival counter open to Saudi citizens. North Korea issues tourist entry permits only to travelers who book a guided tour with an authorized operator (such as Koryo Tours, Young Pioneer Tours, or Uri Tours); the operator submits the application to the Korea International Travel Company (KITC), and the approved visa is issued as a separate document (not stamped in the passport), usually handed to the traveler at the pre-tour meeting in China or at the point of entry. The visa is single-entry and its duration matches the booked tour (commonly 7-16 days). The visa cost is bundled into the all-inclusive tour package rather than charged as a standalone fee. Critically, as of mid-2026 the DPRK remains effectively closed to general international tourism: a brief window in early 2025 was suspended again on 5 March 2025, and currently only Russian nationals are being admitted as tourists. Saudi travelers should treat North Korea as visa-required and confirm current admissibility directly with an authorized operator before making plans.
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 / entry permit (arranged via authorized tour operator + KITC)
Maximum stay
Matches booked tour, commonly 7-16 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
No standalone government fee published; cost bundled into tour package (tours typically from ~USD 1,000-1,500)
consular fee only
Processing time
Apply 4-8 weeks before travel
standard track
Validity
Tied to the dates of the booked tour
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm North Korea is currently admitting your nationality
As of 2026 the DPRK is largely closed to general tourism (effectively Russian nationals only). Contact an authorized operator first to confirm whether Saudi tourists are being admitted before planning anything.
· Critical first step
/02
Choose and book an authorized tour operator
You cannot travel independently or apply at an embassy directly. Book a group or private tour with a state-recognized operator such as Koryo Tours, Young Pioneer Tours, or Uri Tours.
· Mandatory· Group or private tour
/03
Submit application documents to the operator
Provide a completed DPRK visa application form, a color passport-bio-page scan, and a white-background passport photo. Your physical passport is not surrendered.
· Online submission accepted
/04
Operator files with KITC for approval
The tour operator submits your application to the Korea International Travel Company (KITC) and the relevant DPRK mission. Approval typically takes several weeks.
· Allow 4-8 weeks
/05
Pay the all-inclusive tour package
The visa fee is included in the tour price; settle the package balance per the operator's schedule.
· Payment to operator
/06
Collect the visa and enter on the guided tour
The approved visa is issued as a separate paper document (not in the passport), usually handed over at the pre-tour meeting in China/Russia or at the entry point (Beijing airport or Beijing-Pyongyang train).
· Separate document· Guided entry only
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Saudi Arabia -> North Korea · Tourist visa / entry permit (arranged via authorized tour operator + KITC)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredSaudi ordinary passport valid at least 6 months beyond your last day in North Korea
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredBooking confirmed with a state-authorized DPRK tour operator
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredCompleted DPRK visa/entry permit application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredColor scan of passport bio page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredWhite-background passport-size photograph
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredSigned tour terms and conditions with the operator
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedProof of onward/return travel out of North Korea
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredFull tour package payment (visa fee included)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedConfirmation that Saudi nationals are currently being admitted (2026 restrictions)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedNo prohibited items (satellite phones, certain publications); declare electronics
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
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.
Application link included: Young Pioneer Tours - How to get a North Korean visa (2026)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Standalone government visa feeNot published separatelyVisa cost is bundled into the tour package rather than billed on its own
Tour package (short group tour from Beijing)~USD 1,000-1,500All-inclusive; includes the entry permit, guides, accommodation, transport
Longer / private customized toursUSD 1,500+Higher cost depending on length, route, and group size
Total estimateUSD 1,000USD 1,500+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-free or visa-waiver agreement
Saudi Arabia and North Korea have no mutual visa-waiver; all Saudi tourists need a visa.
High
/02
No eVisa or visa-on-arrival counter
There is no online portal or walk-in counter for ordinary Saudi tourists; entry permits are issued only via KITC.
High
/03
Mandatory guided tour
Independent travel is not permitted; a visa is only issued to those booked on an authorized guided tour.
High
/04
Tourism largely suspended in 2026
The DPRK reclosed to most foreign tourists on 5 March 2025; currently effectively only Russian nationals are admitted.
Medium
/05
US/South Korean passport exclusion does not apply
Saudi ordinary passport holders are eligible in principle (the only barred nationalities are US and South Korean), but admissibility still depends on current DPRK policy.
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
Saudi Arabia to North Korea route verified
Confirmed visa-required status for Saudi ordinary passports: entry permit obtained only via authorized tour operator and KITC; single entry, duration matches tour, fee bundled in package. Noted 2026 closure of general tourism (effectively Russian nationals only) following the 5 March 2025 re-suspension.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can a Saudi citizen visit North Korea without a visa?
No. There is no visa-free, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival option. Every Saudi ordinary passport holder needs a DPRK entry permit arranged through an authorized tour operator.
Can I apply for the visa myself at a North Korean embassy?+
Is the visa stamped in my passport?+
How much does it cost?+
How early should I apply?+
Can I actually go right now in 2026?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Saudi Arabia passport

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