Home/from/Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)/to/North Korea

🇹🇼Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)

🇰🇵North KoreaTW-KP

Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) to North Korea visa requirements

Q: Can I actually go to North Korea as a tourist right now?

Not realistically. As of June 2026 North Korea admits only Russian nationals as tourists; tourist visas are not being issued to Taiwanese or most other travelers. Check with a specialist operator before planning.

Q: Can I travel independently or apply for the visa myself?

No. Independent travel is banned. You must book a guided group tour through an agency registered with the DPRK tourism bureau, which handles the visa for you.

Q: Will the North Korea visa be stamped in my passport?

Usually not. Tourist visas are typically issued on a separate tourist card, so there is no stamp in your passport.

Q: Is North Korea part of the Schengen area?

No. The Schengen 90/180-day rule and ETIAS do not apply. North Korea has its own strict, separate visa regime.

Q: How long does the visa take and how much does it cost?

When tourism is open, processing is about 2-4 weeks after a tour is confirmed, and the visa fee (roughly EUR 50-80) is normally included in the tour package.

A Taiwan ordinary passport holder needs a visa for North Korea — and as of June 2026 tourist visas are effectively unavailable to all nationalities except Russian citizens, so a leisure trip is not currently possible. North Korea (DPRK) requires every foreign ordinary passport holder to obtain a visa before arrival; there is no visa-free, visa-on-arrival, eVisa or ETA channel for Taiwan passports. Independent travel is prohibited — visitors may only enter on a pre-arranged organized tour booked through a travel agency registered with the DPRK State General Bureau of Tourist Guidance, and the visa is normally issued as a separate tourist card rather than a passport stamp. Crucially, since the COVID-era closure North Korea has not resumed general tourism: as of June 2026 only Russian nationals are admitted as tourists. A brief reopening of the Rason Special Economic Zone in February-March 2025 (open to most nationalities except South Korean, Japanese and US citizens) was abruptly suspended on 5 March 2025 with no replacement. Resumed Beijing-Pyongyang rail and Air China flights from March 2026 mainly serve official delegations and Russian travel. North Korea is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. For a Taiwan traveler the practical reality is: a visa is required, the only legal route is an authorized group tour, and at present tour operators cannot secure tourist visas for Taiwanese (or most non-Russian) visitors. Treat the route as closed for tourism and re-check with a specialist DPRK tour operator before making any 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.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Tourist visa (issued as a separate tourist card via an authorized tour operator) — currently not being issued to Taiwan passport holders

Maximum stay

Typically up to 30 days for the organized tour itinerary; card valid for entry within ~6 months of issue

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

Approx. EUR 50-80 visa/processing fee, normally bundled into the tour package price

consular fee only

Processing time

About 2-4 weeks once a tour is confirmed (when tourism is open)

standard track

Validity

Tourist card valid for use within roughly 6 months of issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm tourism is open to your nationality

As of June 2026, North Korea admits only Russian tourists. Before doing anything else, check with a specialist DPRK tour operator whether Taiwan passport holders can currently be processed.

· Status: closed to most nationalities· Re-verify before planning

/02

Book an organized group tour

Independent travel is banned. You must book through an agency registered with the DPRK State General Bureau of Tourist Guidance (e.g. Koryo Tours, Young Pioneer Tours, Uri Tours), which handles the visa.

· Mandatory guided tour· Agency arranges visa

/03

Submit visa documents to the operator

Provide a passport scan, passport photos, a completed application form, your occupation and employer details. Journalists and certain professions face extra scrutiny or refusal.

· Passport + photos· Honest occupation details

/04

Pay and wait for visa approval

The operator lodges the application with DPRK authorities; approval typically takes 2-4 weeks. The visa is issued as a tourist card, not stamped in the passport.

· 2-4 weeks· Tourist card, no passport stamp

/05

Collect the tourist card / travel via Beijing

Most tours route through Beijing, where the card is collected or presented. Confirm flight (Air China) or train logistics with the operator.

· Usually entry via Beijing· Air/rail arranged by tour

/06

Follow guide rules in-country

Stay with your assigned government guides at all times, do not stray from the itinerary, and respect strict photography and conduct rules.

· Always with guides· Strict photo/conduct rules

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) -> North Korea · Tourist visa (issued as a separate tourist card via an authorized tour operator) — currently not being issued to Taiwan passport holders

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond travel dates

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

required

RequiredConfirmed booking on an authorized DPRK group tour

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

required

RequiredCompleted DPRK visa application form (via tour operator)

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RequiredPassport-size photos

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

required

RequiredTruthful occupation and employer details

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

required

RequiredTour package fully paid (visa fee usually included)

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

required

RequiredConfirmation that Taiwan passports are currently being processed

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

required

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance with evacuation cover

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

recommended

RecommendedCash in EUR, USD or CNY (cards not usable)

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

recommended

RecommendedAvoid prohibited items (GPS devices, certain publications, religious materials)

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.

Official sourcesVisa policy of North Korea — Wikipedia North Korea Borders Opening Updates (2026) — Koryo Tours When will North Korea open for tourism? June 2026 Update — Young Pioneer Tours

Application link included: Visa policy of North Korea — Wikipedia

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa / card processing feeEUR 50-80Usually bundled into the tour price; not paid directly by the traveler

Organized tour package (typical short tour)EUR 800-2,000+Mandatory; covers guides, accommodation, transport and meals in-country

International transport to entry point (Beijing)VariesAir China flights or Beijing-Pyongyang train, often booked separately

Total estimateEUR 50 — EUR 80incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard processing via tour operator

2-4 weeks

The only route — the agency lodges the application with DPRK authorities after the tour is confirmed.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No visa-waiver for Taiwan

North Korea has no visa-free, visa-on-arrival, eVisa or ETA arrangement with Taiwan; all ordinary passport holders need a visa in advance.

High

/02

Tourism currently suspended for most nationalities

As of June 2026 only Russian nationals are admitted as tourists; tourist visas are not being issued to Taiwanese travelers.

High

/03

Independent travel banned

Entry is only possible on a pre-arranged guided group tour through an authorized agency; you cannot apply on your own.

High

/04

Sensitive occupations refused

Journalists and some professionals are routinely denied, regardless of nationality.

Medium

/05

Abrupt policy reversals

The Rason zone reopened then shut within weeks in early 2025, so any apparent opening can be withdrawn without notice.

Medium

/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

Taiwan to North Korea route verified

Confirmed visa-required status for Taiwan ordinary passports; noted that as of 2026 DPRK tourism remains closed to all nationalities except Russian citizens, with visas obtainable only via authorized tour operators when open.

/09 — The questions