North Korea visa options for India passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for North Korea

Rules are written for foreign (non-DPRK) nationals generally; note that US, South Korean and Israeli passport holders are barred, and as of June 2026 only Russian nationals are actually being admitted as tourists.

• Tourist

  Tourist Visa (Tourist Card)

  Tour length only, typically approx. 7-16 days; the visa itself is reported valid up to ~6 months from issue (varies, verify)

  Insurance

  Requiredauthorized operators (e.g. Koryo Tours) require full medical insurance as a booking condition and recommend emergency medical evacuation cover of at least EUR 100,000, while warning evacuation coverage may not be adequate in the DPRK.

  Good for

  Leisure travelers joining a state-approved group or private guided tour; as of June 2026 in practice only Russian nationals are being admitted, with other nationalities suspended pending reopening.

  Requirement

  Must book a full pre-paid package tour (hotel, guides, transfers, meals) through an authorized operator, which submits the application to the Korea International Travel Company (KITC); issued on a separate paper, not stamped in the passport. US, South Korean and Israeli passport holders are barred.

• Business

  Business Visa

  Tied to the approved visit; not publicly specified (varies, verify)

  Insurance

  Recommendedno published government rule, but full medical insurance is expected in line with operator entry conditions; verify.

  Good for

  Professionals attending meetings, conferences, negotiations or trade events with an approved DPRK host organization.

  Requirement

  Invitation letter from an authorized DPRK host plus sponsorship; arranged through an operator/embassy rather than self-service. Public documentation is limited.

• Business

  Journalist / Media Visa

  Tied to the approved assignment/delegation; not publicly specified (varies, verify)

  Insurance

  Recommendedno published government rule; medical insurance expected in line with operator conditions. Verify.

  Good for

  Journalists, photographers and media professionals, who are explicitly barred from entering on a tourist visa.

  Requirement

  Separate special media/journalist authorization arranged as a delegation or media tour with prior approval; cannot be obtained by declaring as a tourist.

• Work

  Work / Employment Visa

  Linked to the employment authorization; not publicly specified (varies, verify)

  Insurance

  Recommendedno published requirement found; medical insurance evidence may be requested. Verify.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals with an approved employment, post or assignment connected to a recognized DPRK entity.

  Requirement

  Employer sponsorship and an invitation letter from an approved DPRK body, with case-by-case official approval; functions as a controlled entry-and-stay authorization, not a self-service visa. Requirements are not comprehensively published.

• Study

  Student Visa

  Tied to the program; not publicly specified (varies, verify)

  Insurance

  Recommendedno published requirement found; verify with the sponsoring institution.

  Good for

  Participants in exchange programs or language/study courses inside the DPRK.

  Requirement

  Official in-country sponsor and invitation; rarely issued. Public documentation is limited.

North Korea publishes no central immigration portal; all visas are arranged via state-authorized tour operators and details below come from those operators and travel-industry reporting. As of June 2026 general tourism is suspended (Russians only). Verify current status before relying on any figure. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

India → North Korea: frequently asked

Do India passport holders need a visa to visit North Korea?

Visa required. Arrange a visa at a consulate or embassy before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a India passport holder live or work long-term in North Korea?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. North Korea has 5 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for North Korea?

Entry to North Korea never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several North Korea visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.