North Korea entry requirements for Canadian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Government of Canada): Read the official visa text below
Passport validity (Government of Canada): Valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave North Korea. Official text
Official source: Government of Canada – North Korea travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Entry and exit requirements” · page last updated 15 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Whether Canadians need a visa for North Korea and how long a Canadian passport must be valid, as published by the Government of Canada, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: British passport · Australian passport
Do Canadians need a visa for North Korea?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The official visa text does not match a wording we summarise.
Official text, “Visas”:
Canadians must have a visa to enter North Korea. You can obtain a visa from a North Korean mission in a third country after approval from the government in Pyongyang. The process for obtaining visas can be extremely slow and arduous.
Canadians arriving without a valid Canadian passport and visa may be detained, arrested, fined or denied entry.
Professional journalists must apply for special permission to visit North Korea and may not enter the country on a tourist visa, even if they are travelling for personal reasons.
Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Work permit: required
Student visa: required
Also in the official “Entry and exit requirements” section:
Unauthorized points of entry
Foreigners have been detained, injured, or killed for entering the country through unauthorized entry points. Ensure that you stay within permitted zones and strictly follow North Korea’s procedures and protocols.
More from the official “Entry and exit requirements” section (other requirements)
Other entry information
Foreigners can enter North Korea either by air or train.
You cannot enter North Korea from South Korea or South Korea from North Korea.
Even if you meet all entry requirements, you may be arbitrarily arrested and/or detained at your point of entry.
If you also have South Korean citizenship, family ties to North Korea, or Korean heritage, you should carefully consider your decision to visit North Korea. Authorities periodically subject dual citizens and children of former Korean citizens to certain laws and obligations.
Canadians with South Korean citizenship must obtain approval from South Korean authorities for travel to North Korea. For more information, contact the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea, in Seoul.
Official source: Government of Canada – North Korea travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Visas” · page last updated 15 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
How long must my Canadian passport be valid for North Korea?
In short: Valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave North Korea.
Our one-line summary of the official sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. Your airline may apply stricter rules.
Official text, “Regular Canadian passport”:
Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave North Korea.
Official source: Government of Canada – North Korea travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Regular Canadian passport” · page last updated 15 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
For Canadian passport holders. These rules are published by the Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada) for Canadian citizens travelling on a regular Canadian passport. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not a Government of Canada site and is not endorsed by the Government of Canada. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for North Korea (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
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