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🇿🇦 Does a South African need a visa for North Korea 🇰🇵?
Yes. South African passport holders need a visa for North Korea, applied for at an embassy or consulate of North Korea before travelling.
Checked against Wikipedia's list of visa requirements for South African citizens on 2026-10-04. Entry rules change: confirm with the embassy of North Korea or its official government website before you travel.
⚠ U.S. State Department travel advisory for North Korea: Level 4: Do Not Travel (updated 29 April 2025). It is written for U.S. citizens; read the advisory before you book.
What this means for your trip
You apply at an embassy, consulate or authorised visa centre of the destination, usually with an application form, passport photos, bank statements, travel itinerary and accommodation bookings.
Processing takes days to weeks, and some embassies require an interview; start the application well before your trip.
Your passport should normally be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and have blank pages for stamps; many countries apply this rule.
Where to apply in South Africa
If you live in South Africa, visas for North Korea are issued by its missions there. Many of them use an outsourced visa application centre: the mission's website says where to apply and which office covers your region.
- Embassy of North Korea in South Africa · 958 Waterpoort Street
Missions from Wikidata (CC0), checked 2026-09-26. Addresses and opening hours change: check the mission's website before you go.
North Korea at a glance
Capital: Pyongyang · Currency: North Korean won (KPW, ₩) · Official languages: Korean · Calling code: +850
Plugs and voltage
Some of your plugs fit (C); for type D, M, N plugs bring a travel adapter for North Korea's sockets (A, C, F). Mains voltage differs (North Korea: 110/220 V; South Africa: 230 V): most phone and laptop chargers accept 100–240 V, but single-voltage devices such as some hair dryers need a converter.
More about entering North Korea →
Easier destinations near North Korea for South African passport holders
- 🇭🇰 Hong Kong — Visa-free 30 days
- 🇲🇴 Macau — Visa-free 30 days
- 🇰🇷 South Korea — ETA required
- 🇯🇵 Japan — e-Visa
- 🇲🇳 Mongolia — e-Visa
The other way round
🇰🇵 North Korean passport holders visiting South Africa: North Korean passport holders need a visa for South Africa, applied for at an embassy or consulate of South Africa before travelling.
The South African passport at a glance
All destinations for South Africa passport holders → · Who needs a visa for North Korea →
Questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for North Korea?
South African passport holders need a visa for North Korea, applied for at an embassy or consulate of North Korea before travelling.
Does a North Korean need a visa for South Africa?
North Korean passport holders need a visa for South Africa, applied for at an embassy or consulate of South Africa before travelling.