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North Korea
South AfricaNorth KoreaVia embassy

North Korea visa for citizens of South Africa

Citizens of South Africa need a visa for North Korea that is issued through the embassy or a visa centre: it can’t be obtained online, because you must attend in person to submit documents and biometrics. Visago fills in the form, prepares your documents and books your appointment. The service costs $49.

For citizens of South Africa: the passport opens 60 countries visa-free; Pretoria — Pyongyang: ≈ 12,390 km, about 16 hours of flying.

Checked by visa analyst Albert Brown, 13 years of experience · September 26, 2026

99% of the applications we submit are approved

How we achieve this

After payment, a manager will contact you.

Choose your visa

Document preparation and appointment bookingWe fill in the form, prepare your documents and book the visa centre appointment$49

The consular fee is paid separately when you apply. Your manager will confirm the exact amount.

Apply in 10 minutes

Can I travel to North Korea without a visa on a South Africa passport?

No: citizens of South Africa need a visa, issued by the embassy. We prepare your documents and book the appointment for just $49.

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North Korea visa rules at a glance

  • With a South Africa passport you can visit 60 countries visa-free, 29 with a visa on arrival and 39 with an e-visa; 70 more require an embassy visa.
  • By the number of visa-free destinations, the South Africa passport ranks 96th of 199.
  • South Africa passport: visa-free access to 60 countries; North Korea passport: 8.
  • Citizens of South Africa and North Korea can travel together visa-free to 7 countries, for example: Seychelles, Palestine, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Haiti, and Micronesia.
  • Citizens of North Korea, in turn, need an embassy visa to travel to South Africa. South Africa visa for citizens of North Korea

Travelling to North Korea: good to know

  • Pretoria — Pyongyang: about 12,390 km in a straight line; a direct flight takes roughly 16 hours.
  • Time difference with your country’s capital: +7 hours.
  • Local time: Pretoria 12:00 — Pyongyang 19:00.
  • Local currency: North Korean Won.
  • Languages: Korean.
  • North Korea is the 174th closest of 197 destinations open to citizens of South Africa.
South Africa → North Korea

Combine your trip

Neighbouring countries and their visa rules for citizens of South Africa:

How citizens of neighbouring countries travel to North Korea

Visa rules for North Korea for citizens of countries bordering South Africa:

How to get a North Korea visa

  1. 1Application
  2. 2Pay for the service
  3. 3Manager
  4. 4Appointment

What documents do you need for a North Korea visa?

Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight: Pretoria — Pyongyang?

About 16 hours on a direct flight: the capitals are roughly 12,390 km apart. With a connection it takes longer.

What is the time difference with North Korea?

Time difference with your country’s capital: +7 hours.

Do citizens of North Korea need a visa for South Africa?

Citizens of North Korea, in turn, need an embassy visa to travel to South Africa.

The cheapest e-visas for citizens of South Africa

More destinations for citizens of South Africa

Where you can travel with a passport of: South Africa

Facts checked: · Government fees

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