Vietnam Visa Requirements for North Korean Citizens

This guide explains the Vietnam entry rules for passport holders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), including what depends on your passport type, which visa options exist, what the fees are, and how long processing usually takes. It is general information about Vietnam’s entry rules only, and rules for travellers from some countries can change, so please always confirm the latest position with official sources.

Quick Answer

Holders of an ordinary North Korean passport are not on Vietnam’s visa-free list, so they generally need a visa before they travel. Passports issued for public affairs, and ordinary passports endorsed “for public affairs”, are described as having a separate visa exemption, so please check which type you hold. For most visits on an ordinary passport, the usual option is the Vietnam e-visa, subject to the checks below. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam immigration and e-visa portals.

Why Ordinary North Korean Passports Aren’t Visa-Free

Vietnam and the DPRK have long-standing diplomatic relations, so it’s natural to assume that travel between them is simple. But Vietnam’s visa-free list is based on specific agreements, and it doesn’t include ordinary North Korean passports. Citizens of countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Japan, and South Korea can enter Vietnam for a limited stay without a visa, while holders of an ordinary North Korean passport need an approved visa before they travel. Without one, an airline or a border officer can refuse entry.

There is an exception for passports issued for public affairs, and for ordinary passports endorsed “for public affairs”. Sources describe these as allowed to enter Vietnam without a visa, but they don’t agree on the details, so please check the current rules for your passport and your purpose of travel. Entry rules depend on the passport you travel on, not on the country where you live. If you hold more than one passport, use the same one for your application and for travel. If you’re not sure what applies to you, contact us before you make any plans or payments.

Vietnam Visa Options for North Korean Passport Holders

1. Vietnam e-visa (the usual option)

The Vietnam e-visa is an electronic visa you apply for online, receive by email, and print before you travel. It’s valid for up to 90 days and available as single or multiple entry. Before you pay, check on the official portal that your nationality and passport type are accepted and whether any extra conditions apply, because sources differ for this nationality.

2. Visa on arrival

A two-step option: you get an approval letter first, then pay a stamping fee in cash at the airport. It adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports. Sources differ on whether it is currently offered to North Korean passport holders, so please confirm this before you rely on it.

3. Embassy or consulate visa

You can apply in person or by post at a Vietnamese diplomatic mission. Vietnam has an embassy in Pyongyang, which may be useful if you need a visa type the e-visa doesn’t cover. Services, contact details, and opening hours can change, so please check the embassy’s official channels before you go.

Which one should you choose?

Vietnam E-Visa: How It Works

If you use the e-visa, you fill in an online form, upload a photo and a passport scan, pay the fee, and wait for approval. When it’s ready, you download the e-visa, print it, and show it at the border. You must enter and exit through approved international checkpoints, so check that your arrival airport or border crossing is on the list.

Single or multiple entry?

• Single entry: one way in and one way out. If you leave Vietnam, even for a day trip, the visa is used up.
• Multiple entry: leave and return within the visa’s validity.

Documents and Passport Requirements

Have these ready before you apply:

• A valid passport in good condition, with blank pages. We recommend at least two blank pages to be safe.
• Enough validity. Sources describe the six-month rule in slightly different ways. To stay safe, aim for a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from Vietnam, and confirm the exact rule on the official portal before you apply.
• A clear passport data page scan. The whole page, with no glare or cropping.
• A recent portrait photo. Looking straight at the camera, with no glasses.
• Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.
• Proof of onward travel. Airlines and immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
• A payment card and an email address you check often.

If your route to Vietnam includes a connection, check whether you need a transit visa for your connecting airport, because that is a separate requirement from your Vietnam visa.

Vietnam Visa Cost

The government fee is US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. It’s non-refundable, even if the visa isn’t granted. The fee depends on single or multiple entry, not on whether you choose 30 or 90 days. Any service fee depends on your visa type and speed, and you can see our price list on the Vietnam e-Visa fees page. Prices are in US dollars, and payment cards issued in some countries can’t be used for international online payments, so please check how you will pay before you apply.

How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?

Official processing is about 3 working days. Working days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays. Sources suggest that applications from some nationalities can take longer, so it’s wise to leave plenty of time. A good rule of thumb is to apply at least two weeks before you travel.

A quick note on time zones. Vietnam time (UTC+7) is 2 hours behind North Korea (UTC+9). For example, 8:00 AM in Vietnam is 10:00 AM in Pyongyang. Check the time difference before you rely on any cut-off.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa

1. Check your eligibility. Confirm your passport type and whether the e-visa is available to you.
2. Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
3. Upload your photo and passport scan.
4. Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
5. Receive your e-visa by email. Download it, check the details, and print a copy.

The Date Mistake to Avoid

Your stay doesn’t begin when you arrive. It starts from the entry date you put on the application, even if you arrive later. Pick July 1 but enter on July 6, and you lose five days. Set the entry date to the day you really plan to enter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing up passport types. Public affairs and ordinary passports follow different rules, so check which one you hold.
• Assuming close relations mean visa-free travel. Ordinary passports still need a visa.
• Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal.
• Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make the visa unusable. Korean names are written in Latin letters on your passport, so copy them exactly as shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and make sure your surname and given name go into the right fields.
• Paying with a card that can’t be used abroad. Check how you will pay before you start.
• Forgetting your transit visa. A connecting flight can need its own visa, separate from Vietnam’s.
• Ignoring passport expiry. Check it before you book.
• Applying too late. Leave a buffer for processing.

Entry Checklist Before You Travel

• Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup, if you need one.
• Passport with enough validity and blank pages.
• Pre-arrival declaration. Air travellers may need to complete Vietnam’s free online pre-arrival declaration before landing. Check the official government portal for current requirements, and avoid sites that charge for it.
• Return or onward travel details.
• First night’s accommodation details.
• Transit visas for any connecting country, if required.

Staying Longer Than Planned?

The e-visa can’t be extended from inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day option from the start, or ask about other options before you go.