North Korea
South Africa
South Africa visa for North Korean citizens
Entry requirement
North Korean citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to South Africa.
- Where to apply
- No mission in your country
- Visa guide
- South Africa visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index
Which South Africa visa?
Visitor's visa (section 11 of the Immigration Act) and visa-exempt holiday visits
Key facts
- Fee
- ZAR 425
All visa types for South Africa
South Africa’s tourist visa costs ZAR 425 at the standard rate published by its authorities.
Where North Korean citizens apply for a visa for South Africa
South Africa has no embassy or consulate in North Korea on our records; applications usually go through a mission in a neighbouring country or an online portal.
- Embassy of South Africa in Seoul199 km
104 Dokseodang-ro (Hannam-Dong), Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04420
- Embassy of South Africa in Beijing804 km
5 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing
- Embassy of South Africa in Tokyo1,290 km
4rth Floor, Hanzomon First Building, 1-4 Kojimachi - CHIYODA-KU, Tokyo, 102-0083
Measured from Pyongyang, South African embassies and consulates are closest in Seoul, South Korea (199 km), Beijing, China (804 km) and Tokyo, Japan (1,290 km). Which post accepts applications from residents of North Korea is decided by South Africa, so confirm it with the mission or the official visa portal before booking an appointment.
South African citizens travelling to North Korea
South AfricaNorth Korea Visa required North Korea visa for citizens of South Africa
Travel advice for South Africa
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
For a trip from North Korea to South Africa, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates South Africa at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 26 May 2025), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to South Africa (updated 5 November 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for South Africa (updated 28 October 2026).
Good to know
How long North Korean citizens can stay in South Africa
How long North Korean citizens may stay in South Africa is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How North Korean citizens apply
South Africa has no embassy or career consulate in North Korea. North Korean citizens apply through a mission of South Africa accredited to North Korea from abroad; the official visa portal of South Africa names the right place.
South Africa’s neighbours for North Korean citizens
Eswatini and Lesotho require North Korean citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
South African citizens travelling to North Korea
South African citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to North Korea. The rule is the same in both directions between North Korea and South Africa.
Frequently asked questions
Do North Korean citizens need a visa for South Africa?
North Korean citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to South Africa.
Is there an embassy of South Africa in North Korea?
No. South Africa has no embassy in North Korea. The nearest South African embassy is in Seoul, South Korea, 199 km from Pyongyang.
How much does the South Africa tourist visa cost?
South Africa’s official sources give a standard fee of ZAR 425 for the tourist visa.
Do South African citizens need a visa for North Korea?
South African citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to North Korea.
Can North Korean citizens enter South Africa visa-free?
No; North Korean citizens need a visa for South Africa obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.