State Department bans use of US passports for travel to North Korea for 9th year



News State Department bans use of US passports for travel to North Korea for 9th year Washington cites ‘serious risk’ of arrest and detention to justify restrictions, which now extend through Aug. 2026 Alannah Hill May 14, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A North Korean airport employee checks a tourist's ticket before he boards a plane in Hamhung. \| Image: Eric Lafforgue (Sept. 2011) The State Department has extended its ban on the use of U.S. passports to travel to North Korea for the ninth consecutive year, citing ongoing concerns over the safety of U.S. nationals in the country. According to a public notice scheduled for publication on Wednesday, the travel restriction will remain in effect through Aug. 31, 2026 unless it is further extended or revoked. The latest extension was signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 21 and takes effect on Sept. 1. The State Department has extended its ban on the use of U.S. passports to travel to North Korea for the ninth consecutive year, citing ongoing concerns over the safety of U.S. nationals in the country. According to a public notice scheduled for publication on Wednesday, the travel restriction will remain in effect through Aug. 31, 2026 unless it is further extended or revoked. The latest extension was signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 21 and takes effect on Sept. 1. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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State Department bans use of US passports for travel to North Korea for 9th year

Washington cites ‘serious risk’ of arrest and detention to justify restrictions, which now extend through Aug. 2026

Alannah Hill May 14, 2025

State Department bans use of US passports for travel to North Korea for 9th year

A North Korean airport employee checks a tourist's ticket before he boards a plane in Hamhung. | Image: Eric Lafforgue (Sept. 2011)

The State Department has extended its ban on the use of U.S. passports to travel to North Korea for the ninth consecutive year, citing ongoing concerns over the safety of U.S. nationals in the country.

According to a public notice scheduled for publication on Wednesday, the travel restriction will remain in effect through Aug. 31, 2026 unless it is further extended or revoked. The latest extension was signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 21 and takes effect on Sept. 1.

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State Department bans use of US passports for travel to North Korea for 9th year

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