Official Statement Regarding North Korea Travel Ban for U.S Citizens

Today the U.S Department of State has officially announced that all U.S. passports are declared invalid for travel to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) unless the travel meets certain criteria.

The travel ban will be effective beginning on September 1, 2017. The travel ban shall remain in effect for one year unless extended or sooner revoked by the U.S. Secretary of State.

A U.S. national may apply to the U.S. Department of State for a special validation of his or her passport to permit its use for travel to, or use in, a restricted country or area if the reason for travel falls within certain categories: (a) applicants are members of the press, (b) applicants are members of the Red Cross, (c) applicants are traveling for humanitarian considerations, and (d) the trip is within the national interest of the U.S. Travel for purposes of tourism is not permitted.

Effective September 1, 2017, we can no longer take U.S. nationals on our tours.

For those U.S. nationals already committed to upcoming scheduled tours with us, we will reach out to you regarding next steps. All other nationalities remain unaffected.

** UPDATE ** Effective September 1, 2018, this ban was officially extended until August 31, 2019 unless extended or sooner revoked by the Secretary of State. At this time, we are still unable to take U.S. nationals on our tours.

** UPDATE 2 ** Effective September 1, 2019, this ban was officially extended until August 31, 2020 unless extended or sooner revoked by the Secretary of State. At this time, we are still unable to take U.S. nationals on our tours.

** UPDATE 3 ** Effective September 1, 2020, this ban was officially extended until August 31, 2021 unless extended or sooner revoked by the Secretary of State. At this time, we are still unable to take U.S. nationals on our tours.

** UPDATE 4 ** Effective September 2, 2021, this ban was officially extended until August 31, 2022 unless extended or sooner revoked by the Secretary of State. At this time, we are still unable to take U.S. nationals on our tours.

** UPDATE 5 ** Effective September 1, 2022, this ban was officially extended until August 31, 2023 unless extended or sooner revoked by the Secretary of State. At this time, we are still unable to take U.S. nationals on our tours.

Filed under: uritours | August 2, 2017