North Korea Passport Ranking: Visa-Free Countries and Visa Requirements

North KoreaThis country’s passport is ranked No. 178 globally.Last check:Last update:
Mobility Score47

How Do We Rank It?

passportreports.com's AI-supported ranking model ranks passports by mobility score, a metric that combines visa-free entry, visa on arrival, and electronic travel authorization access. When scores are tied, it first compares the number of visa-free destinations, then destinations accessible with electronic travel authorization, and finally visa-on-arrival destinations. Review the algorithm used in our methodology.

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Visa Requirement Map

Passport Mobility Over Time

Annual Mobility Score and global ranking history for this passport.

Mobility History Table
YearMobility ScoreGlobal Rank
202042163
202144173
202251176
202353175
202453171
202550170
202647178
Population
26,633,691(2026 est.)
Official language
Korean
Government type
One-party socialist republic
Continent
Asia
Capital
Pyongyang
Currency
North Korean won
Area
120,540 km²
Phone code
+850

North Korea: Other Rankings

Welcoming rankWelcoming Countries
149th out of 199 countries
Within-Language RankingKorean
2nd out of 2 countries
Form-of-Government RankingOne-Party Socialist Republic
5th out of 5 countries
G77 RankingG77 Countries
125th out of 132 countries

Key Destination Access

USARequired

A valid visa is required before travel.

United KingdomRequired

A valid visa is required before travel.

CanadaRequired

A valid visa is required before travel.

Schengen AreaRequired

A valid visa is required before travel.

About North Korea

North Korea occupies the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Russia to the northeast, and South Korea to the south. The landscape is dominated by mountains and hills, with narrow coastal plains along the west and east. The country's geographic isolation has contributed to its distinct regional character.

Daily life in North Korea is shaped by a centralized state and collective social structures. Public areas often feature monumental architecture and ideological symbols that reinforce state narratives. Residents experience limited exposure to external media and information. The capital, Pyongyang, combines grandiose buildings with older urban districts.

North Korea maintains a highly restricted international presence and limited diplomatic relations. Its nuclear ambitions have been a central factor in regional geopolitics for decades. Relations with South Korea and the United States remain tense and subject to periodic fluctuations. Despite occasional engagement, the country continues to operate largely outside mainstream international frameworks.