North Korea
Do not travel to North Korea. US passports are not valid for travel to North Korea without State Department authorization.
What Level 4 means
This is the highest advisory level, indicating that conditions are dangerous enough that the US State Department advises against all travel. US citizens in the country should depart if it is safe to do so. The government may have very limited ability to provide consular assistance.
Safety tips for North Korea
US citizens require special validation from the State Department to travel.
All tourism is state-controlled — independent travel is impossible.
Detention of foreign nationals occurs without due process.
No consular access is available for US citizens.
Photography is heavily restricted and monitored.
Emergency contacts
No reliable emergency services for foreigners
None (Sweden provides limited consular services)
2026-04-15