Passport renewal in North Korea
Renewing a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) passport generally involves contacting DPRK diplomatic missions abroad, as direct communication with authorities within the DPRK for this purpose is not typically available. The process is understood to be highly specific to individual circumstances and location.
Applicants are advised to initiate the renewal process well in advance of their passport's expiration. This is due to potentially lengthy processing times, which can vary significantly depending on the diplomatic mission and individual case, and the need to secure appointments.
Start 180 days ahead
A lead time of several months is recommended due to the specialized nature of these applications, potential for limited appointment availability at diplomatic missions, and varying processing durations.
The process
- 1Identify the nearest Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) embassy or consulate that serves the current region of residence.
- 2Contact the identified DPRK diplomatic mission directly to inquire about their specific passport renewal procedures, required documentation, and to schedule an appointment.
- 3Gather all necessary documents as instructed by the diplomatic mission, which may include the expiring passport, application forms, and photographs.
- 4Attend the scheduled appointment at the diplomatic mission to submit the application and required documents.
- 5Pay any applicable renewal fees as instructed by the diplomatic mission.
- 6Await notification from the diplomatic mission regarding the status of the new passport.
What to bring
- Current DPRK passport (expiring or expired)
- Completed passport application form (obtained from the diplomatic mission)
- Recent passport-sized photographs conforming to specified standards
- Any other documents specifically requested by the DPRK diplomatic mission, which may vary by individual circumstances.
Who handles it
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (조선민주주의인민공화국 외무성)
Specific fees for passport renewal are not publicly available and must be confirmed directly with the relevant DPRK diplomatic mission. Payments are typically made in local currency or USD.
What commonly goes wrong
- Information regarding DPRK administrative procedures is scarce and not widely publicized, making direct inquiry with diplomatic missions essential.
- The requirements and procedures can vary significantly between different DPRK diplomatic missions.
- Processing times can be extensive and unpredictable; applicants should plan accordingly.
- Access to DPRK diplomatic missions may be restricted or require prior arrangements.
Sources
No source page could be confirmed for this one, so treat every specific above as something to check with Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (조선민주주의인민공화국 외무성).
Other documents in North Korea
Passport renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
Don't rely on remembering
Add this document to Duratum and we'll tell you when to start, and remind you before it matters.