U.S. Extends Travel Ban on North Korea Through August 2026

The U.S. Department of State has announced the extension of its travel ban on North Korea for American citizens until August 31, 2026. The ban, first enacted in September 2017 following the detention and death of U.S. student Otto Warmbier, prohibits U.S. passport holders from visiting or transiting through North Korea without special permission.

Exceptions to the ban are rare and limited to cases such as humanitarian missions or accredited media reporting.

The Department cited ongoing serious risks of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals in North Korea, emphasizing the imminent threat to their physical safety.