Do you need a visa to the DPRK. "In general, they are as we": Russians who lived in North Korea

For foreigners, the Korean Republic is still in many ways unknown and mysterious. But russian citizens They can satisfy their nostalgia in the USSR: after all, it is Korea and today remains one of the few states with a one-party system and absolutely controlled media government. Starting from 2014, visa in North Korea Russians do not need.

Thoughtless travel

The opportunity to visit this part of the world appeared at our fellow citizens recently. Therefore, this year you need to remember that it is unlikely to do a purely individual trip.

To get to North Korea, the Russian can only be in two ways:

becoming a member of the tourist group;
an independent visit, but accompanied by an individual guide.

It is also worth remembering that you can not use your mobile phone, since there is no roaming. Yes, and the meeting devices themselves allowed to import literally a couple of years ago. There is no sense to carry a laptop again: you can not use the Internet, it is prohibited.

Entering into the country, you will sign an obligation to use all the pictures and video recordings only for your personal purposes, without exposing them to review the general public.

If you are a journalist, then you will not receive a visa under any circumstances.

A visa-free entrance

Visa to North Korea for Russians is not a mandatory attribute, if the visit is not planned for a period of over 60 days. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the fact that it is possible here in the total number of 90 days in each half of the year.

From the documents you need to take:

Paying visa collection does not have to. Verification of documents B. ballpoint - Ordinary formality. As a rule, no one as a rule is asked.

Obtaining a visa

If the purpose of the visit takes a longer stay in the country, for example, you are interested in working or training, then you cannot add to the consulate. Please note that even business negotiations that will last less than these two months will still require a petition from you, since a visa-free entrance Allowed to tourists only.

Visa to the DPRK will be issued to you if you provide such documents:

Copy of the outbound passport.
Copy of previous fabric passportsIf they have already been stamps of Australia, Japan, USA, Canada.
Questionnaire.
Photo.

Fill out a questionnaire on Korean or english language. For the unemployed, it will necessarily need a sponsor that will pay a trip to the Republic of Korea.

Replenish the list of papers you need also additional documentsthat defines a visa category:

a copy of the student ticket - for students;
copy pension testimony - for pensioners;
invitation - in the event of a guest visit.

If there were cases of visa violation in your history, first consult in the consulate for the possibility of entering the country without a stamp in the passport.

The consideration process takes up, as a rule, 5-7 days. The cost of a one-time Korean stamp today is $ 50, multivisage will cost $ 120.

So that your journey has passed without unnecessary difficulties, it is better to stock in cash in advance. This is due to the fact that non-cash payment in this country is not too well developed. Therefore, there are problems with removing money from the account. Moreover, in North Korea, you will be given to you only if you can confirm your financial wealth.

Overdue loans Nonylet.rf.

And do not forget about your appearance. Here you should wear modestly, without an excessive gloss. This is especially true of visiting museums and temples.

Top 5 Asian countries for departure without a visa for Russians in 2019: video

And finally, the most interesting is to restrict the debtors abroad. It is about the status of the debtor the easiest way to "forget", going to another abroad. The reason may be overdue loans, unpaid receipts of utilities, alimony or fines from the traffic police. Any of these debts may threaten the restriction of exit abroad in 2019, find out information about the presence of debt we recommend using a proven service Retail.

DPRK wants to introduce visa-free regime For Russians. However, to one of the most mysterious and closed countries of the world, Russians can not only as tourists. Some citizens of Russia live there constantly, mostly these diplomats when russian embassy And their children.

Let's find out what they say about North Korea and myths around it Russians who have lived in the country for several years.

When writing a magazine "Paper" Tried to talk to Russian diplomats, who are now working in the DPRK, but the Russian Embassy has not answered the request. In addition, most Russians who lived or living in North Korea refused to communicate. "I have no right to disclose the information obtained in this country," explained one of them. However, some agreed to communicate and tell about their lives in the DPRK, warning that they could not tell in detail about many of its aspects.

Anna

25 years

I lived in Pyongyang from 2005 to 2009 with parents in the embassy. There is a large area, swimming pool, school where I studied. It was possible to go out into the city only with adults, and the impressions of the country were left of those moments when we left with parents to a restaurant, a park or shop. I remember that in the evenings the light was far from everywhere, it was included only on large holidays. Sometimes you could see how people erase things in the sewer runoff. There was still a lot of pioneers, that for me it was very strange and surprising.

There are a lot of rumors around the DPRK, but half of what they say is not true. Yes, they live poorly, but the dorms of products in the store are some kind of nonsense. Neither I, nor friends, nor the parents have seen this. There is normal food and excellent restaurants. Even more tastier than in South Korea. I do not know how now, but then the Koreans themselves had a coupon system: they received some rice, meat and vegetables per month. Other products also concerned. For example, a liter of beer on cards costs 20 won, and on the market - 1500, the costume of the coupons cost 200 won, a kilogram of rice - 40 won.

On holidays, many people came to the monument to Kim Il Sen. They brought many colors and for some reason we were crying

Totalitarianism there is everywhere. In posters, slogans, and even in relation to Koreans to foreigners: they are usually very afraid of them. Yes, and everyone remembers the news when the whole country showed that they were on the World Cup, although they lost. Or execution reports due to the fact that someone fell asleep during the speech of the leader. They are absolutely closed for the whole world. They have no Internet in the form we use, some kind of system in the DPRK. However, I can say exactly that they do not suffer from all this. Well, or on the outside it is quite unnoticed.

Anastasia

24 years

My parents work at the Russian Foreign Ministry, in January 2008, we went to a business trip to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang. I lived in the DPRK two and a half years, my parents are a little more than three years. We lived in the Russian embassy, \u200b\u200bwhich is the second largest in the whole country.

The first thing I thought was just when I arrived in the DPRK: a gray country. People walked down the streets in some gray-marsh clothing, gray-concrete houses and even the weather was then to become. Despite the fact that it was the midst of winter, the snow was not at all. But it was very cold due to high humidity: banal -15 degrees felt on all -25. But it was pleasantly surprised by the early spring, when the trees of the Big, Cherry and Wayegela begin to bloom. The city came to life, woke up; Local girls put their traditional dresses. He became so bright and colorful that sometimes even cut his eyes from the petrol. In general, the brightest impression left the country itself. There are a lot of attractions that you will not see anywhere else - and even similar. Architectural structures, museums and monuments, nature - for example, the road to the Japanese Sea. She took about six hours, and we drove through rice fields, mountains and waterfalls. Through tunnels that are cut into the rocks. Or, for example, to drive up to the Yellow Sea, you need to drive 10 kilometers long bridge-dam.

Totalitarianism there is everywhere. In posters, slogans, and even against the Koreans to foreigners

The DPRK is a very interesting, specific and colorful country. True, it is impossible to tell a lot about her, so there are a lot of rumors around it. Something is true, and something is solid fiction. For example, that they blindly adore their leaders, go build and so on - this is true. The leader means more for them than the president. At the same time, some totalitarianism, campaigns on conversations in the party and so on I did not notice.

As for the "facts", which circulate on the Internet - for example, that people are eating grass there because of poverty and so on, then it is not true. The situation in the country is tense, yes, but not so much. Although, for example, two prices always indicate in stores. One in national currency, and the second in dollars or euros. Accordingly, the price for Koreans is much lower. From the same way: I don't know how the situation is now, but at the time of my stay there every Sunday they had a "day of a pedestrian" when you can't meet any car on the roads. Koreans are moving on foot, bicycles or public transport. This is done due to fuel economy. Another interesting fact: On the roads there are traffic lights, but include them only on holidays. At the usual time, regulators work at the intersections, and even more often the adjustments. This is done too for savings. But, in spite of everything, the country develops very quickly.

In general, the northern Koreans are rather smart and educated. They are insanely friendly to all. For them, any interlocutor is Tonam, "Comrade" in Korean. All my life, they, of course, will not tell you, but if you pass for help, you will not refuse. Perhaps even take you to where you need. True, they will go away.

Also, most of the population speaks Russian very well. We were told that the Russian language teach them in schools as a foreign one. Wherein academic year It lasts from March to December, and the long holidays - in winter, as the premises are not heated and very cold.

Irina

29 years

Now I am not in Pyongyang, but I will soon come back there. Under the Russian Embassy in the DPRK, I lived enough and I can say that the Koreans are very smiling in the personal communication of the Koreans, do not hold stone for the sinus. In the market, of course, can break a little, but if you notice, the scandal will not be. They love children very much: no one will do anything to a child, I calmly trusted them my little daughter. She loves them too.

Information about North Korea is constantly transferred, because people need a sensation. It is much more interesting that someone eats grass, and not that someone will be a street launder as it should be. There are no factory poverty there, there are really a little shops, but the shelves are not empty even in stores for locals. And they really eat grass, it is in their culture - for example, the leaves of the American dandelion, chrysanthemums, the Chinese cabbage, very similar to the grass, spinach. Use about eight species of fern, and not just an orlyak, like us. All this is very tasty, we also ate. But drinking from lawn, of course, no one eats.

There is no totalitarianism there. Rather, we are accustomed to imaginary freedom, and therefore even a smooth quiet turn for something can introduce a foreigner into a stupor. They do not go, they are simply very disciplined. Yes, they work a lot, but dinner they have two hours to eat and relax, and then work again until the night. Everywhere clean, no one spreads anything and does not shit; At home you can walk in shoes, so clean on the street. There, no one is sick and we did not hurt too, because across the border does not circulate a bunch of microbes with tourists, although they are enough there. In general, Pyongyang is a very beautiful and clean city, very green. The most impressive is the monuments, especially the one that is dedicated to the union of Korea.

There is no totalitarianism there. Rather, we are accustomed to imaginary freedom

They do not pray to the leaders, they simply respect them very much. For example, we also hang portraits of the president in the cabinets, and they hang everywhere. They worship their leaders, but everything looks strange for us only because of the loud words and emotionality, characteristic of all Asians. Southern Koreans are the same, fighting constantly and cry overvrapers if even an unfamiliar person died.

Over the years, I realized that although North Koreans and the other mentality, but in general they are as we. And the regime in the country is a little similar to our Soviet.

Everyone is well aware of such popular holiday destinations as Egypt, Turkey, Thailand and so on. But, recently, tours began to appear in the tourism market in such countries, the ideas about which they are not combined with the word "rest". One of these countries is the Korean People's Democratic Republic (hereinafter - the DPRK), the journey into which they just began to gain their popularity.

What methods can be visited by the DPRK

We can only be in this country only as part of the excursion group. The DPRK authorities do not allow tourists to enter the country, and even one to go out. Upon arrival, guide and agent of services are attached to the travelers group internal security (both are citizens of Korea) who will accompany them throughout the tour. Photographing anything can only with a guide permission. Tour prices can differ significantly, and depend on the number of days of travel, the reservation period and the group size.

How to get a visa to North Korea

To visit the country, you need to get a visa, but for citizens of the countries of Russia and the CIS, its design will not be a problem. Also, the process will not affect the presence of states in the passport of visas, not friendly DPRK (USA, South Korea). To obtain a visa, tourists will be needed:

international passport
Scan or copy of the first page of the passport
Photo 3.5x4,5 on the usual white background
Profile
Account statement
Help from the place of work (not always)
Confirmation from the Travel Agency

But tourists only need to pass all the necessary documents, the rest of the registration agency will be engaged.

How to get to the DPRK?

From Russia, you can get to Pyongyang in only one way - by plane from Vladivostok. The distance between these cities is 425 km (264 miles). Approximate flight time: two hours. The flight commits and serves the Korean airline Air Koryo. At the beginning of the flight, tourists will be offered booklets in which brief information about the country and its leaders will be set. Also, Korean films or cartoons will also show all the way to familiarize themselves with the country's culture.

What will be shown in Korea?

The architectural ensemble of Mansud is a special landmark of Pyongyana, which is two monuments to the rulers of the DPRK: Kim Ir Sayna and Kim Jong Iru. Tourists will be obliged to lay flowers to the monument that can be bought near the monuments.

Also in the DPRK, the tourist will be shown: the monument of the ideas of Chuchhe (a special ideology created by Kim Il Sayne, which is followed only in Korea), the monument to the party, the triumphal gate, the Museum of Gifts Kim Jong Yana, the captured spy ship, belonging to the United States, Memorial Palace, Metro .

What should be remembered by a tourist visiting the DPRK

Since North Korea is closed and unknown for many countries, then some things familiar to the European citizen may be undesirable here or are prohibited. Thus, you need to take into account the fact that:
In the DPRK, many objects that cannot be photographed ( state institutions, Military and so on), so it is worth asking a guide to make sure that the object can be photographed.
On the territory of Korea there is no Internet and international communication. Therefore, you can talk to relatives only at special points that are located in the hotel. (Previously, it was forbidden to even carry phones, the ban was removed about 3 years ago).
It is forbidden to pronounce any movies or books, even a little similar to the propaganda of Western ideas.
Do not talk to local residents. This can turn into poor consequences in most people not a tourist, namely a citizen.
In the DPRK at night, electricity is almost completely disconnected (except for the hotel). Only portraits of leaders are highlighted.
It is strictly forbidden to say something bad about the leaders or disrespectful to their portraits. It can be very bad for a tourist.

In general, North Korea, though not colorful and, attracting luxury, country, but it is very tempting for a tourist with his mystery. Therefore, if you respect the mentality and the orders of this country, it is possible good and interesting to spend time.

The Korean People's Democratic Republic is one of the most closed countries. modern Mira. And because North Korea seems many interesting, mysterious and attractive. Special attention to the DPRK received from representatives of the media and ordinary tourists due to the fact that there is practically no information on the situation of affairs in the country. The state does not have a free press. All that falls into the world media is information that fully complies with the interests of the party.

Entrance to the tomb of the King Tonman

North Korea is one of the few countries, which today is a one-party Socialist Republic. This form of the board has practically disappeared, preserved only in five countries.

A trip to the Korean People's Democratic Republic is particularly interesting for Russians. North Korea is an excellent way to return to the past to see what the Soviet Union was still. Tourists attract the opportunity to see an improved political model of Stalinism.

Another attractive side of North Korea in terms of tourist potential is a huge number of natural attractions. But international tourism is not particularly developed, since until recently, an incredibly rigid isolation policy has been carried out in the country, prohibiting entry into the territory of the DPRK.

Journey to North Korea has become possible relatively recently. Tourist, who wants to visit the country, it is necessary to know that one there is impossible to come alone along the individual route. There are only 2 visits in the DPRK in 2020:

The most common and affordable is a group tour. In this case, the visa is drawn up by the tour operator immediately for the whole organized group. To provide customers with a visa to enter North Korea can only travel agencies that are officially recognized by the authorities of the country. Their activity must be approved by the Foreign Ministry of the Korean People's Democratic Republic.
Individual tour. In this case, to visit North Korea on its own route and is also impossible to be completely longer. The tourist will accompany the guides and guides everywhere. You can not refuse the services of the conductor. He will accompany you even on an elementary walk around the evening city. The main advantage of this travel option is the ability to draw up an individual tourist route that will be interesting to you personally. The main minus, of course, is the price. For an individual tour, it will be several times to exceed the cost of travel as part of an organized group.

Before choosing a tour and making a final decision on a trip to the DPRK, the traveler must familiarize himself with some rules that need to strictly adhere to being in North Korea.

Features of tourism in North Korea

Before entering the country, you need to know some of the features of the Korean People's Democratic Republic, which people from a democratic country may seem rather strange. The number includes:

Mobile phone will not work on the territory of North Korea. The fact is that there are no roaming programs in the country, and, accordingly, the phone will be disconnected all the time while you are on the territory of the DPRK. It is also noteworthy that imported phones in North Korea were allowed not so long ago, January 1, 2013. From this date, at the entrance to the DPRK, the phones are no longer taken by customs services when crossing the country's border. Now also does not matter the format of the phone, that is, you can import and smartphones.
Laptop computers (laptops, netbooks, tablets) can also be imported into the territory of the Korean People's Democratic Republic, but access to the Internet will be closed. Tourists cannot enter the global network, according to the rules of the country.
Photo from North Korea (revolutionary letters)
Import cameras, camcorders and household appliances to the territory of the Korean People's Democratic Republic is now allowed. However, the number of imported equipment is monitored, and should not exceed the established norm, that is, the technique can be imported only for personal use.
For personal spending, it is strongly recommended to take cash. The fact is that the system of cashless calculation in the DPRK is not well developed enough, and difficulties may arise with the removal of money from the bank account of another country. The most rationally take with them cash in the following currencies: American dollar, euro or Chinese yuan. They are the most running in North Korea, they are easily exchanged or payable with their help.
Funds for personal expenses of the tourist, namely imported currency funds, must be declared. A special form for filling is issued even during a visa. The same form should be filled with a tourist during departure from North Korea. It is important that the amount of the currency spent on the territory of the DPRK, was confirmed by the existing commodity or bank checks, which will be a guarantee of the legality of the acquisition of certain goods and services.
Interesting is that to export national currency outside the Korean People's Democratic Republic is categorically prohibited. Money simply will be confiscated in case of detection. Therefore, it is advisable to exchange them before leaving.
Fashion style. North Korea, of course, a non-Ukrainian country, in which they can condemn and deport a woman who appeared in clothes, familiar to European and indecent for the Islamic country. However, attending some memorable and ideological attractions, such as Mausoleum Kim Il Sen and Kim Jong Ira, it is worth getting dressed as much as possible and modestly. The tourist, dressed in an inappropriate way, simply will not be allowed in the mausoleum.
Journalists enter the DPRK without special permission closed. Regardless of who a citizen's journalist is, as well as what goals he pursues his visit, it will not be allowed to be allowed into the territory of North Korea if it does not present a special visa. The journalist cannot go as part of a group organized by the tour operator, nor an individual tour.
The territory of the DPRK is strictly forbidden to import literature and films that may be regarded as propaganda. It is also impossible to import pornography in any form, foreign literature, works about northern or.
Tourists are strictly forbidden to photograph even those objects that have at least a distant attitude towards the defense of the country. And it does not matter what angle and how close they are captured. These objects include not only military structures, but also ordinary bridges and airports.
Tips are not taken to leave in North Korea. In order to thank the guide or driver, the tourist can give them some present. Most often for these purposes, chocolate candies or good coffee are used for these purposes. It is important to take into account that the present in no case should be produced in the United States.

Rajin's city, shot on video, is located near the border of the Khassansky district of Primorsky Krai.

There is a sea of \u200b\u200bother useful practical advice for a tourist who wants to visit North Korea. This country is quite closed, mysterious and conservative. In order not to get into the unpleasant and conflict situation, do not attract unnecessary negative attention to themselves, it is better to be renewed and familiar with the country's etiquette, traditions of the DPRK.

Collect a full package of all required papers and documents for obtaining a visa.
Pay for the cost of the service.

The price of a visa may vary depending on the selected tourist operator.

However, on average, the value of a visa in the DPRK is about $ 40.

DPRK for Russians

The Korean People's Democratic Republic is one of the most "complex" for the entry of countries, but it is still possible to place a visa into this state. Moreover, it was the Russians that became the first foreigners to whom the DPRK government provided the possibility of obtaining long-term and multiple visas to their country. Currently, representatives of companies and state institutions that cooperate with the DPRK in economic terms can be used. In the future, it is planned to disseminate the possibility of designing such visas and other categories of Russians who want to visit North Korea.

Ordinary citizens who plan to visit the DPRK can apply to the embassy of this state in Moscow (Mosfilmovskaya St., 72), or to the consulate, located in Nakhodka. There is also the opportunity to get a visa of the DPRK at the Vladivostok airport right on the day of departure.

All documents necessary for the design of North Korean visa must be submitted to the relevant institutions no less than four weeks before the alleged trip. It is so much time is required by the staff of the Embassy and Consulates of the DPRK to consider the application and decide on the provision of a visa. In the event that a trip to North Korea during the holidays is planned, the deadline for filing documents is better to increase to five weeks. The same should be done if you plan to travel on a special system with a visit to Packtu and Chilbo - otherwise, the places for such a tour can be just busy. An important point is the persons engaged in journalistic activities, regardless of their citizenship, visit the DPRK can only have a special permission of the government of this country.

To receive you need to tourist visa To visit North Korea, it is necessary to submit such documents: by the applicant personally signed and fully filled visa profile, passport and domestic Russian passport, confirmation of the reservation of any North Korean hotel, official confirmation that the visa applicant has sufficient funds for staying on the territory of this state (this may be securities, Travel checks, bank cards with accounts on accounts, savings books, etc.). It will also require a certified certificate from work with all statements about the applicant (position, salary, etc.) and the photo of a typical sample.

It should be borne in mind that the territory of North Korea is allowed to enter exclusively as part of the tourist group. So visas will be issued by the whole group, and not individually. Only travel agencies that were officially recognized by the DPRK authorities can take up the design of such visas. The appropriate application for a visa is also submitted exclusively to the tour operator. Independent decoration Visas through the consular department is a rather complicated process that takes a lot of time.

It is nominally not limited to the import into the territory of North Korea and the export of currency from it - its amount simply should be indicated in the declaration, which will be issued with an entry visa. Any currency spent in the DPRK must be confirmed by the relevant documents - checks of shops, etc. Any product acquired in this country should also be confirmed by checks. In the case of currency exchange, it is necessary to maintain the bank's receipt.

The importation of tobacco and alcohol is allowed, but only within reasonable limits. Any gifts and souvenirs, as well as jewels, video and cameras, tape recorders, computers and clocks are mandatory declared, otherwise all of the listed can be simply confiscated directly on the border. Portable computers to import into the territory of Northern Korea were still completely prohibited, and in case of their detection in baggage, such a thing was subject to confiscation without proceedings. Now the ban is removed, but the laptop can still withdraw, simply by getting to its content. In this case, your leptop can be obtained when flying out of the country, but it is better to immediately enter it to the declaration.

It is prohibited by law to import any propaganda literature in the DPRK, works of foreign authors about two kings - North and South, as well as any fiction in Korean. Also prohibited import of materials of pornographic nature, ammunition, weapons, plant seeds, binoculars, drugs. Grocery products are allowed to import only with special permissions. Recently, in Northern Korea allowed to take their mobile phone, filling out a special form before this with an indication of the personal identifier of the device - the so-called IMEI. At the same time, each foreigner on the border will be offered to buy a sim card for 50 euros from the Koryolink North Koryolink operator, which allows you to make calls exclusively abroad.

DPRK for Ukrainians

Regardless of what purpose, a citizen of Ukraine seeks to visit the DPRK, the staff of the embassy of this state will check his application and all the concomitant documents for a visa in the most thorough way. Everyone knows that North Korea is one of the most closed countries in the world, as well as the fact that she with great precaution gives foreigners their visas.

In order for the design of the North Korean visa, it is best to contact one of the travel agencies that have permission from the Government of the DPRK on such activities. It will take to assemble the package of all necessary documentswhich includes: a carefully completed and signed by the applicant personally visa form, a personal passport and an internal passport of a citizen of Ukraine, confirmation of the armor of any hotel in North Korea, official confirmation that the applicant has sufficient financial resources for the designated period of stay in the DPRK ( These can be securities, traveler checks, bank cards with accounts on accounts, other documents). A certified certificate of work will still be required, in which all statements about the applicant (occupied position, salary, the duration of work in this place), as well as the photograph of the established sample should be indicated.

To enter North Korea alone is unlikely to succeed - for this you need to be a member of the tourist group, only this state is allowed to visit this state today. It is worth being prepared for the fact that all excursions in this country will be group and necessarily accompanied by attached guide. If you want to take a walk alone, it will not work off from such a guide. It will also be necessary to adhere to some segless rules - for example, not to wear too frank or causing clothes in order not to attract unnecessary attention. To use gadgets should also be taken care of caution and do not take pictures of what is prohibited in North Korea.

As for the customs rules of the DPRK, they are quite standard, for some exceptions - for example, this country is not entirely able to import personal computers, although the official ban has been removed today. In violation of this secret rule, this technique can be confiscated directly on the border. To avoid this, the laptop needs to be made to the declaration - in this case, it will be given when leaving North Korea. It is worth noting that the laptop in this country is not such a necessary thing, since there is simply no Internet in the DPRK. Moreover, mandatory declaration Video and photographic equipment, personal jewels, watches, souvenirs and gifts are subject to video. According to local legislation, everything that is not included in the Declaration is subject to confiscation.

It is allowed to import with them a reasonable amount of tobacco products and alcohol (for personal use), as well as currency (with an accurate amount to the declaration). When departing from the country, border guard workers may require prevent documents confirming currency consumption - it may be chasing shops or currency exchange receipts.

It is forbidden to import any propaganda literature on the territory of North Korea, works of foreign authors about South or North Korea, as well as literature of any genre in Korean. It is forbidden to import any materials of pornographic nature, weapons, seeds of plants, ammunition, drugs and binoculars. Grocery products on the territory of the DPRK can be imported only if there are special certificates. Approximately a year ago, a ban on the import into the northern Korea of \u200b\u200bpersonal mobile phones was removed, but for this you need to fill in a special form and specify the personal IMEI identifier in it. At the same time, the tourist right on the border will be asked to acquire a sim card for 50 euros from the local operator Koryolink, which allows you to make calls exclusively abroad.

DPRK for Belarusians

Despite her closeness, North Korea attracts some Belarusian tourists who are ready to overcome any difficulties in the hope of obtaining the visa of this state. Unfortunately, not a single travel agency from Belarus does not design such visas due to the unprofitability of this class - customers who want to travel in this direction are still too little. Even large Russian travel agencies have difficulty with a client base for a trip to North Korea. In addition, there is even no official representation of this country in Belarus. The nearest point of issue of North Korean visas is Moscow, so the only way out of the situation can be called an appeal to one of the Russian travel agencies specializing in the design of Visa DPRK. Such a company will be formed by the tourist group, all members of which will be able to get a believed visa. Professional journalists, photographers and reporters for visiting North Korea will require a special permit without which entry into the country will be impossible.

The cost of the tour in the DPRK will be rather big, and this should also be taken into account. As a rule, such tours offer a weekly journey. It is desirable that there are at least 10 people in the group, then the cost of the tour will cost cheaper. You can get to North Korea through Russian airports in Khabarovsk or Vladivostok. There is also a direct flight from Beijing.

The first thing to start preparation for the trip is to collect all related documents no earlier than four weeks before traveling. This period should be increased for a week, if the trip to North Korea is planned during the holidays. In the case of buying a specialty in Pack or Chillbo, you will also have to hurry with the submission of documents to the agency, since all places can be disassembled in advance. Probably not to explain that the travel agency will not adapt to each client and plan his visit to the DPRK in the most convenient time for it. Everything is quite the opposite - this is a tourist will have to adapt to already existing tours and routes.

To issue a tourist visa to visit North Korea, it is necessary to provide travel agency such documents: the applicant personally signed by the applicant and the same visa application form, the passport and the general Belarusian passport, confirmation of the armor at any North Korean hotel, as well as the official confirmation of the presence of sufficient to travel and stay on The territory of the DPRK funds (for this purpose, securities will be suitable, travelers, bank cards with accounts on accounts, savings books, etc.). In addition, a certified certificate will be required with the necessary statements about the applicant (about his post, salary, etc.). It also takes one standard photo for such cases.

The legislation of North Korea is not limited to the import currency from it from it, but under one condition - its amount must be specified in the declaration, which is issued to the tourist together with the visa. Any currency spent on the territory of the DPRK must be confirmed at paragraph border Control Relevant documents, such as checks of shops. Any product acquired in this country should also be confirmed by checks. When exchanging currency in the North Korean bank, it is necessary to maintain the receipt of this bank.

The importation of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages is allowed, but solely for their own consumption within reasonable limits. All imported gifts and souvenirs, as well as personal jewels, video and cameras, tape recorders, computers and watches are mandatory are made to the declaration, otherwise all these things can be seized by border control officers right during inspection. More recently, portable computers were prohibited to import into the territory of North Korea, and in case of their detection in baggage, such a thing could be confiscated without proceedings. Currently, this ban is removed, but the laptop can still be removed on the border - the reason for this can serve its illegal content (for example, films that will be attributed to the category of propaganda or pornographic). To avoid this, leptop, it is better not to take with you at all, especially since there is no Internet in the DPRK.

The legislation of the DPRK is prohibited to import any propaganda literature on the territory of the state, the works of foreign authors about North Korea or South Korea, as well as any literature in Korean. Also prohibited import of materials of pornographic nature, ammunition, weapons, plant seeds, binoculars, drugs. Grocery products to tourists are allowed to be imported into the DPRK only in the presence of special permits. Recently, in Northern Korea allowed to import their personal mobile phone, after mandatory fill special forms With an indication of the personal phone identifier in it - IMEI. At the same time, each tourist on the border will definitely offer to buy a sim card worth 50 euros, from the North Korean operator Koryolink. Call with such a SIM card can be solely abroad, in the territory of the DPRK of the internal mobile communication will not be.

An important point is such gadgets as mobile phones, it is better to use exclusively for direct purpose, that is, for calls. You should not use your smartphone as a camera or camcorder - representatives of local authorities do not approve. Any video and photographic materials filmed in the country may simply be deleted by the staff of some special Services Even without the consent of the owner of the smartphone.