Travel Advisory Level 4: Do Not Visit North Korea, Says Washington

The U.S. State Department has kept its Level‑4 “Do Not Travel” warning for North Korea in place, signaling the highest level of travel risk. American travelers remain vulnerable to detainment without clear legal justification and may be held for indeterminate periods.

Because diplomatic relations between the two nations are absent, the United States cannot guarantee consular assistance in an emergency. The advisory notes that the use of a U.S. passport for entry into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has been prohibited since September 2017, except under a rare, pre‑approved exemption.

A notice in the Federal Register extends the existing travel ban through August 31 2027. Authorities emphasized that the decision will be reviewed periodically, but current conditions still warrant the strongest warning.