Get Your North Korea Dual Citizenship – Learn How to Apply

Q: Does North Korea allow dual citizenship?

No. North Korea prohibits dual citizenship. Acquiring another nationality may result in the loss of North Korean citizenship.

Q: Can foreigners naturalize in North Korea?

In theory, yes, but in practice it is extremely rare. The process is opaque and discretionary.

Q: What happens if I was born in North Korea but left the country?

If you acquired another nationality, you may be stripped of North Korean citizenship. Returnees are often treated as foreigners or with suspicion.

Q: Do I have to pay taxes in North Korea?

North Korea does not use a conventional tax system. Citizens typically fulfill economic obligations through labor or state contributions.

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Eligibility Overview

By Birth: Citizenship is automatically granted to children born in North Korea to at least one North Korean parent.
By Descent: Individuals born abroad to North Korean parents may qualify, but must be officially registered and recognized by North Korean authorities.
By Marriage: Foreign spouses of North Korean citizens may theoretically obtain citizenship, but this is extremely rare and tightly controlled.
By Naturalization: Naturalization is almost never granted to foreigners and is not a publicly accessible process.
Special Exception – Dual Citizenship Not Allowed: North Korea does not allow dual citizenship. Any North Korean acquiring another nationality may lose their North Korean citizenship automatically.

Note: North Korean citizenship law is largely opaque, and access to legal recourse or immigration services is extremely limited. Most dual nationals are treated as foreign citizens or denied entry.

Step-by-Step Process

Determine if you have a North Korean parent or were born in North Korea.
Request official recognition of citizenship through the Ministry of People’s Security or consular channels (if available).
Submit family lineage documentation and renunciation of foreign citizenship if required.
Wait for approval, which is discretionary and not guaranteed.

Benefits of North Korean Citizenship

Right to reside in North Korea (though heavily monitored)
Access to state employment and rations (subject to loyalty and classification)
Limited travel and migration rights within controlled environments

Frequently asked questions.

Does North Korea allow dual citizenship?

No. North Korea prohibits dual citizenship. Individuals must renounce all other nationalities, and any citizen acquiring foreign nationality risks revocation of North Korean citizenship.

Can I get North Korean citizenship through my parents?

Possibly. If one or both of your parents are North Korean, you may qualify by descent, but you must be recognized by the government through official registration.

Can foreigners naturalize in North Korea?

In theory, yes, but in practice it is nearly impossible. The process is not transparent, and applications are rarely accepted.

What happens if I was born in North Korea but left the country?

If you acquired another nationality, you may no longer be considered a citizen. North Korea often treats returnees with suspicion or as foreigners.

Do I have to pay taxes in North Korea?

North Korea does not operate a conventional tax system for citizens. Economic obligations are often fulfilled through state-mandated labor or contributions.