any person is allowed to travel to North Korea; only South Koreans and journalists are routinely denied, although there have been some exceptions for journalists. For instance, Croatian journalists had special access in June 2012, although their phones were confiscated and returned as they departed and they had a special tour guide. Travel agents can help potential visitors through the bureaucratic process. A tourist visa typically comes in the form of a blue travel paper stating "tourist card" () and bearing the country's official name (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) in English and Korean, which is stamped by North Korean customs instead of the passport. The travel paper is taken away upon exiting the country. The tourist visa can also be issued, upon request, in the form of a sticker endorsed in the visitor's passport. However this is only possible if there are any diplomatic representations of North Korea in the visitor's home country. Visitors are not allowed to travel outside designated tour areas without their Korean guides. Before 2010, tourists holding United States passports were not granted visas, except during the Arirang Festival mass games. U.S. citizens, journalists and citizens from other nations have also been given special permission to enter as members of the Korean Friendship Association and Choson Exchange. Citizens of South Korea require special permission from both governments to enter North Korea and are typically not granted such permission for regular tourism except in special tourist areas designated for South Koreans. Only citizens of Singapore and Malaysia were allowed to enter North Korea on normal passports without a visa, although the exemptions for both citizens were revoked in February 2017. See also List of hotels in North Korea List of tourist attractions in Pyongyang Masikryong Ski Resort Munsu Water Park Korea Central Zoo Propaganda in North Korea State General Bureau of Tourist Guidance References Further reading External links Inside North Korea: the ultimate package tour - Carole Cadwalladr, The Observer, 14 February 2010 Departures episode guide Departures season 3, episode 12-13 Traveling North Korea - North Korean travel and photography blog DPR Korea Tour - official website of the National Tourism Administration North Korea bn:উত্তর কোরিয়া#পর্যটন