The U.S. government's travel ban on its citizens from visiting North Korea took effect on Friday.

U.S. passport holders seeking to visit the North now must prove to the State Department their visits are related to the U.S. national interest, media coverage or humanitarian purposes.

The Associated Press says the State Department has released new details about the exemption process, saying applicants must email or mail a statement explaining why their trip to North Korea serves the national interest, along with documentation to substantiate it. 

Applicants must also send a copy of their identification and contact information.

The department will notify applicants whether they’ve been deemed eligible or not. Those granted exceptions will receive a letter they can use to obtain a Special Validation Passport for a single trip to North Korea.

For those denied, there is no appeal.

Under the law, Americans who violate the ban could face a fine and up to ten years in prison for a first offense. The State Department has emphasized the possibility that those who violate the ban would have their passports revoked.

The ban was announced in July after the death of American student Otto Warmbier following his release from North Korea.

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