Work visas must be obtained with a work permit and a residence permit. All of them must be obtained before arrival in the country and can be extended for up to a year.

Work permits are only available if the foreigner is sponsored by an employer, which must be a local Mongolian enterprise.

At the same time, the employer company should know that there is a quota for the number of foreign workers it can hire. This quota is set by the Mongolian government each year and may vary depending on the company's industry. Usually, the quota is set for 5% to 20% of the company's total workforce in the country.

What types of work visas can be issued to work in Mongolia?

1. Single-entry business visa ("B" visa): This visa allows foreign nationals to enter Mongolia for business purposes, such as conferences and meetings. "B" visas are valid for a maximum of 30 days and must be sponsored by a company in Mongolia;

2. Mongolian work visa ("HG" visa). With this type of visa, it is possible to work in Mongolia. Still, you will need to find an employer who can obtain permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mongolian Immigration Agency. The HG visa must be obtained before the individual arrives in Mongolia together with the residence permit.

Necessary documents: completed form № 9, a 3*4 passport photo taken no later than six months ago, a passport valid for at least six months and at least two blank pages in it, and proof of visa fee payment.

3. An investor visa ("T" visa) is intended for a foreign investor or a senior official who must work at the management level of an entity with foreign investment, its branch, or representative office.

What is the most common HG work visa application procedure in Mongolia?

1. In Mongolia, the employer must initiate the process of applying for a work visa. The stages of the process are as follows:

2. In order for a Mongolian company to issue an invitation letter to a potential employee, the employer must submit a request to the Mongolian immigration agency. In the request, the employer must provide the employee's CV, all relevant certificates, and a copy of the employment contract.

3. The Agency will consult with the Labor and Social Security Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Once all three organizations approve the request, an invitation letter will be sent to the Mongolian consulate or embassy in the employee's country of residence.

4. The employee must apply for an "HG" work visa at the consulate or embassy after receiving the invitation.

5. The employee travels to Mongolia, and the employer registers their address; registration must be completed at the Mongolian Immigration Agency within seven days of arrival.

To obtain a work permit, it is necessary to apply to the Labor and Social Security Agency. In addition, the employer will have to provide the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Completed questionnaire
• Passport valid for at least one year
• Copies of passport pages containing the applicant's name and date of birth, passport number, passport issue date and expiration date
• A copy of the employer's certificate of registration in Mongolia

6. The employer applies for a visa extension and residence permit. Initially, the "HG" visa is valid for 30 days. However, within ten days of the employee's arrival in Mongolia, the employer must apply for an extension to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Then the work visa is valid for a year and allows multiple entries. The employer also applies for a long-term residence permit during the visa conversion process. The residence permit is also valid for a year.

7. After completing all these steps, a foreign worker can legally start working in Mongolia.

Note: A foreign worker must register with the Mongolian Immigration Office within a week of arrival to extend their visa; if the worker has a work permit, this will most likely be an annual multiple-entry visa.

The family of a foreign worker is prohibited from entering the country on a Mongolian work visa. They must apply for an "H" visa (for family visits or personal invitations)