Entry to Mongolia is possible in visa-free and visa-required options.

When crossing the border of Mongolia by citizens of visa-free countries, it is necessary to have a national passport/ID card valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. In addition, an international driver's license is needed when crossing the border by car.

Holders of United Nations laissez-passer (UNLP) documents and officials of specialized UN agencies traveling to Mongolia for business and residence purposes are exempted from the need to obtain a visa for a stay in the country of up to 30 days.

If you plan to travel to Mongolia and then to China, you should obtain a Chinese visa before you travel.

What are the document processing requirements for citizens of countries where visa processing is required?

Foreigners coming to Mongolia for tourism do not need any invitations.

All documents must be printed and certified. The Embassy does not accept copies.

1. Documents required for issuing a tourist visa:

• Completed questionnaire. The form can be found online on the embassy's website or picked up in person at the time of application;
• Original foreign passport (must be valid for at least six months before the trip to Mongolia);
• Photo 3.5 × 4.5 cm;
• Confirmation of visa fee payment (the fee is non-refundable);
• Confirmation of the availability of sufficient funds, i.e., bank statements for the last six months (if necessary)
• Proof of residence in Mongolia, such as a hotel reservation, certificate of residence, letter of residence or hotel confirmation letter

To obtain a K2-type tourist visa, you must provide the following materials:

• A copy of the passport or a corresponding valid substitute thereof (must be valid for at least 180 days before the trip to Mongolia);
• An official invitation if the tourist is traveling with his family;
• Other necessary documents as needed (confirmation of a round-trip air ticket);
• Payment receipt;
• Completed questionnaire.

To obtain a K4-type tourist visa, the following documents are required for the inviting organization and legal entity:

• Official request letter from the inviting individuals and legal entities (must include the type of activity of the organization, length of stay, and point of obtaining a visa);
• Certificate of state registration of a legal entity, special license (if issued for a certain type of enterprise activity);
• Copy of passport or relevant document (must be valid for at least 180 days before travel to Mongolia);
• Other necessary documents as needed (booking a round-trip air ticket);
• Payment of the receipt;
• Completed application (it is possible to apply online);
• Application for K4 visa applicants (31-90 days);
• Application for K4 visa applicants (up to 90 days);

Necessary documents for the inviting individuals and legal entities:

• Official request letter from the inviting individuals and legal entities (must include the type of activity of the organization, length of stay, and point of obtaining a visa);
• Certificate of state registration of a individuals and legal entities, special license (if issued for a certain type of enterprise activity);
• Copy of passport or relevant document (must be valid for at least 180 days before travel to Mongolia);
• Other necessary documents as needed (booking a round trip ticket);
• Payment of the receipt;
• Completed application (it is possible to apply online)

Note:

• A response will be sent to the registered e-mail in case of refusal to issue a visa
• The visa permit is valid for 60 days after issuance
• The visitor applies for a residence permit according to the visa category to the Immigration Agency of Mongolia within 21 days from the date of entry into the country.
• The visitor must apply for a residence permit if he plans to stay for more than 180 days during the year
• The visitor can reapply after 180 days if the documents are found to be forged or the visa was obtained by false declaration, and after 30 days if the application was rejected for other reasons.

Note: The visa officer may require you to submit additional documents to confirm the purpose of your visit.

With an ordinary tourist visa, it is possible to stay in Mongolia for up to 30 days. It can be extended for another 30 days at the Immigration Agency of Mongolia if the tourist applies for an extension at least four days before the expiration of your visa.

2. Documents required for a business visa, work visa and student visa:

• Completed questionnaire;
• Origin of foreign passport (must be valid for at least six months before the trip to Mongolia);
• Photo 3,5 x 4,5 cm;
• Permission to obtain a visa from the Mongolian immigration agency
• Confirmation of the visa fee payment (the fee is not returned).

Permission to obtain a visa must be submitted by the individuals and legal entities who invite the tourist to Mongolia. A foreigner may apply for a visa only after the permit has been issued and notified to the relevant diplomatic mission where the visitor is applying for the visa.

Detailed information: https://immigration.gov.mn/mn/

3. Documents required for issuing an official/diplomatic visa:

• Completed questionnaire;
• Origin of foreign passport (must be valid for at least six months before the trip to Mongolia);
• Photo 3,5 x 4,5 cm;
• Permission to obtain a visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia;
• Official request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Foreign Diplomatic Missions;
• The visa fee depends on the purpose of the visit.

Categories of visas in Mongolia:

Diplomatic visa. Intended for foreign citizen who has a diplomatic passport, UN employees or high-ranking officials who have a pass;

Diplomatic/Official Visa (A). This visa is issued if:

• foreign citizens with an official passport, UN employees and high-ranking persons with passes who have to visit the country for official purposes. This category also includes those who have ordinary passports and must visit the country under the responsibility of international organizations and their family members
• foreign citizens who have an official or ordinary passport, who visit the country with official work assignments due to the invitation of state, municipal organizations or political parties;
• foreigners who have to work in the country under an intergovernmental agreement and have an official or ordinary passport;
• journalists of a foreign government or an international media organization who have an official or ordinary passport;

Standard:

1. Business "B". This type of visa is issued to foreign travelers who will enter Mongolia for short-term business purposes, such as attending meetings, negotiations, etc. In other words, it is possible to work for a Mongolian company with a business visa;

2. Mongolian tourist visa:

type "K2" (for a period of up to 30 days with the possibility of extension for another 30 days) is intended for foreign citizens who want to visit Mongolia as tourists for a short period; an application is submitted at the Mongolian diplomatic missions and international border points;

type "K4" is issued for participants in sports or cultural and artistic events, as well as for creating films and content.

3. Study visa "S". This visa allows you to study at a higher education institution in Mongolia or undergo professional or scientific research and training.

4. A private “H” visa (up to 90 days, non-extendable) is issued to a foreigner whose family member already resides in the country for personal purposes or is to visit for personal purposes.

5. Religious visa "SH" is issued for foreign citizens who enter or stay in the country under the responsibility of religious organizations. The required document is confirmation from the Ministry.

6. Humanitarian visa "O" - issued to foreign citizens who work as volunteers in non-governmental organizations or international humanitarian organizations. Necessary documents - confirmation from the Ministry, employer or immigration service.

7. Migration “TS” Family/Visit Visa to Mongolia. This visa is intended for:

• foreigners who have a family member who is already in Mongolia; for foreigners who are married to a citizen of Mongolia and their marriage is registered. In this case, a GB1 visa is issued;
• foreign spouses, parents and children work for non-governmental organizations or International Humanitarian Organizations. In this case, a GB1-F visa is issued;
• a child of a foreigner under the age of 18, who was born to a citizen of Mongolia. In this case, a GB2 visa is issued.

Based on the intended purpose, there are visas:

• "entry" – is used for the residence of foreigners in Mongolia for more than 90 days. The entry visa is issued to temporary visitors and residents for official and personal purposes;
• "entry-exit" – is used for staying in Mongolia for less than 90 days;
• "exit-entry" – applies to a long-term business resident who temporarily leaves Mongolia for no more than 90 days or to a permanent residence, expatriate, or stateless person who temporarily leaves Mongolia for no more than 120 days – intended for residents with official and personal purposes, those who temporarily leave Mongolia with the intention of returning.
• "transit" – applies to a foreign citizen or stateless person for transit through the territory of Mongolia.
• "exit" – applies to a foreign national, a stateless person who is a temporary or permanent resident for business or personal reasons, who leaves Mongolia for more than 90 days or permanently.

In general, anyone traveling for less than 90 days is considered a temporary visitor, while those staying for more than 90 days for private or official purposes are considered foreign residents.

Personal goals include education, employment, investments, family stays, and other private ventures.

Foreign diplomats, UN staff, intergovernmental organizations and media representatives who come to work for their organizations in Mongolia for more than 90 days and their family members are considered foreign residents for official purposes.

A visa can be issued for single, double and multiple entries depending on the visit's purpose and the applicant's choice.

The period of stay for an entry visa with a single or double entry is up to 90 days; for a multiple-entry visa for temporary visitors - 30 days; for a transit visa with single or double entry – 10 days. For example, an entry visa for temporary visitors is valid for 90 days with a 30-day stay.

More details can be found at the link: https://www.embassymongolia.in/visa.php 

What is the validity period of visas to Mongolia?

The validity period of all visas (except "exit" visas) is 90 days from the moment of their issuance. The year, month, and day of issue are indicated on the visa letter.

The validity period of the visa is indicated as follows:

• "transit" visa – up to 5 days;
• "entry-exit" visa – up to 30 days for a traveler, up to 90 days for a temporary resident;
• "exit-entry" visa – up to 120 days for a permanent resident or emigrant
• a foreign citizen or stateless person - up to 90 days for other foreign citizens;
• multiple entry visa – 183 days or 365 days;
• "exit" visa – 10 days.

Foreign nationals must provide their biometric data at the border control when entering Mongolia. Accommodation providers, hotels, etc., must register foreign nationals online through the portal (immigration.gov.mn) within 48 hours.

Is it possible to change the visa type?

The type of visa issued to a foreign citizen or stateless person can be changed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Administrative Ministry. The mark "Cancelled" is placed on the visa to cancel a visa.

Is it possible to change the validity of the visa?

A new visa can be issued based on the previous visa if the visa has expired.

The validity period can be extended only once for up to 30 days as follows:

• the extension of a transit visa holder's diplomatic or official visa or temporary residence is determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• The "exit-entry" visa of a permanent resident or emigrant of a foreign citizen or a stateless person can be extended only once by a diplomatic mission, the Honorary Consul of Mongolia, with the permission of the Administrative Ministry for the period allowed by the Law of Mongolia "On the Status of Foreign Citizens".

What are the methods of obtaining visas to Mongolia?

In one of the embassies or consulates of Mongolia abroad

Upon arrival at the airport or border crossing point (for certain nationalities). This is only for short-term purposes such as tourism and transit

Electronic visas (e-Visa) can be submitted through the portal: https://www.evisa.mn/ 

1.  Issuance of a visa at the embassy.

• You must contact the relevant embassy/consulate to make an appointment. This can be done by following the link: https://consul.mn/?moduls=2
• The embassy/consulate will inform you which documents need to be submitted for the visa application;
• Download the application form for a visa to Mongolia on the website of the embassy/consulate;
• Collect the necessary documents;
• Apply at the embassy/consulate or send it by mail;
• Pay the visa fee. The fee varies depending on the visa's validity period and the country.
• Sometimes there is no need to make an appointment, as the embassy may offer the option of submitting your application by post.
• The application will be processed within approximately five working days, depending on the country the tourist is applying from and the application method.

Note: suppose a foreigner applies for a long-term visa, for example, for employment. In that case, a sponsor in Mongolia is required to obtain permission on behalf of the applicant from the Department of Immigration, Naturalization, and Foreign Nationals of Mongolia. Once the foreigner's sponsor receives approval, the sponsor or the appropriate government agency will refer the foreigner to a diplomatic mission where the tourist can apply for a visa to Mongolia.

2. Visa on arrival.

Mongolia visa on arrival is for tourism or transit only. If traveling for a reason other than tourism or transit, you need to have a sponsor to obtain a visa from Mongolia in advance or contact the nearest Mongolian embassy or consulate.

Documents required to apply for a visa on arrival:

• a foreign passport that is valid for the next six months from the planned date of travel;
• insurance;
• proof of residence (for example, hotel reservation);
• return ticket

What is a "pre-arranged Mongolia visa on arrival"?

Suppose the tourist is from a country without diplomatic representation of Mongolia, and the trip takes place either for business or official purposes. In that case, getting a visa is possible upon arrival at the Ulaanbaatar airport.

The traveler must have a sponsor in Mongolia who can apply for a visa to the Mongolian Immigration Department on behalf of the tourist before travel.

Upon arrival at the airport, you must have:

• Visa approval at the Immigration Agency of Mongolia or Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.
• Completed visa application form;
• Passport photo of 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm;
• Confirmation of accommodation in Mongolia (for example, hotel reservation);
• return ticket; 
• A fee of 108,000 Mongolian Tugriks (approximately US$38) must also be paid.

3. Electronic visas (e-Visa).

Citizens of these countries can apply for three categories of e-visa through the portal https://www.evisa.mn/, which are:

1. tourist visa K2
2. tourist visa K4
3. transit visa K6 (for transit up to 10 days)

E-Visa applicants are not required to submit their passport and original supporting documents to the nearest Mongolian diplomatic mission in person and receive the e-Visa by email within 72 hours. However, applicants are advised to have a digital or printed version of their e-Visa to present to airlines and Mongolian border guards when traveling to Mongolia.

Foreign nationals who are not in the countries listed above must apply for a visa at the nearest Mongolian embassy.

You can find out more at the link: https://immigration.gov.mn/en/k2-visa-permit/

In what case can entry to Mongolia be refused?

The following persons will be refused entry to Mongolia:

1. children and disabled persons, if a guardian does not accompany them;
2. persons convicted of criminal offenses in Mongolia;
3. persons declared persona non grata;
4. persons who threaten the national security or public order of Mongolia:
5. persons who do not have financial resources for residence and return from Mongolia.

Travel insurance policy.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons who work for foreigners, entities and organizations and operate on the territory of Mongolia with the help of foreign aid and loans; diplomatic representatives of foreign countries and foreign citizens who work in international organizations, unless otherwise provided for by the international treaties of Mongolia, are insured under the mandatory health insurance system.

If other foreign citizens and stateless persons wish to be insured, they can be insured under the compulsory insurance system.

A travel insurance policy to Mongolia should include repatriation and medical insurance. The policy's price is, on average, up to 12 thousand US dollars.

Crossing the Mongolian border with children.

When traveling to Mongolia with children, you must have the following documents:

• foreign passport for the child or an entry in the passport of the parents (if the passport is of an old model);
• notarized permission to leave if both parents do not accompany the minor child on the trip.