Mongolia visa

Last updated: 1st June 2010.

Visa extensions

Visa extensions can be arranged at the Office for Immigration, Naturalisation and Foreign Citizens (OINFC) on Chinggis Ave, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar. Note that the office is closed on Wednesday afternoon. Otherwise the office hours are 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday, with a one hour break for lunch between 13:00 and 14:00. You should go to the OINFC when you arrive in Mongolia taking a letter that explains why you would like your visa extended. You cannot apply for a change of visa category; if you require this service then you must leave the country and apply for a visa of the correct category at an Embassy. The charge for extending a single entry tourist visa is 15 USD for the first week and an additional 2 USD for each additional day. So a 30 day extension should cost 75 USD in total.

If you stay in Mongolia for longer than 30 days you are required to register with the police, you will also need to de-register before you exit Mongolia. Failure to carry out these steps can lead to substantial fines; you also run the risk of detention and temporary denial of exit from the country.

Overstaying a Mongolian visa

Overstaying a Mongolian visa is not recommended. Mongolian border officials routinely apply hefty fines (100 - 300 USD) and may temporarily refuse you exit from the country.

Departure tax

If you decide to leave Mongolia by air then you must pay departure tax in local currency. The charge is currently 12,500 MNT (approx 5.88 GBP / 10.00 USD). There is a small foreign exchange counter at Chinggis Khaan International airport, located right next to the departure tax booth.

Mongolia visa requirements

Visitors to Mongolia should note that due to changes in legislation it is no longer possible to buy a visa at the Mongolian border or at airports upon arrival. If a visa is required, it must be arranged in advance at a Mongolian Embassy.

For a tourist or business visa valid for 30 days or less, an applicant is required to submit the following documentation:

  1. A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of intended departure.
  2. A completed visa application form with one passport sized photo.
  3. Visa fees payable to ‘The Embassy of Mongolia’ in GBP by money order or cashier’s cheque.
  4. Applications for transit visas require a valid visa for onward travel and a valid travel ticket.

Mongolia visa application form

You must complete an application form on the Mongolian Consular Services website. After completing the form, print it out and take it, in person, to the embassy in London. If you cannot attend in person then there are many agencies that will carry out the service on your behalf. Visa guidelines on the Consul website are a little thin on the ground, if you would like further information the Mongolian Embassy webpage is a great place to start.

For applicants outside the UK, contact your nearest Mongolian Embassy to seek further advice on Consular services.

Mongolia visa fees

A single entry visa is valid for three months for a single stay of up to 30 days. The cost is 40 GBP with a typical turnaround of 2-5 working days. The double entry visa, also valid for three months allows for 2 entries with a stay in Mongolia of up to 30 days. The cost is 55 GBP with a turnaround of 2-5 working days.

For multiple entry visas special permission is required from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Mongolia. The visa is available as a 6 month/12month visa and both cost 70 GBP.

Mongolian transit visas are valid for a single / double transit and cost 35 GBP / 55 GBP respectively.

A priority service is available with turnaround within 1 working day. The cost of the priority service is an additional 20 GBP.

Visa exemptions

Nationals from the following countries have a visa-free arrangement with Mongolia and will not need to apply for a visa when travelling for less than the indicated durations. For travel in excess of these values, a visa will be required and should be arranged with the Embassy.

  • Hong Kong: 14 days visa-free
  • Israel: 30 days visa-free
  • Kazakhstan: 90 days visa free
  • Malaysia: 1 month visa-free
  • Philippines: 21 days visa-free
  • Singapore: 14 days visa-free
  • USA: 90 days visa-free

Order a visa through an agent

In the past, when I have had to order multiple visas or had to apply with complicated support documentation, (Russia), I have often employed the services of a dedicated agency. I have found that the extra cost is offset by the price of a train ticket to London, a couple of days of frantic roaming and hours of waiting in queues. Out of all the companies I have tried so far Real Russia is the best of the bunch. I recently ordered my Russian, Mongolian and Chinese multiple entry visas through the company and had them all back in my possession in about 14 days. It’s even easier than postal applications, you only have to send your passport once and they do the legwork, this is a lot faster and safer than sending your passport through the post multiple times to each embassy, by recorded delivery from home.

Currently Real Russia can arrange visas and supporting documentation for Russia, Belarusia, China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

Order a visa online from Real Russia

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