Mongolia travel advisory today

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Mongolia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Mongolia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Mongolia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit Mongolia for tourism purposes for up to 30 days without a visa until 31 December 2026.

Applying for a visa

To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons you must meet the Mongolian government’s entry requirements. For more details, contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UK.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure the border control officer puts a stamp in your passport or you could face issues when leaving the country.

Travelling with children

Adults accompanying children other than their own should have a notarised letter from the parents or legal guardian to confirm the arrangement.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Mongolia guide.

Registering with the authorities

Your hotel or landlord will register you using an app. If you are travelling independently or staying with friends, you must register yourself with the Mongolian Immigration Agency. You do not need to go in person.

The agency will issue you with a digital residence permit that shows your passport number, address, photograph and fingerprints. Always carry it when you are in Mongolia.

Borders with Mongolia

Mongolia takes border security very seriously and foreign nationals are not routinely allowed access to border areas. The authorities can regard zones of up to 100km inside the border as a border area. If you wish to travel in these areas, you must get permission from the State Frontier Guard Authority. Only a few specified land border crossings are open to foreigners.

Borders within Mongolia

There is currently a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the western provinces of Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii, Govi-Altai and Selenge in Mongolia. Mongolian authorities are taking action to stop the outbreak spreading further but other Mongolian provinces could be affected at short notice. Monitor local media for the latest information.

Border points open to British citizens

There are normally 8 border points open to British passport holders:

• Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar
• Zamin Uud – road and train crossing to China
• Bulgan – road crossing to China in the west
• Bichigt – road crossing to China in the south-east
• Tsagaannuur – road crossing to Russia in the far west
• Sukhbaatar – train crossing to Russia
• Altanbulag – road crossing to Russia
• Ereen-Tsav – road crossing to Russia

You may not cross into China or Russia at other border points, as they are only open to Mongolians, Chinese or Russians.

If you travel by train across the China-Mongolia border, expect a delay of a few hours as the railways use different gauges.

It is difficult to get visas for China or Russia in Mongolia. Ask the Chinese and Russian embassies in London about their visa requirements before travelling to Mongolia.

Mongolia-Russia border

You can only enter Mongolia from Russia on public buses, trains, taxis or private vehicles. All international flights are suspended.

Russian border officials will carefully examine your travel documents.

If you have arrived in Mongolia from Russia and need assistance, call +976 (11) 458 133 and select the option ‘consular services for British nationals’.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Mongolia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

If you become involved in a commercial dispute or a criminal investigation about a customs matter, you may be held in Mongolia until it is resolved. Ask to speak to the British Embassy, especially if the authorities say you must accept a travel ban.

Bringing your vehicle to Mongolia

If you plan to enter Mongolia at a land border crossing in your own vehicle, inform the tax authorities and border troops in advance. Contact Mongolian Customs (in Mongolian). You must complete a customs declaration form. You can do this at the border or at Ulaanbaatar City Customs Office, next to the train station. Make sure you have your driving licence and all the vehicle documents, including ownership records and insurance.

If you do not leave Mongolia in the vehicle you used to enter the country, you must pay customs tax. The amount of tax depends on the vehicle’s engine size and value. For information, see Mongolian Customs (in Mongolian).

If your vehicle breaks down and cannot be fixed, you must pay for it to be transported out of Mongolia or sell it to a local mechanic.

If you sell your broken-down vehicle to a mechanic, you must still pay customs tax when you leave. You must show the customs office evidence you sold the vehicle (proof of sale document, photos, a letter from the mechanic and a police report).

You must not leave your vehicle unattended or abandon it. If you do, Mongolian Customs will contact the British Embassy and send you a fine. If you leave your vehicle in Mongolia, you must pay to store it with a mechanic or at an official customs warehouse. When you leave the country, you must submit a customs declaration form and show your driving licence, car ownership records and proof of valid insurance.

Taking money into Mongolia

You can take in up to 15 million in Mongolian tugriks.

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Mongolia.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 30 days
Business visa: required
Student visa: required

Registration

Visitors must register their stay through the Immigration Agency website within 48 hours of arrival if their stay will exceed 30 days. Your accommodation provider is required to arrange your registration.

Interprovincial travel

An outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is affecting parts of western and southern Mongolia.

FMD mainly affects animals, but control measures may disrupt your travel plans, especially in rural regions.

Mongolian authorities have introduced movement controls, quarantine measures and possible access restrictions in affected areas, including:

• Bayan‑Ölgii province:
• Altai, Deluun, Ölgii, Tsengel and Khovd districts (soums)
• Khovd province:
• Altai, Bulgan and Üyench districts (soums)
• Dundgovi province:
• Gurvansaikhan and Adaatsag districts (soums)

Large public gatherings may also be restricted in Khovd Province.

If you are in Mongolia:

• avoid travel to affected areas
• follow the instructions of local authorities, including quarantine measures
• monitor local media for updates, as restrictions may change quickly and other areas could be affected

Travel to and from China

If you travel to Mongolia through China, or plan to transit through or travel to China from Mongolia, you must meet China’s entry and exit requirements.

Travellers arriving in or departing from Mongolia through China should be aware of Chinese visa regulations. The Chinese embassy in Ulaanbaatar does not always grant visas to foreigners in Mongolia. If you plan to travel to Mongolia and then onward to China, obtain your Chinese visa before the start of your trip.

China’s entry and exit requirements

Travel to and from Russia

If you travel to Mongolia through Russia, or plan to transit through or travel to Russia from Mongolia, you must meet Russia’s entry and exit requirements.

Russia’s entry and exit requirements

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).