Mongolia

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.

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.

Emergency services in Mongolia

Ambulance: 103

Fire: 101

Police: 102 (includes traffic police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Mongolia
• dealing with a death in Mongolia
• being arrested or imprisoned in Mongolia
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Mongolia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Fuel shortages in Mongolia

There are reports of fuel shortages in Mongolia, including aviation fuel. Fuel supply disruptions may affect domestic and international flights, road travel and access to some remote areas. Check with your airline or transport provider before travelling, allow extra time for journeys  and follow advice from the local authorities.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

Always carry your passport. If the police ask you for ID they will not accept a copy and you could be fined. Keep copies of the photo page and the page with your Mongolian entry stamp in a separate place.

If you are a resident, carry your registration card.

Respecting religious customs

Show respect in Buddhist monasteries. Always ask for permission to take photographs and do not touch sacred images or objects.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences   

It is illegal to possess or use any type of drugs, including cannabis. If you are found guilty of drug trafficking, you could face a life sentence. Mongolian prisons have very basic facilities.

Using cameras

It is illegal to photograph or video police, police escorts or military personnel. You could be arrested and fined. The court decides the fine based on the degree of social danger of the crime and the income of the defendant.

LGBT+ travellers

Although not illegal, same-sex relationships are not generally accepted socially.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs   

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected species of wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. You could get a fine and a prison sentence.

Phone and wifi coverage

Most UK phone networks operate in the cities and wifi is widely available in hotels, restaurants and bars, especially in Ulaanbaatar. You can buy local SIM cards and mobile phones. In rural Mongolia there are large areas that do not have network coverage.