This page reflects the UK Government’s understanding of the current rules for people travelling from the UK on a full “British Citizen” passport, which apply to the most common types of travel.
Mongolian authorities set and enforce entry rules.
All passengers
You need a visa to enter or travel through Mongolia as a visitor. You should contact the nearest Mongolian embassy for the latest advice on entry requirements and visas. Arriving passengers should follow the instructions given by the authorities on arrival. Requirements for arriving in Mongolia are subject to change. The border between China and Mongolia has been closed except for freight.
COVID-19-related restrictions on entry to Mongolia have been lifted for all UK travellers. A negative COVID-19 PCR test before and after arrival is no longer required.
If you are fully vaccinated
If you are fully vaccinated, you can enter Mongolia without testing or quarantine. All passengers are required to complete a medical declaration form upon arrival at the border checkpoint.
Proof of vaccination status
You do not need to show proof that you have been fully vaccinated to enter Mongolia. However, if asked, you can use a UK COVID Pass to prove your vaccination record. Travellers must complete a medical declaration form upon arrival at a border checkpoint.
If you are not fully vaccinated
If you are not fully vaccinated, you can still enter Mongolia and must complete a medical declaration form upon arrival at the border checkpoint. Travelers wishing to get vaccinated in Mongolia can do so.
children and adolescents
Children 17 and under follow the same rules as adults and do not need to show proof of vaccination to enter Mongolia.
If you are transiting through Mongolia
Transit is when you pass through a country on your way to your final destination.
Passengers are allowed to transit through Mongolia regardless of their vaccination status.
If you are transiting through Mongolia on your way to another country and stop at the airport (airside), or you are transiting through Mongolia on your way to another country and will be passing through immigration (sometimes called a layover), such as staying the next day The hotel for your flight, you should check with your travel agent and the authorities at your final destination what entry requirements may be.
keep traveling
For onward travel from Mongolia to a third country, please see the UK travel advice for these countries.
Be aware that obtaining visas for China and Russia in Mongolia can be difficult. If you are planning to travel to China or Russia from Mongolia, please check with the Chinese and Russian embassies in London for the latest visa requirements before traveling to Mongolia. Foreigners who are not residents of Mongolia are not always able to obtain a Chinese visa from the Chinese embassy in Ulaanbaatar. If you plan to travel to Mongolia and then to China, you should obtain a Chinese visa before your trip begins.
HGV driver
HGV drivers entering Mongolia from the UK do not have to show a negative COVID-19 test, proof of vaccination or recovery, nor do they have to quarantine.
Check your passport and travel documents before travelling
passport expiry date
If you are visiting Mongolia, your passport should be valid for six months from the date of your arrival.
If you are a Mongolian resident, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival.
Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
visa
You need a visa to enter or travel through Mongolia as a visitor. Mongolia visit visas are usually valid for a maximum stay of 30 days within six months from the date of issue. You can extend your visa up to 30 days at a time within six months. Full details can be found in Mongolian Immigration.
If you arrive in Mongolia with the wrong visa, the Mongolian Immigration Service may ask you to pay the correct visa fee or deny you entry.
The Mongolian Border Agency will collect biometric data (scan your fingerprints) upon your arrival.
online visa
From November 2021, UK citizens can apply online for the following 3 types of visas
- Tourist visa (K2) valid for 30 days
- Visa (K4) to participate in sports, cultural, film/content and artistic events, valid for 30 days
- Transit visa (K6) valid for 10 days
If you apply for a visa of the above categories, you no longer need to go to the Mongolian embassy closest to you. Electronic visas are usually issued within 72 hours of application. Applicants should bring the electronic or printed version of the visa to present to the airline and Mongolian authorities upon arrival.
Companies and individuals inviting UK citizens to Mongolia from the UK can apply online for entry clearance to obtain a visa on arrival. This only applies to single or multiple entry visas in the Tourist (J) and Business Visit (B) categories.
The inviting company needs to log in to the immigration website and follow the instructions to upload the invitation letter, application, etc. Immigration authorities will notify the inviting organization or individual by email or text message if all required documents are provided. Once permission is granted, foreign citizens can obtain a Mongolian visa upon arrival. You should make sure to get confirmation before traveling to Mongolia.
You should keep in mind that at the point of entry, immigration authorities may interview you and they can deny you entry to Mongolia. It is important to invite a person or company to provide complete and truthful information about the person.
other visas
If you are unsure of the type of visa required or need another type of visa, please contact the nearest Mongolian embassy.
travel with children
Adults accompanying children other than their own should have a notarized letter from the child’s legal guardian confirming the arrangement. For more information, please contact the Mongolian Embassy in London.
register
If you plan to stay in Mongolia for more than 30 days or if you do not have an entry and exit visa, you must register your stay at the Mongolian Immigration Office in Ulaanbaatar within one week of arrival. After registration, you will be issued a residence permit. The permit will include your date of birth, passport number, address, photograph and fingerprints. You should take it with you when you are in Mongolia.
UK emergency travel document
If you are a permanent resident or transiting airside, you can only enter Mongolia with a UK Emergency Travel Document (ETD). ETD can be used to leave Mongolia. If your ETD was issued in Mongolia and you are a permanent resident of Mongolia, you will need to obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Department. If you do not have a residence permit, you do not need an exit permit to leave Mongolia on the ETD.
border crossing
There are usually 8 border crossings open to UK passport holders. They are at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar, the road/train to China is in Zamin Uud, the road to China from Bulgan in the west, the road to China from Bikit in the southeast, the road to Tsagaannuur to Russia In the far west, the train crosses Russia at Sukhbaatar and the road to Russia at Altanbulag and Ereen-Tsav. You are not allowed to enter China or Russia at any other border points as they are either seasonal or only open to Mongolians, Chinese or Russians.
If you plan to bring your vehicle into Mongolia at any border crossing, you should notify tax authorities and border guards in advance.
If you are crossing the China/Mongolia border by train, expect a delay of several hours as the railways use different gauges.
When entering Mongolia by train from Russia, you may have problems, especially with Russian border or customs officials reviewing documents (especially customs declarations) very carefully. If you are traveling to and from Russia by land, please be careful when completing all the necessary paperwork.
Enter Mongolia by car
If you are driving into Mongolia, you should be familiar with Mongolian customs laws.
If you are entering Mongolia by private vehicle, you should complete a customs declaration form and ensure that you have all valid vehicle documents, including driver’s license, title records and insurance. You can fill out the customs declaration form at the border and at the Ulaanbaatar city customs office next to the Ulaanbaatar railway station.
If you enter Mongolia in a private car, you must leave in the same car, otherwise customs duties will apply. The tax amount depends on the size of the engine and the value of the vehicle. You can find more details on the Mongolian Customs webpage.
If your vehicle breaks down in Mongolia, you won’t be able to park it there without paying customs duties. If your vehicle breaks down and cannot be repaired, you have to pay to ship it out of Mongolia, or sell it to a local mechanic, but you still have to pay the duty. Under no circumstances should you leave your vehicle unattended or abandoned.
If you leave your vehicle in Mongolia, you must store it in a safe place, kept by a mechanic or an official customs warehouse, you need to submit a complete customs declaration and pay a monthly fee for storage. If you leave your vehicle with a mechanic in Mongolia because it cannot be repaired, you must provide customs with proof (photo and letter from the mechanic and police report). If you choose to sell your vehicle, you will need to show proof of sale.
Duties can only be paid in local currency (MNT) and must be paid directly to the customs office. If you want to leave your vehicle and then return for pickup at a later date, you should still pay the tax up front, which will be refunded to you when you return to take the vehicle out of Mongolia. If you are unable to return in person, have a third party pay the initial tax and then collect the refund on your behalf.
Back to the UK
Check what you must do to return to the UK.
