VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Mongolia
Before traveling to Mongolia, Russian citizens who are not registered in the regions bordering Mongolia must apply for a visa. To do this, the following documents are submitted to the Embassy of the country:
– a foreign passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of completion of the planned trip;
– a copy of the first page of the international passport, and for children inscribed in the parents’ international passport – a copy of the passport page with the child’s data and a copy of the birth certificate;
– 1 passport size photo, and the photo must be taken no earlier than 6 months before applying for a visa;
– 1 visa application form filled in Russian, English or Mongolian and signed personally by the applicant;
– an invitation from the host (hotel or travel agency vouchers)
The standard visa processing time is 5 working days, the cost of issuing a single tourist visa is 25 US dollars, the consular fee is paid at the consular department at the time of submission of documents. For an urgent visa application, a double consular fee is charged.
A tourist visa is valid for 3 months from the date of its issue, it allows you to stay in the country for no more than 30 days. While in Mongolia, you can extend your tourist visa for another 30 days. To do this, one week before the expiration of the visa, you must contact the Office of Foreign Citizens and Naturalization. To extend a visa, you will need a questionnaire filled out in Russian or English, 1 photo, a copy of the first page of the passport and the page with a valid visa, and an application that indicates the reasons why you need to extend your stay in the country. You will also have to pay for a new visa (about 65 US dollars). It is worth remembering that foreign citizens arriving in the country for a period of more than 30 days,
For residents of Russian regions directly bordering Mongolia, a simplified regime for entering the country has been established: they can cross the border without a visa, presenting a foreign passport and a civil passport with a residence permit.
The import of local currency is limited to 815 tugriks. Larger amounts must be accompanied by bank documents confirming the legitimacy of their acquisition. The import of foreign currency is limited to 2,000 US dollars or an equivalent amount of another currency. The export of local and foreign currency is limited to the amount declared in the entry customs declaration.
You can import up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 gr., into the territory of Mongolia duty-free. tobacco, spirits – up to 1 liter, beer – up to 3 liters, or wine – up to 2 liters, as well as goods for personal use for a total amount of not more than 1,000 US dollars. Household appliances, photo, film and video equipment are imported in quantities not exceeding 1 item of each item. The import and export of narcotic, psychotropic, radioactive, explosive and toxic substances, non-canned meat products, weapons and ammunition without the permission of the relevant authorities, samples of plant and animal tissues, blood and preparations based on it, as well as film and video products that can be regarded as as having pornographic content. When exported, furs, animal skins and products made from them are subject to mandatory customs control. gold and its products, precious metals and stones, as well as antiquities and cultural and historical values. The cost of each type of exported products should not exceed 500 US dollars.
Mongolia, Russian Embassy in the country:
Ulaanbaatar, Enkh Tayvan avenue, POBox 661.
Tel.: 327191, 312851.
Fax: 327018.
Contact in Mongolia
You can call abroad in Mongolia from the capital’s hotels, from post offices or from call centers.
In order to call from Russia to Mongolia, you need to dial 8 – 10 – 976 (country code) – area code – subscriber number. The Ulaanbaatar code is 11.
In order to call from Mongolia to Russia, you need to dial 00 – 7 – the area code – the subscriber’s number.
Emergency Phones in Mongolia
Police – 102
Ambulance – 103
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1 – New Year
January 13 – Constitution Day
March 8 – International Women’s Day
June 1 – Mother and Child Day
July 11-13 – Naadam holiday
November 26 – Independence Day
The main Mongolian holiday is Naadam. Celebrations are held throughout the country, usually between July 11 and 13, and are dedicated to the formation of the great Mongolian state. The first mention of Naadam dates back to the 3rd century BC. A visit to Naadam is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of the country. The festival program necessarily includes competitions in three traditional sports: wrestling, archery and horse racing. Also on a large scale, the country celebrates the beginning of the Lunar New Year “Tsagaan Sar” (January-February), Buddha’s Birthday (May-June) and Genghis Khan’s Birthday (end of July).
USEFUL THINGS
Mongolia is generally a safe country for tourism, but traveling through the sparsely populated mountainous, steppe and desert regions should only be accompanied by a guide.
STORES
According to medicinelearners, most Mongolian stores operate on a free schedule.
Tipping
Tipping is not required. Some restaurants add a “commercial tax” on liquor (3-13%) and a government tax (10%) to the bill. If you liked the service, then in the restaurant you can leave a tip in the amount of 5-10% of the amount indicated on the bill.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Mongols are extremely friendly and hospitable. They treat tourists very respectfully, especially their Russian neighbors.
Most Mongols still adhere to a nomadic lifestyle, even many residents of the capital continue to live in yurts.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH CARE
First aid in Mongolia is provided free of charge, but you will have to pay for subsequent treatment. Before traveling to Mongolia, it is strongly recommended to take out international health insurance. In Ulaanbaatar, a paid hospital operates at the Russian embassy.
The country is at risk of contracting plague, cholera (especially in the steppe regions), typhus, diphtheria, meningococcal meningitis, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, B and C and rabies.
Only boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice. Meat and fish should be consumed only after preliminary heat treatment, vegetables – thoroughly washed and scalded with boiling water, and fruits – peeled.
