Moving to Mongolia: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

3,168,026

Population Growth Rate

1.44%

Urban Population

68.500000

Population in Major Urban Areas

ULAANBAATAR (capital) 1.184 million

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Age Structure

26.920000

Median Age

26.900000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

20

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

5.98

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.18

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

55%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

55%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Ethnic Groups

Mongol (predominantly Khalkha) 85%, Turkic (of which Kazakh is the largest group) 7%, Tungusic 4.6%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 3.4%

Nationality Noun

Mongolian(s)

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Literacy - total population

97.8%

Literacy - male

98%

Literacy - female

97.5%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.5%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

15.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

68.950000

Infant Mortality Rate

34.780000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

34.780000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

63

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

2.76

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

6.8

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.3%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14.4%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

94.800000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

65.300000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

5.3%

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Economic Overview

Despite its small population and landlocked geography, Mongolia's economy has seen significant growth and transformation in recent decades, driven primarily by its mining sector and strategic location as a gateway between Asia's economic powerhouses.

The Mining Boom Mongolia's economy has been deeply influenced by its abundance of natural resources, particularly coal, copper, gold, and rare earth minerals.

The mining sector has experienced a boom in recent years, attracting significant foreign investment and contributing substantially to the country's GDP.

Projects such as the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine, operated by multinational companies including Rio Tinto, have become major drivers of economic growth and export revenues.

Challenges and Opportunities While the mining sector has propelled Mongolia's economic expansion, it also presents challenges and vulnerabilities.

The country's heavy reliance on mineral exports makes its economy susceptible to fluctuations in global commodity prices.

Moreover, issues such as environmental concerns, infrastructure deficits, and regulatory uncertainties have posed challenges to sustainable mining development.

To mitigate these challenges and diversify its economy, Mongolia has been actively pursuing economic reforms and seeking to attract investment in other sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy.

Efforts to improve infrastructure, enhance governance, and strengthen institutions are crucial for fostering a more resilient and inclusive economy.

Strategic Positioning Mongolia's strategic location between China and Russia offers unique opportunities for trade and investment.

As China continues to expand its Belt and Road Initiative, Mongolia stands to benefit from increased connectivity and trade linkages with its neighbors.

Moreover, initiatives such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor provide avenues for regional cooperation and economic integration.

Challenges Ahead Despite its economic potential, Mongolia faces several challenges on its path to sustainable development.

Income inequality, especially between urban and rural areas, remains a pressing issue, requiring targeted policies to promote inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

Moreover, the country's dependence on natural resources underscores the importance of prudent resource management, environmental protection, and diversification strategies.

Industries

• construction materials
• mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold)
• oil
• food and beverages
• processing of animal products

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$12,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$37,600,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$12,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$12,410,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 53.7% government
• consumption: 11.3% investment in fixed
• capital: 30% investment in
• inventories: 5% exports of goods and
• services: 51.9% imports of goods and
• services: -51.9%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

16.6%

GDP by Sector- Industry

33.1%

GDP by Sector- services

50.3%

Industrial Growth Rate

3%

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Inflation Rate

13%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

togrog/tugrik (MNT)

Currency Name and Code

Mongolia Tughrik (MNT)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

17.5%

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Labor Force

1,068,000

Unemployment Rate

11.5%

Major Industries

• construction materials
• mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold)
• oil
• food and beverages
• processing of animal products

Agriculture Products

wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops, sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses

Population Below Poverty Line

36.1%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

106,203

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

18%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

33%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

10.6%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

56.4%

Annual Budget

$2,260,000,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-8.1%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

31.1%

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Full Country Name

none

Country Name

Mongolia

Local - Long

none

Local - Short

Mongol Uls

Former Name

Outer Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic

Etymology- history of name

the name means "Land of the Mongols" in Latin; the Mongolian name Mongol Uls translates as "Mongol State"

Independence

• 29 December 1911 (independence declared from China
• in actuality, autonomy attained)
• 11 July 1921 (from China)

National Holiday

Naadam (games) holiday (commemorates independence from China in the 1921 Revolution), 11-15 July; Constitution Day (marks the date that the Mongolian People's Republic was created under a new constitution), 26 November (1924)

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Government Type

semi-presidential republic

Constitution

• history: several previous; latest adopted 13 January 1992, effective 12 February 1992
• amendments: proposed by the State Great Hural, by the president of the republic, by the government, or by petition submitted to the State Great Hural by the Constitutional Court; conducting referenda on proposed amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the State Great Hural; passage of amendments by the State Great Hural requires at least three-quarters majority vote; passage by referendum requires majority participation of qualified voters and a majority of votes; amended 1999, 2000, 2019, 2023; note - an amendment passed in a referendum held in May 2023 increased the seats in the State Great Hural from 76 to 126

Legal System:

civil law system influenced by Soviet and Romano-Germanic legal systems; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH (since 25 June 2021)
• head of government: Prime Minister Gombojavyn ZANDANSHATAR (since 13 June 2025)
• cabinet: Cabinet directly appointed by the prime minister election/appointment
• process: presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in the State Great Hural and directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for one 6-year term; following legislative elections, the State Great Hural usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister most recent election
• date: 9 June 2021
• election results: 2021: Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH elected president in first round; percent of vote - Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH (MPP) 68%, Dangaasuren ENKHBAT (RPEC) 20.1%, Sodnomzundui ERDENE (DP) 6% 2017: Khaltmaa BATTULGA elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Khaltmaa BATTULGA (DP) 38.1%, Miyegombo ENKHBOLD (MPP) 30.3%, Sainkhuu GANBAATAR (MPRP) 30.2%, invalid 1.4%; percent of vote in second round - Khaltmaa BATTULGA 55.2%, Miyegombo ENKHBOLD 44.8% expected date of next
• election: 2027

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral State Great Hural or Ulsyn Ikh Khural (126 seats; 78 members directly elected in a selected constituency by simple majority vote and 48 members directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms);
• Note: a constitutional referendum passed in May 2023 increased the number of seats to 126 from 76
• Elections: last held on 24 June 2020 (next to be held 30 June 2024)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - MPP 44.9%, DP 24.5%, Our Coalition 8.1%, independent 8.7%, Right Person Electorate Coalition 5.2%, other 8.5%; seats by party - MPP 62, DP 11, Our Coalition 1, Right Person Electorate Coalition 1; independent 1;
• Composition: 63 men, 13 women; percent of women 17.1%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court chief justice and judges appointed by the president upon recommendation by the General Council of Courts - a 14-member body of judges and judicial officials - to the State Great Hural; appointment is for life; chairman of the Constitutional Court elected from among its members; members appointed from nominations by the State Great Hural - 3 each by the president, the State Great Hural, and the Supreme Court; appointment is 6 years; chairmanship limited to a single renewable 3-year term
• subordinate courts: aimag (provincial) and capital city appellate courts; soum, inter-soum, and district courts; Administrative Cases Courts

Regions or States:

21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan), Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs

Political Parties and Leaders:

• 36 parties registered for the 2020 legislative elections to the State Great Hural
• among them, the following parties won seats: Democratic Party or DP [Sodnomzunduin ERDENE]
• Mongolian People's Party or MPP [Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH] others include: Civil Will-Green Party or CWGP [Tserendorj GANKHUYAG]
• Justice Party [Batbayar NASANBILEG]
• Mongolian National Democratic Party or MNDP [Bayanjargal TSOGTGEREL]
• Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]
• Mongolian Social Democratic Party or MSDP [Adiya GANBAATAR]
• Mongolian Traditionally United Party or MTUP [Batdelgeriin BATBOLD]
• National Labor Party or HUN [Togmidyn DORJKHAND]
• Coalitions: Our Coalition (MPRP, CWGP, and MTUP)
• Right Person Electorate Coalition or RPEC (HUN, MSDP, Justice Party) [Togmidyn DORJKHAND]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: both parents must be citizens of Mongolia; one parent if born within Mongolia dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

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Capital Name

Ulaanbaatar

Capital - geographic coordinate

47 55 N, 106 55 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Mongolia has two time zones - Ulaanbaatar Time (8 hours in advance of UTC) and Hovd Time (7 hours in advance of UTC)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends last Saturday in September

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International Organization Participation:

• ADB
• ARF
• CD
• CICA
• CP
• EBRD
• EITI (compliant country)
• FAO
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC
• MIGA
• MINURSO
• MONUSCO
• NAM
• OPCW
• OSCE
• SCO (observer)
• UN
• UNAMID
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNISFA
• UNMISS
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Richard L. BUANGAN (since November 2022)
• Embassy: Denver Street #3, 11th Micro-District, Ulaanbaatar 14190
• Mailing Address: 4410 Ulaanbaatar Place, Washington DC 20521-4410
• Telephone: [976] 7007-6001
• FAX: [976] 7007-6174
• Email: UlaanbaatarACS@state.gov
• Website: https://mn.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador BATBAYAR Ulziidelger (since 1 December 2021)
• Chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
• Telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117
• FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
• Email: washington@mfa.gov.mn
• Website: http://mongolianembassy.us/
• Consulate(s) General: New York, San Francisco

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Geographic Location

Asia

Geographic Coordinates

46 00 N, 105 00 E

Total Area

603,905 Square Miles 1,564,116 Square Kilometers

Land Area

599,828 Square Miles 1,553,556 Square Kilometers

Water Area

4,077 Square Miles 10,560 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

5,108 Miles 8,220 Kilometers

Border Countries

China 4,677 km, Russia 3,485 km

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Terrain

vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest

Gobi Desert in south-central

Highest Point

4,374 Meters

Highest Point Location

Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

Lowest Point

518 Meters

Lowest Point Location

Hoh Nuur 518 m

Natural Resources

oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, phosphate

Irrigated Land

325 Square Miles 843 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Mongolia has two time zones - Ulaanbaatar Time (8 hours in advance of UTC) and Hovd Time (7 hours in advance of UTC)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends last Saturday in September

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Climate

Because of the elevation and distance from any ocean or sea, Mongolia has a harsh continental climate.

Marked seasonal, even daily, changes in temperature, numerous high-pressure systems, and severe cold occur most of the year.

A remarkably sunny country, Mongolia enjoys 250 sunny days a year, often with clear cloudless skies, making even the coldest temperatures more tolerable.

Terrain

vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest

Gobi Desert in south-central

Location

Northern Asia, between China and Russia

Total Area

603,905 Square Miles 1,564,116 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

China 4,677 km, Russia 3,485 km

Environment - Current Issues

• limited natural fresh water resources in some areas
• the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment
• the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar
• deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain
• desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$2,899,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$3,300,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals

Major Imports

machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea

Top Export Partners

China 41.4%, US 31.7%, Russia 9.2%, South Korea 4.2%

Top Import Partners

Russia 34.4%, China 20.1%, South Korea 12.4%, Japan 6.2%, Germany 4.3%, Hong Kong 4.1%

Export Partners

China 41.4%, US 31.7%, Russia 9.2%, South Korea 4.2%

Import Partners

Russia 34.4%, China 20.1%, South Korea 12.4%, Japan 6.2%, Germany 4.3%, Hong Kong 4.1%

Country Description

Mongolia is a vast country of mountains, lakes, deserts, and grasslands.

It is approximately the size of Alaska.

Since 1990, Mongolia has been successfully transitioning into a parliamentary democracy.

Economic reforms continue, although the country’s development will depend on considerable infrastructure investment, particularly in the mining, energy, transportation, and communication sectors.

You should be aware that shortcomings in these areas could affect your travel plans.

Safety & Security

There have been no significant acts of terrorism or extremism in Mongolia, and there are no regions of instability in the country.

However, you are advised to avoid all protests, including political protests and street demonstrations that occur occasionally in Ulaanbaatar, since demonstrations may become violent at any time.

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Crime

• locations: Chinggis Khan International Airport in
• Ulaanbaatar: Organized groups frequently target tourists for robbery and pickpocketing at this airport. The State Department Store and the area around the
• Circus: Organized pickpocket gangs target tourists at the entries/exits/elevators of the store and in surrounding areas, along Peace Avenue, and down to the Circus. Naran Tuul Covered
• Market: Organized criminal groups target foreigners for robbery and pickpocketing. You should also be careful in crowded public areas, such as open-air markets, the Central Post Office, and the Gandan Monastery. In addition, you should be alert for potential criminal activity when you use public transportation or taxis. There have been several reports of foreigners being robbed and/or assaulted while riding in taxis. You may wish to ask your hotel, a restaurant, or store to make taxi arrangements for you. Also, you may wish to request that a native speaker write your destination address in Mongolian, since most cab drivers do not speak English. Private unmarked cars often act as taxis in Mongolia; their availability is high, but their consistency of performance, fare, and safety is low. You should not use unmarked taxis. If you find a cab driver whom you like (English speaker, trustworthy, clean car, etc.), request his mobile phone number for future use. Crime rises sharply before, during, and after the Naadam Summer Festival in July, throughout the summer tourist season, and during and after Tsagaan Sar, the Winter Festival, in January or February. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegged items illegal in the United States, but you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Mongolia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

Criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Mongolia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

If you are arrested in Mongolia, Mongolian authorities are required to notify the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Medical facilities in Mongolia are very limited and do not meet most Western standards, especially for emergency health care.

Many brand-name Western medicines are unavailable.

The majority of medical facilities are located in Ulaanbaatar and are extremely limited or non-existent outside of Ulaanbaatar.

Specialized emergency care for infants and the elderly is not available.

Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate payment in cash for health services.

Sanitation in some restaurants, particularly outside of Ulaanbaatar, is inadequate.

Stomach illnesses are frequent.

You should drink bottled water and use other routine safety measures to protect your health.

Severe air pollution is a serious problem during the winter months, and travelers with breathing or other health problems should plan accordingly.

Infectious diseases, such as plague and meningococcal meningitis, are present at various times of the year.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Mongolia.

For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB .

Local hospitals generally do not contact the Embassy about ill or injured U.S. citizens in their care.

If you need assistance from the Embassy, you should ask the doctor or hospital to contact the U.S.

Embassy in Ulaanbaatar.

See our website for a list of medical facilities in Ulaanbaatar.

Traffic Safety

While in Mongolia, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Mongolia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Driving in Ulaanbaatar can be extremely difficult due to poorly maintained streets, broken traffic lights, poor street lighting, a shortage of traffic signs, and undisciplined pedestrians.

The knowledge and skills of the driving population have not kept pace with the dramatic growth in the number of automobiles on the streets in recent years.

There are few paved roads outside of the capital and no street lights, and driving outside of Ulaanbaatar after dark is unsafe.

For specific information concerning Mongolian drivers permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the

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Airports - total

44

Airports with Paved Runways

15

Heliports

1

Railways

1,186 Miles 1,908 Kilometers

Roadways- total

30,602 Miles 49,249 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

2,983 Miles 4,800 Kilometers

Waterways

360 Miles 580 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

none

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Telephones

188,900

Cell Phones

1,796,000

Internet Users

320,000

Internet Country Code

.mn

Internet Hosts

7,942

Broadcast Media

• following a law passed in 2005, Mongolia's state-run radio and TV provider converted to a public service provider
• also available are private radio and TV broadcasters, as well as multi-channel satellite and cable TV providers
• more than 100 radio stations, including some 20 via repeaters for the public broadcaster
• transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available

Telephone System

• assessment: network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas; a fiber-optic network has been installed that is improving broadband and communication services between major urban centers with multiple companies providing inter-city fiber-optic cable services
• domestic: very low fixed-line teledensity; there are multiple mobile-cellular providers and subscribership is increasing
• international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

3,023,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

240,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

214,100,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

4,500,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

21,610

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

5,680

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

548

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Anthem History

Mongolia's current anthem has been in place since 1950.

In 1961, new words were given to the anthem by the Communist government, but the original words were restored in 1990 upon election of a democratic government.

Words by Tsendiin Damdinsuren Music by Bilegiin Damdinsuren and Luvsanjamts Murjorj 1990- (words)

Anthem Lyrics

Bügd Nairamdakh Mongol Darhan manai huvisgalt uls Dayaar Mongoliin ariun golomt Daisnii huld hezee ch orokhgui Dandaa enkhjij uurd munhjino Hamag delhiin shudarga ulstai Hamtran negdsen egneeg behjuulj Hatan zorig, buhii l chadlaaraa Hairt Mongol ornoo manduulya Zorigt Mongoliin zoltoi arduud Zovlong tonilgoj, jargaliig edlev Jargaliin tulhuur, hugjliin tulguur Javkhlant manai oron mandtugai Hamag delhiin shudarga ulstai Hamtran negdsen egneeg behjuulj Hatan zorig, buhii l chadlaaraa Hairt Mongol ornoo manduulya

Anthem Lyrics English

Our sacred revolutionary country Is the ancestral hearth of all Mongols, No enemy will defeat us, And we will prosper for eternity.

Our country will strengthen relations With all righteous countries of the world.

And let us develop our beloved Mongolia With all our will and might.

The glorious people of the brave Mongolia Have defeated all sufferings, and gained happiness, The key to delight, and the path to progress - Majestic Mongolia - our country, live forever!

Our country will strengthen relations With all righteous countries of the world.

And let us develop our beloved Mongolia With all our will and might.