Security Status
- Normal precautions
- High degree of caution
- Avoid non-essential travel
- Do not travel
- Overview
- Safety and Security
- Local Laws and Customs
- Natural Disasters and Climate
- Additional Information
- Embassy Contact
Overview
Overview
Overview
Security Status
Normal Precautions
Travel to Mongolia
There are no COVID-19 restrictions in place for travel to Mongolia from Ireland. There is no requirement to present certificates of vaccination/testing for COVID-19.
General Travel Advice
As there is no Irish Embassy or Consulate in Mongolia, we're limited in the help we can offer in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Beijing at +86 10 85316200 or email beijing@dfa.ie. The Embassy is open and operating normal working hours and will respond to your query as soon as possible.
We suggest you learn as much as you can about Mongolia before your trip from travel agents, tour operators and guide books. The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems when you're in Mongolia, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.
You can contact the Mongolian emergency services by dialling the following numbers:
- Firefighting and rescue services: 101
- Police: 102
- Medical emergencies: 103
Safety and Security
Safety and Security
Safety and security
Crime
Violent crime does take place in Mongolia, even in daylight and on busy streets. Foreigners are the target of street crime, especially in Ulaanbaatar and other major cities and in tourist areas. Always take sensible precautions:
- Don't carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place.
- You are legally required to carry your passport at all times when travelling in Mongolia and, if living in Mongolia, your residency card. We also recommend that you leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home, and that you keep photos of the personal identification and Mongolian visa pages of your passport on your phone.
- Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don't use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
- Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafes, train and bus stations.
- Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
- Ensure that you use licensed taxis at all times.
Driving
Be extremely careful if driving in Mongolia. The standard of driving and vehicle maintenance is poor, with heavy congestion in Ulaanbaatar and there are a lot of traffic accidents. There are few all-weather roads, especially outside Ulaanbaatar.
An international driving permit is required if you wish to drive to Mongolia. If you plan to drive, you should bring both your full Irish driver's licence and your international driving permit and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance.
Local travel
The underdeveloped infrastructure in Mongolia may cause problems so be well prepared, bring supplies and make contingency plans if you're travelling outside of the capital. Be aware that much of Mongolia is sparsely populated and if you run into difficulty you may be a considerable distance from the nearest settlement. Consider bringing a satellite phone as mobile networks and GPS do not always function adequately in remote areas.
Hiring a vehicle
If you're hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you're allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.
Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).
Local Laws and Customs
Local Laws and Customs
Local laws and customs
Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal. Taking photos of the police, the army or soldiers or related infrastructure is prohibited and is considered a criminal offence.
Passport
You must have a valid passport to enter Mongolia, with a validity date at least six months beyond the end of your intended period of stay. It's also advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you, and to store a photo of the personal identification and Mongolian visa pages of your passport on your phone.
You are legally required to carry your passport at all times when travelling in Mongolia and, if living in Mongolia, your residency card.
Dual nationality
Mongolia doesn't recognise dual nationality and this may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Irish/Mongolian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.
Illegal drugs
Illegal drug use (no matter what type or quantity of the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.
Natural Disasters and Climate
Natural Disasters and Climate
Natural disasters and climate
In the event of a natural disaster, we recommend that you follow the advice of local authorities. Monitor media reports for the latest information.
Climate
Mongolia is subject to extreme temperatures from -35°C in the winter to +35°C in the summer.
Earthquake
Mongolia is located in an active seismic zone. Most earthquakes are centred in the mountainous west of the country and there is a high risk in the capital Ulaanbaatar. If you're travelling to or living in Mongolia, make sure you note down the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing, China, for use in the event of an emergency. Download our Travelwise App and set an alert for Mongolia to receive notifications of any updates to our travel advice.
Flooding
There is a short rainy season from mid-July to mid-September.
Dust storms
Dust storms occur between May and June.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Additional information
Entry requirements (visa/passport)
If you're unsure of the entry requirements for Mongolia, including visa and other immigration information, ask your travel agent or contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mongolia. Up-to-date details on visa requirements can also be found at on the website of the Embassy of Mongolia in London.
All border crossings to and from Russia are closed to foreign travellers. The border between China and Mongolia is closed indefinitely except for freight traffic.
E-Visa
Irish citizens are now eligible to apply for a Mongolian e-Visa through the website https://evisa.mn/main
Irish citizens travelling to Mongolia for up to 30 days can apply for three categories of visa:
- Tourism visa
- Sports and culture visa, for anyone participating in sporting or cultural/arts events as well as filming content
- Transit visa (for transit up to 10 days)
Registration
If you intend to stay in Mongolia for more than 30 days or if you don't have an entry/exit visa, you must register your stay with the Mongolian Immigration Agency in Ulaanbaatar within 7 business days of arriving in Mongolia. For more information, please visit the website of the Mongolia Immigration Agency.
Exit visa
If you've been in Mongolia for more than 90 days, you must get an exit visa to leave the country. You can apply through the Mongolian Immigration Agency office. Please allow at least 10 days to process your exit visa.
Health
Check with your doctor well in advance of travelling to see if they recommend any vaccinations for Mongolia.
Medical facilities
Medical facilities in Mongolia are very limited and don't meet most Western standards, especially for emergency healthcare requirements. Make sure that you have comprehensive medical insurance to pay for private healthcare and bring basic medical supplies, including any regular prescription drugs, with you.
Water
Sanitation in some restaurants is inadequate, particularly outside of Ulaanbaatar. Drink bottled water and use other routine safety measures to protect your health.
Air pollution
Air pollution is a serious problem during the winter months so if you have breathing or other health problems, you should plan accordingly.
Embassy contact
Embassy Contact
After business hours, Irish Citizens seeking emergency consular assistance should contact the main Embassy number, 01085316200, and leave a message with your name, contact number and details of the emergency on the Duty Officer voice mailbox. This mailbox will be monitored regularly.
Alternatively, you may contact the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin at +353-1-408-2000.
Embassy of Ireland
3 Ritan Dong Lu
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100600
People's Republic of China
Tel: +86 10 8531 6200
Fax: +86 10 6532 6857
Monday to Friday 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-17.00