Useful information for visitors to Mongolia

Ettiquette

A handshake usually accompanies a first introduction in a business setting and is used both as a greeting and farewell. Although people in urban centres are less strict about local customs when greeting, it is customary and seen as a sign of respect to offer things (a business card, pen, etc.) with your left hand under your right elbow. Mongolians tend to respect foreigners who know such customs more highly.

Dress

Most business meetings are conducted in standard Western business attire. Outside of a business environment, and given the extremely cold weather, it is advisable to pack warm clothes. You will find high-quality cashmere clothes in many stores around Ulaanbaatar. Camel-wool socks, easily found anywhere in the city, help a great deal. The warmer weather runs from around May to September. If travelling in summer, make sure to bring wet weather gear as well.

Business Hours

Government offices are usually open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Lunch can run anytime between 12.00pm and 2.00pm, during which time it may be difficult to find government officials in their offices. Many banks stay open until 7.00pm in Ulaanbaatar, and some even offer 24-hour banking. Most private and state-run businesses are open from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Currency

The Mongolian unit of currency is the tugrik, written as MNT. ATMs accept international Visa and MasterCard bank cards, allowing you to withdraw up to MNT400,000 ($240) a day. There may be a 3% fee on credit card transactions.

Transport

Given the high volume of used Korean and Japanese cars finding a second life in Mongolia, vehicle steering wheels may be on either the right or the left. First-time visitors are advised to take a taxi or hire a driver. The standard city taxi rate is about MNT1000 ($0.60) per km, and a taxi ride to or from the airport should cost about MNT20,000-25,000 ($ 12-15). Air connections, as of January 2015, are limited to five major airlines: Turkish Airlines, Air China, Aeroflot, Korean Airlines and Mongolia’s national carrier, MIAT.

Health

Quality health care is available only in Ulaanbaatar, and health services in rural areas are quite poor. For expatriates, there are two facilities that meet Western standards, SOS Medica and the recently opened United Family Intermed Hospital. Songdo, a Korean hospital staffed by both Korean and Mongolian doctors, also offers good service. It is not advisable to drink tap water anywhere in Mongolia; visitors should consume boiled or bottled water.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Mongolia, but service providers are grateful for tips from foreigners.

Language

The national language is Mongolian, which is widely used in business, government affairs, education and daily conversation. However, many businesspeople and state officials also speak English. Russian is also occasionally used, mostly by older generations.

Visa

Mongolia recently undertook a major overhaul of its visa regulations, allowing the citizens of more than 40 nations to stay in the country for up to 30 days for tourist and business purposes without needing to apply for a visa. The countries included are those in the EU, most European countries outside the EU (including Russia and Turkey), a handful of countries in Latin America and a number of others including Canada and Japan. Citizens of the US can stay up to 90 days visafree so long as they register with the immigration authorities within seven days of arrival (stays for 30 days or less do not require registration). Longer stays outside these parameters require a separate visa that can be obtained from any Mongolian embassy.

As the regulations are still being finalised following the recent changes, contacting the nearest Mongolian embassy for the most up-to-date information on specific fees and visa types is recommended. For business travellers staying six months or more, an invitation from a host company or institution is required. All visitors staying longer than 30 days must also register with the Mongolia Immigration Agency.

Electricity

The electrical outlets throughout the country are 220V, 50-Hz, European-style two-pin plugs.