Want to know when and how to apply for a Mongolia visa? Here are the procedures and all useful information to complete your administrative formalities. From visa-free tourism to long-stay visas: discover which entry authorization suits you and how to obtain it.

Do you need a visa to travel to Mongolia?

Depending on the duration and purpose of your stay, entry requirements for Mongolia vary. In some cases, a visa is not necessary. In others, it is mandatory and comes with considerable administrative procedures. Discover the three types of visas available for staying in the Land of Blue Sky.

Visa-free (visa exemption)

To revitalize its tourism sector, Mongolia grants a 30-day visa exemption to 34 countries. This measure, valid through the end of 2025, allows eligible travelers (including French, Belgian, and Swiss citizens) to enter the country freely without special formalities before departure, provided the stay does not exceed one month.

Visa extension (up to 30 additional days)

Procedures for visa extension application

Travelers can request a 30-day extension to prolong stays ≤ 30 days. The request must be filed at least five days before the initial period expires. This process resembles a temporary visa application and applies only to tourist stays. It can be completed:

• Online on the Immigration Agency of Mongolia (IAM) website:
  https://immigration.gov.mn/en/visa-extension/ (to be validated afterwards in an IAM office).
• In person at a border post or regional IAM agency.

In both cases, you must provide:

• A copy of your passport,
• An identity photograph,
• A handwritten letter in English stating the reason for the extended stay (tourism), with your accommodation address.

Tourist visa extension is subject to a fee. Costs vary depending on the extension period. Expect approximately €40 (168,800 MNT) for 30 days and €10 (40,000 MNT) for 7 days (the minimum extension duration).

Once validated, the extension is recorded in your passport with the notation "Registered" followed by the new expiration date. Processing is relatively quick (renewal is generally valid the same day or the next day).

In summary, a tourist visa cannot exceed 60 days (30 initial + 30 additional). Beyond that, you must obtain a long-stay visa > 90 days. This can only be issued for business reasons (employment or studies).

Procedures in case of overstay (fine to be paid)

In case of exceeding the authorized stay duration, it is imperative to settle the fine before leaving Mongolia – to avoid complications at the airport.

Fine amount.
Mongolian law imposes a penalty of 10 units per day of overstay – one unit equaling 1,000 MNT (approximately €0.25). The daily fine is therefore 10,000 MNT (€2.50).

For example, a 15-day overstay results in a fine of 150,000 MNT (approximately €38). The cap is set at 2,000 units (approximately €475), which corresponds to 200 days of overstay.

How to pay the fine?
Payment is made by bank deposit at a local bank. In exchange, a receipt noting the offender's details and amount paid is issued. This receipt is crucial as it must subsequently be provided to an IMA office (in two copies). The IMA agent will verify and validate fine payment with a regularization stamp affixed to your passport.

Long-stay visa (> 90 days)

Beyond 60 days, the visa is no longer tourist and can only be issued for three reasons:

• professionals on long-term assignment,
• students (enrolled in a Mongolian institution),
• expatriates relocating to Mongolia to work or study.

In all three cases, a visa is mandatory to travel to Mongolia.

How to obtain a visa for Mongolia? The procedures

Submitting your application

Your Mongolia visa application begins online via the France-visas.gouv.fr website. Next, you must submit your complete file in person at the consular section of the Mongolian Embassy in France, starting from 6 months before your departure date.

No applications are accepted without an appointment. To submit your file, after completing your online application, you must book a slot via the embassy website. All visas issued in France are biometric.

Accordingly, each traveler must be present at the embassy appointment (including children) to provide 10 fingerprints – with their own complete file (printed form, required documents – most recent pay stub, bank statements for the last three months, etc.).

The identity photograph must also be recent (taken within the last 6 months) and comply with ISO/IEC standards:

• Size 35×45 mm,
• Plain background in a light color,
• Minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch,
• Eyes wide open,
• Neutral expression,
• Head straight and ears exposed,
• No glasses or headwear (except for documented religious reasons),
• No jewelry or accessories.

The cost

Application fees are paid during your consular appointment. A visa costs approximately €90 per person. In case of cancellation, note that fees paid cannot be refunded. Allow approximately 21 days to obtain the visa.

Legislation, formalities, and warnings: practical information for traveling to Mongolia

Passport (required document for a Mongolia visa)

• must be valid for at least six months from your Mongolia entry date,
• must have at least two blank facing pages,
• must be in perfect condition (no staples, marks, tears, etc.)

Legislation and warnings

• Foreign nationals must always carry their passport with them (email a copy of your passport to yourself to minimize issues in case of loss),
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited in public spaces,
• Drug possession, consumption, and trafficking are prohibited in Mongolia, including so-called "soft drugs" (warning: zero tolerance),
• Tobacco consumption is also prohibited on all public transportation and in public spaces (including open-air spaces such as gardens and parks).

Vaccinations for Mongolia

There are no specific medical exams required to travel to Mongolia. However, certain vaccinations are highly recommended, such as:

• Routine vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella),
• Typhoid fever (useful in case of contaminated water or food consumption),
• Tick-borne encephalitis (if planning to stay in rural or wooded areas up to 1,500 meters altitude).

Finally, as a precaution, ensure your travel insurance is suited to your program and itinerary – would it cover medical expenses if needed?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of a Mongolia visa?

Through the end of 2025, French citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 30 days in Mongolia – in this case, there are no fees to pay. However, if you wish to extend your initial stay (for 7 to 30 additional days), you must pay a supplement depending on the extension period. Note that a 7-day minimum is required. A long-stay visa (> 90 days) costs €99.

Which type of visa should you choose for Mongolia?

There are three types of visas available to travel to Mongolia. Two tourist visas (the visa-free ≤ 30 days (free and requiring no formalities except registration once there) + the extension visa (up to 30 additional days maximum). The non-tourist visa (> 90 days) for long-term business travel, students (enrolled in a Mongolian institution), and expatriates.

Source: 2025 visa prices https://mn.ambafrance.org/Informations-generales-Visas