Mongolia
MNGMongolia is a vast, sparsely populated landlocked nation wedged between Russia and China in the heart of Central and East Asia. Ulaanbaatar, home to nearly half the population, is the political, cultural, and economic hub. The economy is heavily reliant on mining — particularly coal, copper, and gold — alongside traditional nomadic livestock herding that still defines rural life across the steppe and Gobi Desert.
Mongolia transitioned to democracy in 1990 and maintains a parliamentary system. Dual citizenship is not permitted. Long-term residency for foreigners is possible through employment or investment, but pathways are limited. Personal income tax is a flat 10%, and the tax system is residence-based. Rapid urbanisation and a growing middle class are reshaping Ulaanbaatar, though air pollution in winter remains a serious public health concern.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- MNT
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Ulaanbaatar
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 3,398,366
- Cost-of-living
- 35 /100
Passport Rank
#64
Visa-Free
62
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Mongolia passport has visa-free access to 62 destinations. See the full Mongolia passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Mongolia without a prior visa (66)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Mongolia
Current IRCC processing times for Mongolia nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 19 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 3 weeks |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Ulaanbaatar
- Currency
- MNT
- Languages
- Mongolian
- Population
- 3,398,366
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Semi-arid continental; harsh winters with temperatures frequently below -20°C, short warm summers; Ulaanbaatar is the world's coldest capital city
- GDP per capita
- $7,108
- Life expectancy
- 72.4 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.25%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
35
Safety
62
Healthcare
38
Quality of Life
95
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulaanbaatar | — | — | — | — | $15 |
| Erdenet | — | — | — | — | $8 |
| Darkhan | — | — | — | — | $7 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Ulaanbaatar
Rainfall range: 3–75 mm/month · Daylight 8.3h (winter) to 15.7h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist
- Business
- Work
- Investor
- Student
- Family
- Religious
- Authority
- General Authority for Border Protection / Immigration
- Official Portal
- www.immigration.gov.mn
- Phone
- +976-1800-1882
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- Language Test
- Yes (level n/a)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- No
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $50
- Processing
- ~24 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#105
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Taxi overcharging and meter fraud, especially from Chinggis Khaan International Airport
- ⚠Fake cashmere goods sold at tourist prices in Narantuul (Black) Market
- ⚠Distraction theft and pickpocketing in crowded Sukhbaatar Square and State Department Store area
- ⚠Nightclub drink spiking and robbery in Ulaanbaatar entertainment districts
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Mongolia, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Mongolian Bar Association
MBAProfessional body of lawyers in Mongolia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed lawyers.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Mongolia, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Permanent Residence
ResidenceFor you if you have built up several years of residence in Mongolia and want to settle for good: permanent residence confirms a long-term right to live there - but please read the honesty note, because it does not lead to citizenship.
Work (sponsored)
Work Permit and Residence (HG employment)
Work (sponsored)For you if a Mongolian employer has offered you a job: this is the standard employment route, where you work under an HG-type permission and hold a residence permit that runs for the same duration as your work permit.
Family
Private and Family Residence (H-series)
FamilyFor you if you have close family in Mongolia or are joining a relative there: this route gives you a residence permit on private or family grounds, supported by an invitation and proof of your relationship.
Study
Student Residence (foreign students)
StudyFor you if you have a place to study in Mongolia: this route lets you live in the country for the length of your course, on a residence permit linked to your enrolment at a recognised institution.
Investor
Investor Residence (foreign-invested company)
InvestorFor you if you are a foreign investor in, or a senior representative of, a foreign-invested company in Mongolia: this route gives you a residence permit on the basis of that investment or role, rather than a local employment contract.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified