What do we know about Mongolia? Most likely nothing. This country could be called a ghost, because all we know about it is that it is a steppe region. This large state is greatly underestimated. Yes, Mongolia does not take a special part in the political games of strong powers. It preserved the traditions of antiquity, the spirit of the Soviet Union and striking national features. Everyone who wants to look at this country may need a visa to Mongolia. However, is it needed for the Russians?
Fraternal peoples
If you look closely at the political map of the world, you will find that Mongolia is a great neighbor of the Russian Federation. One way or another, Russia affects the Mongolian state. This happens in all areas, and especially in tourism. More and more Russians are coming to Mongolia, wanting to learn more about the world. Someone travels exclusively for sightseeing, some just travel in transit along the road to China. Pilgrims act as a separate group, because there are also quite a lot of them. Until 2014, Russians were required to draw up a document called a visa. He gave the right to legally stay in the country for a certain time.
Today, the Russians do not need a visa to Mongolia. Close political cooperation between the countries led to the establishment of a mutual visa-free regime. Nevertheless, this does not mean at all that the need for a visa has disappeared. Citizens of other former republics of the USSR may also be required to go through the document processing procedure.
What does a visa look like?
First of all, this is a document. It has the appearance of a large brand, which is pasted into a foreign passport. Most often, it provides a place for leaving customs stamps. Thus, officers mark the date and time of entry and exit from the country.
Types of Visas in Mongolia
Each sovereign state develops several varieties of documents of this kind. This is necessary to simplify the work of immigration authorities. The following types of visas are available in Mongolia:
- Working. Often it is officially called "business." The purpose is obvious from the name. Required for commercial activities in the country.
- Tourist. Required for all who do not have the right to visa-free travel. In some cases, issued to the Russians.
- Work visa number 2. A special kind of document intended for foreign highly qualified specialists working in large enterprises in Mongolia.
- Pilgrimage. Mongolia is one of the few states in which a religious visa exists.
- Private visa A document that is received by persons visiting the country just like that. It is not work or tourist.
- Humanitarian visa. A very rare kind of document. Typical of third world countries. Despite the fact that it is used extremely rarely, it still exists in Mongolia.
- Transit visa. Gives the right to drive through the country. Mandatory for people who do not have visa-free opportunities. It is especially widely applied to foreigners traveling by rail from Russia to China.
What is needed?
To apply for a visa to Mongolia, you do not need to go through atypical procedures or have any special documents. For registration you will need to provide:
- Statement. This form of bureaucracy is familiar to everyone. You must first download the form from the site, and then carefully fill it out. It is advisable to do this in block letters. Can I fill it out online? No, at the moment this will not work.
- International passport. It is required for any trips, but in this case, its validity period should have a margin of half a year from the expiration date of the visa.
- A photograph. There are no special requirements. Ordinary photo on documents. However, doing it yourself is not recommended. It is advisable to use the services of a photo studio.
- Proof of material security. As such, a certificate of income for 6 months of work is suitable.
- Visa to another country. This requirement is relevant for those who visit Mongolia in transit. It is necessary to demonstrate the presence of a visa of the state in which the tourist needs to get.
That’s all the documents. The list is small, and collecting everything that is needed will not take much time. Entry into Mongolia also does not require biometric data.
How long does it take to wait?
The average production time of a Mongolian visa is about 5 working days. Please note that the decision to issue a visa is made another day. Total about 6 days of waiting. Can they refuse a visa? Formally, this is possible, but this almost never happens.
Should a Russian travel to China?
A visa to Mongolia is not needed for Russians. However, this does not mean that it cannot be done. The issuance of the document, as well as the design, will not be refused by law. However, if a Russian goes to China by commercial transport, it is advisable to take care of a transit visa. Police may also ask for a Chinese visa in order to verify the traveler’s intentions.
What about the CIS?
Do you need a visa to Mongolia for citizens of the CIS? Member states are on good terms with this country. For them, as well as for Russians, a comfortable visa-free regime has been established, but at the same time a visa may be required in case of commercial activities. For citizens of Ukraine, a visa is required. Despite the abolition of the visa-free regime, Ukrainians are treated kindly and are always happy to welcome in the country.
Tourism
Tours to Mongolia always leave their mark on the soul. The fact is that this is an extremely unusual and largely unusual trip. Mongolia can be said to be cut off from a developed civilization. Most of the country is experiencing significant problems with the benefits of civilization. There are even whole urban-type villages that do not have street lighting. To visit this country, foreigners will need to apply for a visa. There are two ways:
- Do it yourself through consulates and embassies.
- Conclude a tourist agreement.
In the first case, all the risks fall on the traveler himself. However, choosing the second method, you can not worry about anything. Travel company is obliged to take care of all legal issues. Registration of such a visa does not take much time. Moreover, this is the easiest, but not the cheapest option. Today, tours to Mongolia are available to everyone. It is inexpensive, unusual and interesting. It is not difficult to apply for a visa. It can be said that this is a great opportunity to improve your own visa history.
Money
In any trip, the financial side is crucial. A lot depends on what currency is in the country. Many believe that exchanging their own currency for the Mongolian will be more profitable in their country. However, it is not. The national currency of Mongolia is Tugrik. Today it is a rather weak currency, inferior to the hryvnia and the ruble. Given this, exchanging money in one's own country can be unprofitable. In Mongolia, dollars and euros are valued much more. The local population prefers to keep their cash savings in a more stable currency. That is why it is preferable to exchange money already in Mongolia at a more favorable rate.
Going on the road
Everyone knows that the journey begins with fees. What do you need to travel to Mongolia? In this case, there are no special requirements. Many experienced travelers strongly recommend taking pocket power supplies with you. Carrying a lot of expensive equipment is undesirable. The criminal situation in the country is not the most favorable, and this should be taken into account.
Traveling with a travel agency is safer. Indeed, in this case, the traveler lives in a well-guarded hotel, and all his property is insured, and theft is an insured event. Even if something happens, losses will be reimbursed.
It will not be superfluous to take along with the currency of Mongolia dollars, euros and rubles. This may seem strange, but in large shopping centers and shops you can pay with foreign currency. In addition, it is simply more convenient, because, given inflation, you have to carry whole piles of tugriks with you.