Ways to live in Mongolia
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Employment residence permit (category C)
For foreigners hired by a Mongolian employer. The employer gets a work permit from the labour and welfare authority, then the worker enters on an employment visa and registers for residence.
- What you need
- Employer's request letter, work permit from the labour and welfare authority, passport valid for 180 days, local address registration and a medical check. Subcategories C1–C11 are split by sector (construction, IT and education, mining, finance, health and others). Apply within 21 days of arrival; fingerprints and photo are taken in person the first time.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 135,000 MNT (5 working days) or 255,000 MNT (3 working days), plus a residence card of about $7
- Processing time
- 5 working days, or 3 with fast-track
- How to apply
- Through the employer with the Immigration Agency of Mongolia, in person or via eimmigration.mn
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Can be extended while the job and the work permit continue.
Student visa Student visas →
Study residence permit (category E)
For students at Mongolian universities, colleges and language or vocational schools, and for interns and researchers.
- What you need
- Request letter from the school stating the course and length of stay, study contract, proof of paid tuition, passport valid for 180 days, local address registration and a medical check. Apply within 21 days of arrival.
- How long
- Up to 1 year at a time
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- 45,000 MNT (5 working days) or 75,000 MNT (3 working days), plus a residence card of about $7
- Processing time
- 5 working days, or 3 with fast-track
- How to apply
- Through the school with the Immigration Agency of Mongolia
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Investor residence permit (category B1)
For investors and shareholders of companies with foreign investment registered in Mongolia. Related categories cover company executives and representatives (B2, B3) and family members.
- What you need
- Request letter from the company stating the type of investment, company registration certificate, a statement from the National Development Agency, tax and social insurance records, passport valid for 180 days and local address registration.
- How long
- Extensions up to 3 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Extension: 82,000 MNT (5 working days) or 154,000 MNT (3 working days), card included
- Processing time
- 5 working days, or 3 with fast-track
- How to apply
- Through the company with the Immigration Agency of Mongolia, in person or via eimmigration.mn
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $200 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $450 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $700 |
| Bills | $80 |
| Typical local salary | $550 |
Some of these figures are estimates; treat them as a rough guide.
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Mongolia is for those drawn to wide open space: horse riding, Gobi trips and ger camps under clear stars. Ulaanbaatar holds nearly all expat life, with growing cafes, a music scene and the Naadam festival in summer.
Day to day
Domestic flights and long drives on rough roads link regions. Healthcare is limited, so serious cases go abroad. Cards work in the capital, cash beyond. Mongolian is essential outside Ulaanbaatar; some older people speak Russian.
Trade-offs
Winters are extremely cold, and Ulaanbaatar's air pollution is severe in that season. Traffic in the capital is gridlocked. Daily life outside the city is remote and services are sparse.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom30 days
Australia30 days
Canada30 days
New Zealand30 days
Switzerland30 days
Norway30 days
Singapore30 days
Japan30 days
South Korea90 days
Israel30 days
United Arab Emirates30 days
Hong Kong14 days
South Africae-Visa · 30 d
Mexicoe-Visa · 30 d
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Mongolia have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Mongolia?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa.
Sources and last check
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
