CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Mongolia

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 1 has been updated (H1N1).

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

BACK TO TOP

2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Mongolia

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Canadians should exercise caution and maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and in all places. Tourist facilities are available in Ulaanbaatar, but limited elsewhere.

Crime against foreigners has increased significantly over the past few months.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

BACK TO TOP

3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Violent crime occurs. Foreigners have been the target of street crime, especially in Ulaanbaatar and other major cities and in tourist areas. Canadians should be aware that there is a significant increase in cases of assaults and robberies in the weeks leading up to major local holidays in Ulaanbaatar. After dark, it is strongly recommended that travellers stick to well lighted busy streets and not walk alone.

There have been numerous incidents of passengers being robbed, sometimes with violence, by taxi drivers or by people waiting for them as they step out of the taxi. Canadian travellers should be aware that the use of regular taxis is not considered to be safe. Canadians are encouraged to use the “Safe Taxi” initiative, which offers services in English in Ulaanbaatar. For more information on the “Safe Taxi” initiative, please contact the Embassy of Canada in Ulaanbaatar (see section 5).

There have been recent reports of harassment of individual travellers at border crossings. Travellers should be particularly cautious in the area surrounding the State Department Store in Ulaanbaatar, where foreigners have been mugged. Beware of pickpockets.

Foreigners have also been robbed by individuals posing as police officers, particularly in the Sukhbaatar Square area. If approached, ask to see police credentials or offer to go to the police station. Exercise caution in crowded areas, including open air markets, the central post office, the Gandan Monastery, and when using public transportation.

Thefts occur frequently on trains between Mongolia and Russia. Travellers are advised to only use licensed taxis equipped with meters, regardless of the distance of their journey. It is also recommended to make arrangements for taxi service through the hotel.

There have been reports of foreign companies receiving threats of violence.


BACK TO TOP

4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Mongolian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Mongolian Embassy and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Mongolia. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry to Mongolia.

Travellers arriving in or departing from Mongolia through China should also be aware of Chinese visa regulations.

Visitors must register with the Office of Immigration, Naturalization, and Foreign Citizens within one week upon arrival if they are staying for more than 30 days.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

---

A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

BACK TO TOP

5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:

Mongolia - ULAANBAATAR, Embassy of Canada
Address: 8 Zovkhis Building, 9th Floor, Seoul Street - 21, Sukhbaatar District, Horoo 1, Ulaanbaatar 210628, Mongolia
Tel.: 976 (11) 328-285
Fax: 976 (11) 328-289
E-Mail: Canada@mongolnet.mn

The Embassy of Canada in Beijing, China, has consular responsibility for Mongolia. The address is as follows:

China - BEIJING, Embassy of Canada
Address: Consular Section, 19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100600, China
Tel.: 86 (10) 5139-4000
Fax: 86 (10) 5139-4435
E-Mail: beijing.consular@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.china.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Beijing, China, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

BACK TO TOP

6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

BACK TO TOP

7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The standard of medical care is low and local facilities are limited. A few hospitals in Ulaanbaatar cater to foreigners, but they suffer from a shortage of safe medicine and reliable medical staff. Travellers should bring basic medical supplies (e.g., antibiotic ointment, bandages, diarrhea medication, laxative, aspirin, and contraceptives), as they may be difficult to find. Bring a supply of antibiotics, bearing in mind that these should be taken only under a doctor's supervision. Tap water is not potable. Bottled water is available in urban areas.

Air pollution is acute, especially in heavily industrialized areas. Travellers with respiratory problems should take this health risk into account. Travellers may also experience some health problems associated with high altitudes. It is recommended that Canadians consult with their physician prior to their departure.Travellers should be aware of the dangers of hypothermia as temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees Celsius in winter.

Travellers suffering from any illness or injury that could be life threatening should depart immediately to Beijing, China, where high-quality medical treatment can be obtained.

BACK TO TOP

8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

BACK TO TOP

9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Trafic drives on the right. Road conditions are poor. Driving can be hazardous, especially in rural areas. Drivers have little regard for traffic regulations and do not follow safe driving practices. Accidents occur frequently. Access to rural areas can be hampered by heavy snowfalls during the winter months.

Domestic flights operated by national airlines do not always meet international aviation safety standards due to a lack of maintenance and safety equipment.

Canadian travellers should be aware that the use of public transportation and taxis is not considered to be safe.

Overland entry, other than by train, must be authorized by the Head of the Consular Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mongmer@magicnet.mn). Requests must be specifically addressed to the Head of the Consular Section.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

---

The currency is the tugrug (MNT). U.S. dollars and credit cards are accepted in hotels and some restaurants, mainly in Ulaanbaatar. U.S. dollar traveller's cheques are accepted at some hotels and can be converted at several banks. Travellers should carry local currency, especially in rural areas.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

BACK TO TOP

10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Mongolia is located in an active seismic zone. You should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Beijing, China in the event of an emergency. There is a short rainy season from mid-July to mid-September. Dust storms occur between May and June.

Mongolia is subject to extreme temperatures (from minus thrity-five in the winter to plus thirty-five Degree Celcius in the summer).

BACK TO TOP

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

BACK TO TOP

12. ANNEX

N/A

BACK TO TOP