Travel to Mongolia 2023

Travel to Mongolia 2023

Travel to Mongolia 2023 –  the government’s new support for the tourism sector in Mongolia

Travel to Mongolia 2023 and in following years will be easier as the country is taking several measures to boost tourism. The tourism sector in Mongolia, as in other countries, had been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new measures, however, are not only meant to help tourism recover from the pandemic. The Government of Mongolia is also placing more importance on developing tourism as a means to diversity an economy that in recent decades was developed with a focus on extractive industry.

With the mining boom about a decade ago, Mongolia’s GDP saw double digit growth for some years. However, as mining exports depend heavily on Mongolia’s big neighbor to the South, it is a risky strategy. When China’s growth slows, so do Mongolia’s exports, with significant impacts on mining companies, related service companies, employment and tax revenues.

To promote tourism and encourage travel to Mongolia in 2023, the Mongolian Government recently has increased the number of countries whose citizens can travel to Mongolia without advance visa application. And MIAT, the Mongolian national airline, has announced an increase in passenger flights, as well as discounted airfares to encourage travel in the off-peak-seasons.

Travel to Mongolia 2023 – new regulations allow 34 more countries visa free arrival

With the decision of the Government of Mongolia to declare 2023-2025 the “Years to visit Mongolia”, the Cabinet made the decision to temporarily exempt nationals of 34 countries from visa requirements when traveling to Mongolia for tourism purposes and for a stay of up to 30 days. The list of countries includes 32 European countries, Australia, and New Zealand.

The European countries are:  Republic of Austria, Kingdom of Belgium, Hungary, Hellenic Republic, Kingdom of Denmark, Kingdom of Spain, Italian Republic, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Principality of Liechtenstein, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Republic of Malta, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of Poland, Portuguese Republic, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Republic of Finland, French Republic, Republic of Croatia, Czech Republic, Kingdom of Sweden, Republic of Estonia, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Iceland, Swiss Confederation, Republic of Bulgaria, Ireland, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Principality of Monaco, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Nationals of the following countries could already previously travel without visa to Mongolia (as tourists and for up to 30 days): Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Germany, HongKong, Isreal, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Macao, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, USA borrow 1000 dollars, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.

For further details, see the list at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an article in Montsame News. For those required to apply for a visa in advance, see the E Visa application option.

Travel to Mongolia 2023 – No COVID-19 related restrictions or requirements

The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also displays a Travel Notice stating that all COVID-19 related restrictions and requirements are lifted since April 11, 2022:

• Passengers are not required to have any “COVID-19” PCR test (Antigen test/Rapid test) to enter Mongolia.
• Passengers are not required to be fully vaccinated.
• Passengers shall fill out Medical declaration form upon arrival at the border checkpoints.
• Any “COVID-19” tests upon arrival are lifted.
• Passengers are not required to go under quarantine or self-isolation regime.

Travel to Mongolia 2023 – more flights to Mongolia

Travel to Mongolia 2023 and beyond is further eased by an increased number of flights offered by the national carrier MIAT as reported by the online news site GoGo Mongolia. Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mongolian Tourism Association, MIAT announced that they plan to increase capacity by approx. 20 % in 2023, selling more seats by adding more flights.

MIAT is also planning to add new aircraft to their fleet and operate direct flight to the US in the near future. Besides regular flights to Seoul, MIAT is planning more weekly flights – six flights to Frankfurt, four to Istanbul and eleven to Beijing.

Other airlines flying into Ulaanbaatar include Korean Air, Air China, Turkish Airlines, and Aeroflot.

Travel to Mongolia 2023 – discounts on airfares

MIAT also announced plans to provide discounted airfares for group travelers, for travelers visiting to take part in special events, and for off season/winter tourism.

Travel to Mongolia 2023 – New Chinggis Khaan International Airport operational

Last not least, it should be mentioned that Mongolia’s new airport, Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN) managed by a Mongolia-Japan joint venture company, opened in July 2021, providing more capacity as well as better conditions for aircraft to operate during all seasons in Mongolia.