Published: January 17, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Mongolia Travel Advisory and Mongolia Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Denver St. #3, 11th Micro-District, Ulaanbaatar 14190
Tel: +976-7007-6001
Hours: Monday-Friday 0800-1630
OSAC Country Chapters
The Regional Security Office has established an OSAC Country Chapter in Ulaanbaatar. Any interested members of the U.S. private sector should contact the RSO or OSAC’s Asia team for more information.
Mongolia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Mongolia.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Ulaanbaatar as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mongolia.
The crime emergency line in Mongolia is 102.
While Mongolia generally experiences low rates of crime, rates do fluctuate. According to the National Statistics Office, total overall recorded crimes in 2024 increased to 44,673 crimes over 35,574 in 2023, a 25% increase. It should be noted traffic violations are included with 3,158 registered, and the majority of crimes committed are listed as fraud with 15,889, while the lower end is murder at 191 countrywide. Complete statistics can be found at this link. Street crime and violent crime have seen an increase, particularly in larger cities and towns. Crime usually peaks during the Naadam summer festival in July, as well as during the Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) festival in January or February. Most street crime typically occurs late at night, and often outside nightclubs and bars.
Pickpocketing can occur at any time, especially in crowded places like markets, train stations, and popular tourist attractions. You should take precautions to protect your personal effects when in public. The Embassy has also received reports of visitors’ accommodations being burgled while occupied. These burglaries most often occurred when travelers were staying in yurt (known in Mongolia as ger) camps where locking the door to the accommodation may not be possible.
The most seen form of robbery experienced by visitors to Mongolia is mugging. You are most likely to be mugged if you are alone in unfamiliar urban neighborhoods after dark, or in unregistered private vehicles operating as taxis. Stick to well-lit and well-established tourist areas and use registered taxis whenever possible.
Though infrequent, the Embassy does receive reports of sexual assaults perpetrated against travelers. These reports indicate that perpetrators are most often familiar with the victim in some way such as tour guides or employees of locations frequented by tourists, like ger camps and monasteries. If you are a victim of sexual assault, contact the Mongolian police immediately and seek assistance from the Embassy by calling +976 7007-6001. Female travelers are encouraged to avoid traveling alone in Mongolia and all travelers should research and hire only reputable tour agencies with established safety and security records, especially when visiting remote areas far from the capital.
The police will instruct victims of sexual assault to obtain an examination at the criminal forensic institute, which is in Ulaanbaatar city or in provincial centers. A medical check from any other clinic/hospital will not be admitted into evidence at any judicial proceeding. The Embassy can assist in helping you locate these centers.
The most common targets of street harassment are unaccompanied women and foreign men accompanying Mongolian or other Asian women. Street harassment may range from verbal abuse to physical assault. Though rare, certain nationalist groups also perpetrate premeditated attacks against foreigners. Most street harassment occurs in or near bars and nightclubs, and alcohol is often involved. Travelers should avoid walking alone after dark, avoid using unregistered taxi cabs, and moderate their use of alcohol in order to avoid becoming an easy target for harassment in public.
Physical assaults against foreigners in Ulaanbaatar occur and, when not random, include anti-foreigner motivations. Most assaults occur during the evening hours and involve intoxicated or emotionally disturbed persons.
There is a small nationalist portion of Mongolia’s criminal element, which may target foreign nationals. Foreigners have reported unprovoked physical assaults, which occurred without warning. Foreign males are most at risk from such attacks or threats during the late evening hours at nightclubs and bars (even at some of Ulaanbaatar’s more upscale establishments), especially if they are in the company of Mongolian women.
While Mongolian law includes a definition of sexual harassment for civil/labor issues, there is no criminal code provision covering the activity. Mongolia adopted a law on combating domestic violence in 2016.
Most local businesses accept international credit cards, though they may occasionally reject them, especially when they lack embedded chips. Credit cards issued by Mongolian banks are in wide acceptance, especially in Ulaanbaatar. Credit card use outside the capital is less common. Credit card fraud and other internet-based crimes are an increasing trend. Keep your credit card issuing bank’s contact information readily available, and closely monitor accounts during and after travel to Mongolia for fraudulent activity.
ATMs are rapidly becoming common at Ulaanbaatar hotels, major banks, restaurants, and supermarkets. There have been reports of ATM card fraud involving scanning devices attached to the front of ATMs, and of employees at restaurants and bars using skimmers to duplicate magnetic strip information.
Hotels and banks provide official currency exchange; exchanging relatively small amounts of U.S. dollars and other major foreign currencies in Ulaanbaatar is generally easy. The Mongolian tugrik (MNT) is not easily exchangeable outside Mongolia.
Street crime, primarily pickpocketing, remains common in Mongolia, and in Ulaanbaatar in particular, with victims seemingly targeted at random. Locations that attract thieves include the Narantuul covered market (commonly known as the “Black Market”); the State Department Store (a name derived from Mongolia’s socialist past); the Saruul food market shopping center; the Seoul Street restaurant/bar district; the section of Baga Toiruu (Little Ring Road) between the Urgoo Cinema and Ulaanbaatar Hotel; and crowded sporting events.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mongolia.
Police report that known organized crime groups are specifically involved with human trafficking, (prostitution and labor) and drug trafficking. While much of the activity originates from China and Russia, there is an increasing market for such vice in and around Mongolian industries.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Ulaanbaatar as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mongolia.
There have been no reports of terrorist attacks or indigenous terrorist groups operating in Mongolia. Authorities are cognizant that porous national borders might allow transnational terrorists entry. Authorities closely monitor visitors from countries that are host to transnational terrorists.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Ulaanbaatar as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mongolia. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The political situation in Mongolia is generally stable, with free and fair elections.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations are common in many parts of Mongolia but are most prominent in the capital Ulaanbaatar. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can become confrontational and escalate into violence. Protesters may block traffic on roads, including major thoroughfares. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstration areas and exercise caution if near any protests. Some demonstrations by Mongolian ultra-nationalists take a xenophobic turn and may place foreigners at heightened risk should they encounter these events. U.S. citizens should avoid participating in demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by Mongolian authorities. Foreigners can be deported if they participate in a protest.
Most notable civil unrest leading to property damage and arrests occurred in 2008 and more recently in December 2022 during an anti-corruption protest where protestors stormed the government house and burned down holiday displays.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Generally, there are no specific anti-U.S./western sentiments widely held in Mongolia.
Law Enforcement
The National Police Agency and the General Authority for Border Protection, which operate under the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, are primarily responsible for internal security. The General Intelligence Agency, whose director reports to the prime minister, assists these two agencies with internal security and counter terrorism duties. The armed forces report to the Ministry of Defense and assist internal security forces in providing domestic emergency assistance and disaster relief. Civilian authorities maintain control over the security forces.
Police Response
The National Police Agency (NPA) continues to improve the emergency response system in Ulaanbaatar and has the ability in most instances to pinpoint the location of emergency calls, including those from a cell phone. However, the police do not have English speakers on duty. Ulaanbaatar does not have a dedicated tourist police unit or a centralized incident reporting system but relies on the Foreign Relations Division of the NPA as the focal point for foreign nationals who needs police assistance.
Mongolia has subjected foreign citizens to exit bans for a variety of reasons, including pending civil disputes, pending criminal investigations, or immigration violations. Once an exit ban comes into force, it stays valid until the dispute resolves administratively, a court renders a decision, or the entity that requested the ban asks for it to end. Foreigners subjected to a criminal investigation or complaint may face detention or be unable to leave the country while legal proceedings are pending, even for petty crimes. Strongly consider retaining legal counsel for even minor offenses, as the Mongolian legal system is complicated and difficult for non-citizens to navigate. Foreigners may have to retain and pay for the services of registered translators when they are victims of reported crimes or accused of crimes.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Mongolia, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mongolia.
Corruption at all levels of government remains widespread. The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government sometimes implemented the law effectively. There were numerous reports of government corruption.
Cybersecurity
Cyber security can be an issue in Mongolia with businesses being targeted by phishing and email schemes. Non-state cyber actors, including criminals and hacktivists, actively target Mongolia. It should be noted that Mongolia is reliant on both Russia and China for its internet capabilities. The use of social media for scams is commonplace and visitors should take vigilance when sharing social media information.
Import/Export Restrictions
Mongolian customs authorities strictly enforce laws regulating the import and export of firearms, ammunition, precious metals, antiquities and drugs. Importation of firearms or ammunition requires prior government approval. All precious metals should be declared on arrival. Exporting antiquities requires a special customs clearance certificate issued by an authorized antique dealer at the time of purchase. Importing medicines is not allowed. Medicines for personal use must have doctor’s prescription. Vitamins are limited only for personal use. Quantity of more than 2 packages will result in taxation.
There are no restrictions on the import of satellite phones.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
