Published: January 26, 2026
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Mongolia Travel Advisory and Mongolia International Travel 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 Chapter(s)
The Regional Security Office has established an OSAC Country Chapter in Ulaanbaatar.
Contact OSAC’s Asia Team with any questions.
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.
Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
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. Review the U.S. Department of State’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Crime: General Threat
While Mongolia generally experiences low rates of crime, rates do fluctuate. According to the National Statistics Office, total overall recorded crimes in 2025 increased to 47,480 crimes over 44,673 in 2024, a 6.3% increase. It should be noted that traffic violations are included with 4,532 registered, and most crimes committed are listed as fraud with 16,906, while the lower end is murder at 186 countrywide. Complete statistics can be found at https://police.gov.mn/a/7781. 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’ accommodation 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 common 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 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 people.
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. Review OSAC’s report, Taking Credit.
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. Review OSAC’s report, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud.
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.
Crime: Areas of Concern
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.
Review OSAC’s reports: All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mongolia.
Review OSAC’s reports: Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
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 a large anti-corruption demonstration took place in Sukhbaatar square, with protesters storming the government house and burning down holiday displays.
Protests, primarily led by young Mongolians, began on May 14, 2025, following reports of extravagant spending by Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene’s son. The protests focused on corruption in the government, inequality, and political elite influence. Protests continued for two weeks, before Oyun-Erdene resigned following a loss of confidence vote.
Following Oyun-Erdene’s resignation, Gombojavyn Zandanshatar was elected prime minister on June 3, 2025. Prime Minister Zandanshatar was dismissed as prime minister following internal party conflict, but his removal was later vetoed by the president citing procedural errors.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
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.
Detained or arrested U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible. Most police officers are unaware of a foreign national’s right to request consular assistance after an arrest, which may require the detainee to request multiple times to speak to a consular official. The Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking lawyers. U.S. Citizens with emergencies, can call 976-7007-6001.
The emergency line in Mongolia is 102. Report crimes to the police district responsible for the area in which the crime occurred. If local reporting is not possible, report the crime in Ulaanbaatar or the closest city. Before reporting a crime, you may wish to consult an attorney, as travelers have reported police occasionally question victims in an aggressive manner.
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 need 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.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
Due to extreme weather, the absence of paved roads in much of rural Mongolia, and the prevalence of livestock on rural roads, avoid travel outside of Ulaanbaatar or other city centers after dark; driving at night is extremely dangerous outside of Ulaanbaatar due to poor road conditions, reduced visibility, drunk drivers, harsh winter weather, and limited emergency response services.
Outside of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia has few paved roads and even fewer streetlights. Most roads have only two lanes and no shoulders and most sealed roads need resurfacing. Trucks commonly carry overloaded cargo. Livestock crossing roads, even high traffic ones, is common. Pedestrians also cross all types of roads at undesignated locations. Passing is difficult and dangerous due to the narrow, highly trafficked nature of the roads.
Mongolian motorists are sometimes aggressive, commonly cutting each other off, performing illegal turns, driving through red lights, and/or suddenly stopping in the middle of the road. Moreover, driving while intoxicated is common. Although Mongolia is a right-hand traffic country, more than half of all vehicles have the steering wheel on the right-hand side. Most motorcycle and moped drivers have limited experience sharing the road. Motorists rarely respect pedestrian right-of-way, even in crosswalks.
Many local drivers and passengers do not wear seatbelts or use child safety seats, increasing injuries and fatalities from vehicular accidents. There is limited proactive enforcement of traffic laws, and drivers often disregard many safe driving practices. This haphazard style of urban driving leads to very frequent, but typically minor, vehicle accidents within Ulaanbaatar. Drivers in the countryside should exercise caution, as the decrease in traffic congestion leads to faster speeds and more dangerous accidents.
To help reduce traffic and air pollution, police actively restrict certain license plate numbers from driving into downtown Ulaanbaatar on certain days of the week, usually alternating odd/even numbers.
Despite a zero-tolerance law, driving while intoxicated is common and drunk drivers are a serious threat, with alcohol-related accidents sharply increasing during holiday periods, especially during end-of-year celebrations. Mongolian police take driving under the influence very seriously and enforcement is vigorous in urban areas. Penalties for driving under the influence in Mongolia include a one-year suspension of driving privileges and a 400,000 MNT fine, roughly 140 USD as of September 2020. Travelers should exercise the same precautions as they would in the United States, use of a designated driver or a taxi, to avoid operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Driving off-road in Mongolia can be dangerous, especially without a knowledgeable Mongolian guide. Those contemplating off-road driving in Mongolia should bring standard vehicle maintenance equipment, a good GPS unit, and a reliable satellite phone. Exercise caution when driving off-road during winter. Mongolia’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) regularly assists stuck vehicles. However, off-road rescue can take days given the remoteness and rough terrain, and few NEMA rescue crews speak English. Foreign motorists may face life-threatening situations after becoming stranded in remote locations without sufficient sources of food, water, and heat.
Mongolian law specifies that drivers may not move their vehicles after an accident until police have arrived on the scene and investigated, creating dangerous and obstructive conditions; moving a vehicle will incur a fine and it can take hours before police arrive at the scene of the collision. Foreign drivers may be subject to a less than fair investigation. Frequently, foreign drivers have complained of biased accident investigations in which the foreign driver is assigned fault, even when the evidence suggests a local driver was likely responsible.
Avoid renting a vehicle without a reputable local driver and seat belts. The safety and maintenance standards of rental car companies vary. Local tour companies can provide cars with drivers, but the drivers’ experience, knowledge, and English-speaking abilities will vary.
Cellular phone coverage outside of the major cities is spotty at best; consider using a satellite phone if planning to stay in remote regions. Those wishing to travel outside of Ulaanbaatar (or other sizeable cities) should make all travel and transportation arrangements through recognized and reputable travel agencies/operators.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Marked taxicabs are generally safe and reliable. Unofficial, unregistered, un-metered taxis are common in Ulaanbaatar. Registered taxis may refuse service during rush hour. It is not recommended to use unmarked/unlicensed taxis. Such vehicles are virtually untraceable by the police should a passenger become the victim of a crime. Unmarked/unlicensed taxis are also frequently in poor physical condition and may face a higher risk of involvement in traffic accidents. Confrontations with drivers can quickly escalate into a hazardous situation.
Hitchhiking is common among Mongolians, with the expectation that hitchhikers will compensate private drivers with 2,000-3,000 tugrik, the generally accepted rate for short trips within the city.
Ulaanbaatar has a reliable bus system; bus maps are not posted in English. Public buses can be overcrowded during rush hour times. Some buses are in poor physical condition, putting them at risk of involvement in traffic accidents. Foreigners using public buses are at risk for pickpocketing and other crimes of opportunity. Women have reported instances of inappropriate physical contact on buses.
Unsafe, icy roads in winter and heavy traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar throughout the year further increase the danger of using public transportation. There is also no guarantee that drivers of public buses or unmarked/unlicensed taxis have valid licenses or are compliant with local law.
A north-south railroad line connects Ulaanbaatar to Russia (Ulan Ude and Irkutsk) and China (Erlian and Beijing). Rail travel is safe; a partial derailment in 2018 led to nine injured passengers.
Aviation Concerns
Mongolia has limited transportation connections through its main international airport Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). Air travel is safe; no major accidents have occurred recently.
As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Mongolia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Mongolia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. However, there are multiple direct flights to countries in Europe, South Korea, and Japan.
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights; and consider the European Union Air Safety List.
Maritime Security
Mongolia is a landlocked country.
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.
Review OSAC’s reports, Special Report: Worldwide Hostage and Detention Threats and Special Report: Wrongful Detention Country Placemats.
Health Concerns
Medical Emergency Line: 103
With few exceptions, Mongolian hospitals do not meet Western standards. Although most doctors and emergency responders are dedicated professionals, their training and equipment are sub-standard. Most modern medical facilities are in Ulaanbaatar, though some public and private hospitals in larger provincial cities offer medical services on par with those in the capital. Medical services may be completely unavailable in remote areas. Mongolia does not have helicopter medical evacuation and those who require medical assistance in remote areas must drive to the nearest major town. Medical evacuation to Ulaanbaatar is conducted by commercial air carriers, range is limited and their ability to operate is weather dependent, but SOS does have a fixed wing and rotor wing. Medical evacuation can cost up to $100,000.
The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mongolia.
Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Vaccinations
Strongly consider all routine vaccines prior to all travel. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tick-borne encephalitis, and typhoid vaccinations are also recommended.
Rabies, plague, meningococcal meningitis, tuberculosis, measles, and influenza are prevalent in Mongolia.
Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Mongolia. Rabies is also present in some terrestrial wildlife species. If rabies exposures occur while in Mongolia, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.
Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.
Issues Traveling with Medications
Travelers with chronic medical conditions should carefully weigh the risks of traveling to Mongolia, because specialty medicines are likely unavailable. Some pharmacies in Ulaanbaatar carry European or U.S. pharmaceuticals, but quantity and variety is limited. Most pharmaceuticals come from China or Russia and lack English labels. Brand-name drugs and medical supplies can be hard to find, and public hospitals are frequently out of stock. While many over-the-counter drugs are available, travelers should consider bringing your own medications in their original containers and with evidence of prescriptions as appropriate. If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Mongolian Embassy to ensure the medication is legal in Mongolia.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
Drinking water is likely not up to U.S. standards for potability.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Natural Disasters
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Natural Disaster “N” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mongolia.
Mongolia experiences seismic activity, including minor earthquakes. The country regularly experiences earthquakes in the range of 4.0-4.4 magnitude on the Richter scale. Most tremors are centered in the country’s mountainous west. According to NEMA, seismic activity has increased in Mongolia in the past few years. There are concerns that even a relatively minor quake would be devastating to Ulaanbaatar due to the number of apartment buildings built to low standards. Review OSAC’s reports, Central Asia Earthquake Preparedness and Earthquake Preparedness Toolkit.
Mongolia becomes bitterly cold in the winter. From late September to mid-May, temperatures fall well below zero degrees Fahrenheit and settle in the -10s for extended periods. The harsh cold regularly results in numerous deaths. A vehicle breakdown in an isolated location can quickly become a life-threatening event.
Due to the pervasiveness of coal-burning for domestic heating, Ulaanbaatar and most other Mongolian cities suffer severe air pollution during winter; the U.S. Embassy’s air quality monitor registers Air Quality Indices (AQIs) more than 300 most days from December through February. Air pollution often reaches hazardous levels because of emissions from coal-burning stoves, power plants, boilers, and vehicles. Although the government is taking measures to reduce pollution, growing urbanization and an influx of residents’ challenges efforts to reduce emissions at the individual household level. Winter visitors should use custom-fitted N95- or N99-compliant particle masks if spending extended periods outdoors in Ulaanbaatar.
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated. Mongolia’s vast area and limited road and communications infrastructure make emergency response challenging for local and national authorities. Mongolia’s severe weather—desert conditions in the summer in many tourist areas and dangerously cold in the winter (-40° F) across the country—exacerbates the potential for urgent situations, especially in the event of injury or becoming lost or disoriented outside of city centers. The Embassy recommends travelers not drive outside of Ulaanbaatar or other city centers after sunset.
In winter, visitors should always keep high-quality cold-weather clothing in vehicles, even for short trips, to protect oneself in the event of delay or becoming stranded. Routine safety inspections for emergencies and medical equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and tour guides and tourist attraction staff may not be adequately trained or certified by the host government or recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, basic medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities, with significant limitations on the availability of medication and quality of health care. First responders are generally unable to quickly access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment.
During the summer of 2023 Mongolia experienced significant rainfall resulting in flooding. In Ulaanbaatar the Selbe River overflowed and flooded populated areas resulting in property damage and some deaths. Other locations within the city flooded on different dates.
Review OSAC’s report, Earthquake Preparedness Toolkit.
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.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counter-intelligence Issues
Although there is no systemic government infringement on personal privacy, visitors should have no expectation of U.S.-style privacy in public or private locations. Hotel staff may access hotel rooms without the occupants’ consent/knowledge. Take precautions to safeguard sensitive, personal, and/or proprietary 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.
