Mongolia Extends Visa Exemption for 34 Countries Through 2026

(MONGOLIA) — Mongolia extended its visa exemption policy for citizens of 34 countries through the end of 2026, following a government decision announced on December 31, 2025.

The extension preserves a 30‑day visa exemption that was introduced in 2023 and had been due to expire on December 31, 2025, before being renewed for an additional year.

Overview of the change

Mongolia’s move comes alongside changes that make visa-free entry more selective for some nationalities starting in 2026, even as U.S. and Canadian travelers keep visa-free access under separate terms.

The visa extension is part of Mongolia’s tourism development strategy under the Years to Visit Mongolia program and the “Go Mongolia” initiative, which aim to diversify the economy beyond its heavy dependence on mining and mineral exports.

Officials cited a steady rise in visitors as a reason to keep easing entry rules for targeted markets: Mongolia welcomed 846,103 foreign tourists in 2025, a 5% increase year-over-year. The government has set a longer-term goal of receiving 2 million foreign tourists by 2028.

Key takeaway: The extension maintains visa-free incentives for selected countries while restructuring access for others to support tourism growth and economic diversification.

What changes in 2026

Beginning in 2026, Mongolia’s visa-free entry rules will vary by nationality. The principal shifts are:

• Some travelers will move from visa-free status to e-visas.
• Others will keep visa-free stays but with defined limits or additional requirements.
• Rules will be nationality-specific; travelers must check the exact terms that apply to them.

Specific nationality treatments

• United States: Citizens will continue to travel visa-free for up to 90 days.
• Canada: Citizens will continue to travel visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Australia & New Zealand: Citizens will need e-visas under the updated approach, tightening entry compared with earlier visa-free access.
• Most European countries: Will require e-visas, with notable exceptions:
• Germany, Turkey, Russia, and Belarus will retain visa-free access under the revised 2026 landscape.
• Ukraine: Citizens may still enter without a visa, but they will need an official invitation letter, adding an extra administrative step even where visa-free entry remains.

How to get an e-visa

E-visas can be obtained through the official portal: evisa.mn, providing a digital route for travelers who are no longer covered by visa-free entry or who face new requirements under the 2026 restructuring.

Steps to secure entry (recommended)

1. Confirm your nationality-specific rule for 2026 (visa-free, e-visa, or visa with invitation).
2. If required, apply for an e-visa at evisa.mn.
3. If applicable (e.g., Ukraine), obtain an official invitation letter before travel.
4. Verify permitted length of stay and any documentation needed on arrival.

Implications for travelers and Mongolia

• For travelers planning trips under the Years to Visit Mongolia drive, checking nationality-specific rules and permitted length of stay will remain essential.
• The extension through the end of 2026 maintains the 30‑day visa exemption framework for the 34‑country group first introduced in 2023, preserving one of Mongolia’s tools to attract visitors while the country seeks to reduce reliance on mining and mineral exports.

Quick facts (at a glance)

Important warnings and deadlines

• The extension is valid only through December 31, 2026. Travelers should confirm entry rules for trips planned after that date.
• Nationality-based rule changes take effect in 2026; travelers with plans spanning 2025–2026 should verify whether their entry category changes.
• Additional documentation (such as an official invitation letter for Ukrainian citizens) may be required even where visa-free access nominally remains.