This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Civil Unrest/Political Tension (update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

A four-day state of emergency in the capital Ulaanbaatar was declared after violent protests erupted following parliamentary elections on June 28.

You should continue to avoid demonstrations as they have the potential to turn violent. We urge Australians to exercise a high degree of caution at this time and avoid unnecessary local travel in the capital.

Crime

We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Mongolia because of the risk of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

The incidence of violent crime in Mongolia is increasing, particularly in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Travellers have been robbed and assaulted, especially when walking at night.

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is prevalent. Thieves typically operate on public transport and in crowded areas in Ulaanbaatar such as Chinggis Khan International Airport, the Gandan Monastery, the State Department Store, the so-called "Black Market" and the train station. Travellers have reported being robbed by criminals posing as police officers, particularly in the Sukhbaatar Square area of Ulaanbaatar.

Thefts frequently occur on trains travelling between Mongolia and Russia. Travellers have also been robbed when using unlicensed taxis.

Local Travel

Driving in Mongolia can be hazardous, particularly at night, due to poor visibility, road conditions, vehicle maintenance and local driving practices. There are few sealed roads outside of the capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Climate conditions in Mongolia vary from +35 degrees Celsius in summer to -40 degrees Celsius in winter. Even in summer, weather conditions can change quickly, heightening the risk of hypothermia. GPS, maps, communications equipment such as a satellite phone and emergency medical supplies can assist travellers visiting non-urban areas, where communication and medical facilities are often limited.

Insurance policies should have provisions for delays to your itinerary as heavy snowfalls in Mongolia can hamper access to many regional areas (and can also hamper medical evacuations from remote locations).

Local travel and bus operators may not carry accident liability insurance.

Quarantine restrictions to access some regional districts are occasionally in place for diseases such as avian influenza and foot and mouth disease. Restrictions are subject to change and you should seek information from the Mongolian authorities or the nearest Mongolian Embassy or Consulate if you are planning to travel to regional areas.

Airline Safety

Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards on aircraft used on domestic flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Mongolia is subject to earthquakes. The rainy season occurs between July and September.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.

The number of ATMs in Ulaanbaatar is limited. Older US currency (prior to 1986) may not be accepted in Mongolia, even by banks. US dollars, Euro and Chinese Yuan are popular currencies. Bank notes of different nominal value are exchanged at different rates, with smaller notes at a lower rate. Most shops, supermarkets and restaurants in Mongolia do not accept credit cards.

Outside Ulaanbaatar you should carry local currency.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Mongolia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include lengthy imprisonment served in local jails. Serious crimes such as murder attract the death penalty.

Homosexual acts are not illegal in Mongolia however you should be aware of local sensitivities.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Information for Dual Nationals

Mongolia does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Mongolian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.

Australian/Mongolian dual nationals intending to reside in Mongolia may be required to complete national service obligations. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mongolia well in advance of travel.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mongolia for the most up to date information.

A visa is required for all travellers to Mongolia.

If you intend to visit Mongolia, your passport must be valid for at least six months after the duration of your intended stay. Travellers are also required to provide evidence of a return or onward airline ticket.

Local authorities may require you to have a HIV/AIDS test if you intend to stay in Mongolia for longer than one month.

Overland entry, other than by train, is not allowed unless special permission is obtained in advance from the Mongolian Authorities.

If you are intending to travel to China from Mongolia, you will not be permitted by the Chinese Authorities to enter unless you have a valid entry visa for China. If you are intending to enter Mongolia from China and then re-enter China (e.g. transiting Beijing on a return journey) you must have a double or multiple entry visa for China.

Many travellers have reported border and customs difficulties when entering Mongolia from Russia by train. Problems may occur if all goods and cash have not been declared on customs declarations when entering and exiting Russia. There have also been reports of difficulties in obtaining Russian visas in Ulaanbaatar. You should ensure you have all necessary visas for onward travel before arriving in Mongolia.

Concerns about international child abduction have prompted governments, including Mongolia, to implement more stringent exit/entry procedures. Adults entering Mongolia in the company of a child other than their own should carry a notarised letter from the legal guardian granting them permission to accompany the child.

You are required to register with the police if staying in Mongolia for longer than 30 days. Failure to do so may result in a substantial fine. Residents who have registered with the police are required to de-register with the police before departing Mongolia. Those who do not may not be allowed to exit through Mongolian border controls or may have to pay a substantial fine.

The importation of electrical and some high technology equipment is strictly controlled. This extends to the importation of equipment in accompanied baggage. Certification and approval is required. This does not apply to common items such as laptop computers.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for staying healthy while travelling overseas.

The standard of medical care and range of familiar medicines available in Mongolia is often limited, particularly outside Ulaanbaatar. Doctors and hospitals require cash payment prior to providing services, even for emergency care. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation can be provided but are expensive and difficult to arrange with possible delays to obtaining required approvals. Payment is usually required up-front for medical evacuations and costs may exceed $60 000.

Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), hepatitis, meningitis, rabies, typhoid and tuberculosis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

You can obtain full consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in China:

Australian Embassy
21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Sanlitun
Beijing 100600
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Telephone: (86 10) 5140 4111
Facsmilie: (86 10) 5140 4204
Website www.china.embassy.gov.au

The Australian Consulate, headed by an Honorary Consul, can provide limited consular assistance to Australians in Mongolia. Contact details are:

Mr Jargalant Elbegsaikhan

Office Address:

Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar District, 7th horoo, 11th microdistrict
Erkhuugiyn Gudamj 1/1
EVT Co. Building, 1st Floor
Fax: (976 11) 350016 or 350018
Mobile: (976) 99165764
Telephone: (976 11) 353471 (home)
Email: elbeg@yahoo.com

Postal Address:

Box 498, Postal Office 20
Ulaanbaatar 210620
MONGOLIA

If you are travelling to Mongolia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.