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1. INTRODUCTION AND GEOGRAPHY A minor editorial change has been made in Section 7 of this Travel Report. Mongolia (capital: Ulaanbaatar) is located in north central Asia, between China and Russia. The official language is Mongol. Tourist facilities are available in Ulaanbaatar, but limited elsewhere. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 5 below). BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Violent crime occurs. Foreigners have been targeted for street crime, especially in Ulaanbaatar and other major cities and in tourist areas. There have been recent reports of harassment of individual travellers at border crossings. Beware of pickpockets. Travellers should be particularly cautious in the area surrounding the State Department Store in Ulaanbaatar, where foreigners have been mugged. Foreigners have also been robbed by individuals posing as police officers, particularly in the Sukhbaatar Square area. If approached, ask to see police credentials or offer to go to the police station. Exercise caution in crowded areas, including open air markets, the central post office and the Gandan Monastery, and when using public transportation. Thefts occur frequently on trains between Mongolia and Russia. Travellers are advised to only use licensed taxis equipped with meters, regardless of the distance of their journey. After dark, it is strongly recommended that travellers carry flashlights and not walk alone. It is also recommended to arrange a taxi with the hotel. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Mongolian authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on April 4, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Mongolian Embassy and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Mongolia. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Travellers arriving in or departing from Mongolia through China should also be aware of Chinese visa regulations. Canadian citizens require a visa to transit China. Visitors must register with the Office of Immigration, Naturalization, and Foreign Citizens within one week upon arrival if they are staying for more than 30 days. An HIV test is required for those staying over 3 months. The Civil Registration Office will accept "internationally recognized" test results from abroad. Tourist Visa: Required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address: Mongolia - ULAANBAATAR, Consulate of Canada Address: Bodi Tower, 7th Floor, Sukhbaatar Square, Chingeltei District, Ulaanbaatar Postal Address: P.O. Box 1028, Ulaanbaatar-13, Mongolia Tel.: 976 (11) 328-285 Fax: 976 (11) 328-289 E-Mail: Canada@mongolnet.mn The Embassy of Canada in Beijing, China, has consular responsibility for Mongolia. The address is as follows: China - BEIJING, Embassy of Canada Address: Consular Section, 19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100600 Tel.: 86 (10) 6532-3536 Toll Free: 10800-1400125; 00800-2326-6831 Fax: 86 (10) 6532-5544 E-Mail: beijing.consular@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.beijing.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Beijing, China, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Road conditions are poor. Driving can be hazardous, especially in rural areas. Drivers have little regard for traffic regulations and do not follow safe driving practices. Access to rural areas can be hampered by heavy snowfalls during the winter months. Domestic flights operated by national airlines do not always meet international aviation safety standards due to a lack of maintenance and safety equipment. Overland entry, other than by train, must be authorized by the Head of the Consular Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mongmer@magicnet.mn). Requests must be specifically addressed to the Head of the Consular Section. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. The currency is the tugrug (MNT). U.S. dollars and credit cards are accepted in hotels and some restaurants, mainly in Ulaanbaatar. U.S. dollar traveller's cheques are accepted at some hotels and can be converted at several banks. Travellers should carry local currency, especially in rural areas. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency. BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Mongolia is located in an active seismic zone. You should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Beijing, China in the event of an emergency. There is a short rainy season from mid-July to mid-September. Dust storms occur between May and June. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION The standard of medical care is low. Travellers should avoid situations that will require medical treatment. A few hospitals in Ulaanbaatar cater to foreigners, but they suffer from a shortage of medicine and reliable medical staff. Travellers should bring basic medical supplies (e.g., antibiotic ointment, bandages, diarrhea medication, laxative, aspirin, and contraceptives), as they may be difficult to find. Bring a supply of antibiotics, bearing in mind that these should be taken only under a doctor's supervision. Tap water is not potable. Bottled water is available in urban areas. Travellers should be aware of the dangers of hypothermia as temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees Celsius in winter. Travellers suffering from any illness or injury that could be life threatening should depart immediately to Beijing, China, where high-quality medical treatment can be obtained. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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