A convenient and fast alternative for travellers who need to obtain a Mongolian visa along the way.
The visa for Mongolia is compulsory since 2016 for French nationals. Like that of his neighbour Russia, the Mongolian visa is not necessarily difficult to obtain but requires: several documents, a small amount of money and, depending on where it will be made, more or less months of time.
This article details the most practical alternative we found when we were abroad: make a Mongolian visa in Irkutsk (Russia)). Far from the major embassies of Paris, Moscow or Beijing, here the steps are simple and fast. However, as with any visa on the way, they require a minimum of Organization.
What you will find in this article:
→ Different alternatives to obtaining a visa for Mongolia
→ Practical information and detailed steps in the application of Mongolian visa to Irkoutsk
→ List of documents needed to obtain Mongolian visa in Irkutsk
In short: the different alternatives to obtaining a visa for Mongolia.
Why not France?
Making your Mongolian visa from France will require a little more time and more documents. However, this alternative will not cost more than abroad (depending on the location in France, see below) and will even have the merit of Allow yourself to be more serene on your future journey, so this is an option to consider if you're not yet abroad. Please note, however: your visa for Mongolia will only be valid for 90 days after its date of receipt. Basically, you have 90 days to enter the territory from the moment you get the visa (this may be a problem if you don't go directly to Mongolia afterwards, or if you go around the world for example). To sum up, here are the options available to you from France.
→ If you're near Paris - Good news, you're near the only embassy in Mongolia in France. All you have to do is draw up a file containing the various documents requested and attach a cheque for 60€. After an appointment to Embassy of Mongolia, you will receive your visa within 7 to 10 days (if no error has been made in the preparation of your file).
→ If you're not near Paris Depending on your location, it may be better to go through an agency to avoid travel costs to Paris. This one will take care of all the steps and will mainly allow you to get your visa remotely, for a surcharge. With an agency like RapidvisaYour visa will cost you 99€ (60€ for the visa price + 39€ Agency costs). You'll get your visa within 7 to 15 days.
Visa the borders of Mongolia.
If as we wish to avoid the paperwork requested by the French administration or you simply cannot be on French territory the 3 months before your arrival in Mongolia, then you must opt for this option: Make your Mongolian visa from one of the border countries. You have a choice between several embassies:
In Russia
In China
In Kazakhstan
In general, keep in mind that large cities are more popular and that delays are therefore extended. If you can, also avoid the high periods of summer.
Practical information and detailed steps of the Mongolian visa application in Irkutsk.
The capital of Irkutsk Oblast in central Siberia is a very frequent stop when it crosses Russia. Located just a few kilometres from Lake Baikal, this makes it the ideal drop point to explore the world's largest freshwater reserve. It is also a very popular place for the application of the Mongolian visa, since few documents are requested and obtaining is done during the day, see in the hour to read some testimonials.
Mongolian Consulate in Irkutsk
- Address : Ulitsa Lapina, 11, Irkutsk, Irkutskaya oblast, Russia, 664003.
- Hours : Monday to Friday, 9am – 12pm / 3pm – 5pm | October 2018.
- Go back : Take a local bus (20 rubles from any city centre stop) and get dropped off in the main avenue « Ekonomicheskaya akademiya » (easy to spot with Maps.me)
Be careful! Don't forget to check the validity of the schedules as well as the calendar: holidays = closed consulate.
Documents to gather for your visa application in Irkutsk
→ #1 YOUR PASSPORT
Exactly like Russian visaIt must be in good condition, include at least 2 blank pages face to face and be valid at least 6 months After you get your visa. A photocopy of the main page will also be requested, but it is possible to do it free on site.
→ #2 VISA APPLICATION FORM + 1 PHOTO DIDENTITY.
You can download the visa application form directly Here, but it will also be available on site. Translated into English, the document does not have any difficulties, but you will have to inform the address of your first night in the territory. If you haven't booked anything, don't panic: you can take a night with free cancellation on Booking.com.
On this document you will also have to affix your entry and exit dates: this is a very important and decisive information for the future. If you don't have a specific release date, don't hesitate to plan wide and 30 days allowed.
At our request in September 2018, we did not need to bring proof of entry and exit But according to some accounts, these documents can be requested so if you already have your tickets (airplane, bus, train) don't hesitate to take them when you apply. If we didn't plan anything and your smile isn't enough, there'll always be a way to find a solution on the internet.
→ #3 TRAVEL INSURANCE CERTIFICATION.
As with the Russian visa applicationThis is not optional: you must take out travel insurance if you wish to go to Mongolia. For our part, as we were leaving for at least one year of travel to various countries, we had taken insurance Cap Aventure of the Chapka Insurance.
To obtain your certificate, simply send an email to your insurer requesting a certificate. with your dates of entry / exit. Companies like Chapka Insurance are used to such applications and are aware of the steps to be taken to obtain a visa for Mongolia.
Mongol Visa in Irkutsk – Other useful information
→ Cost of visa :
We paid 70$ eachthe same price as in France. It is possible to pay in dollars or rubles.
→ Time limits for obtaining :
As noted above, the time frame for obtaining benefits varies according to season. In September we filed our file in the morning and retrieved our visa the same night, but when the consulate is a more busy the deadline may extend to 3 days Working.
→ Validity Visa:
Once your visa's in your pocket, you have 3 months to enter Mongolia. After that, you'll need a new visa.
→ Tip & Tip:
Did you just drop off your visa and it will only be available in a few hours (and it's raining today)? We have not seen many coffees very « Cosy » (we didn't look too much for it either) Traveler It's worth it. You should warm up! If you are applying for a visa for a few days, take advantage of it to plan an excursion on the shores of the beautiful Lake Baikal.
To summarize
Making a visa for Mongolia in Irkutsk therefore has a lot of benefits :
- Speed (a few hours to 3 days)
- Ease (little document to be provided)
- Does not cost more than elsewhere (60€).
We advise you to do so in France if you live near the embassy where if your schedule is loaded and that you cannot afford to take the time necessary for these steps along the way. Finally, keep in mind that this article summarizes our experience dating from September 2018. After verification, this information is still current as we write this article in February 2020.
One more tampon!
We hope that this article has been useful. If some questions remain pending or if you wish to share some comments, please share with us in the comments: We always answer.
Nice web page you have going here.
Bonjour Delphine et Maxime,
Juste pour vous dire un grand merci de nous faire partager vos voyages et merci aussi pour les infos relatives au visa pour la Mongolie. Je rêve de pouvoir circuler en fourgon 4*4 Mercedes Sprinter dans ces grandes étendues. Avec ma compagne Patinou, nous serions très heureux de rencontrer la famille Mongole à qui nous avons offert une yourte il y a déjà 5 ans.
Je ne suis pas sur les réseaux sociaux, comment puis-je savoir où vous êtes actuellement (11 Mai 2025) par rapport à votre voyage à destination du Japon ?
Vous avez beaucoup de chance de découvrir la beauté de Gaïa, de la Nature et de la diversité des personnes constituant l’humanité. Je suppose que vous devez remercier le ciel très souvent de tant de sollicitude.
Bonne route à vous et à bientôt peut-être.
Jean-Luc et Patinou