Moving to Mongolia as an expatriate means accepting a permanent balancing act: between endless steppes and Ulaanbaatar traffic jams, nomadic life and a mining boom, modest rent and -30°C winters, warm hospitality and bureaucratic red tape. The country is attracting more and more people seeking adventure, professional opportunities in mining or education, or simply a radical change of scenery. But a successful relocation requires careful preparation for your arrival, budget, paperwork, and… your lungs.
Good to know:
This guide covers the essential aspects to consider before moving to Mongolia: adapting to the climate, evaluating the cost of living, finding housing, opening a bank account, employment and visa formalities, accessing the healthcare system, schooling for children, safety guidelines, as well as cultural integration and organizing daily life.
Understanding the country before leaving
Mongolia is a vast landlocked country, sandwiched between Russia to the north and China to the south. With approximately 3.5 million inhabitants spread over more than 1.5 million km², it is the most sparsely populated country on the planet. On average, there are just over two inhabitants per square kilometer.
Nearly half the population lives in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, located about 1,300 meters above sea level on the Tuul River. The other half is distributed among small towns, villages, and especially rural areas, where 30 to 40% of residents are still nomadic or semi-nomadic herders. The country is administratively divided into 21 provinces (aimags), themselves subdivided into 331 soums.
Tip:
The official language is Mongolian, primarily written in the Cyrillic alphabet. The dominant religion is Buddhism, heavily influenced by Tibetan tradition. Alongside this, traditional shamanic practices remain very present, especially in rural areas.
Economically, Mongolia relies heavily on its natural resources. Mining (coal, copper, gold, notably at the gigantic Oyu Tolgoi site) drives growth and attracts foreign capital and skilled labor. The country has experienced periods of double-digit growth, around 20% in some years, before settling back to more moderate rates. GDP per capita is now around 4,000 USD, in a context of high inflation (recently over 13%).
For an expatriate, this means a rapidly changing environment: construction sites all over Ulaanbaatar, rising local salaries in some sectors, but also still fragile infrastructure, significant disparities between city and countryside, and occasional price spikes.
Climate and best time to move
Mongolia is often described as the “Land of the Blue Sky” with over 250 sunny days a year, but this flattering slogan hides a harsher reality: the climate is of the extreme continental type, with considerable temperature swings and very distinct seasons.
-57
Record minimum temperature recorded in Mongolia, illustrating the extreme severity of winter in the country.
Spring, from March to May, is known for its violent winds and dust storms, especially in the south and center. The swings between day and night can be impressive and the weather changes very quickly. In the Gobi Desert, wind gusts can exceed 100 km/h, even 140 km/h.
21
Average national summer temperature in Mongolia, with extremes that can reach 50°C in the Gobi Desert.
Autumn, in September-October, often offers stable weather, magnificent colors in the forested mountain areas (Altai, Khangai, Khentii), and still bearable temperatures, but the nights cool down quickly.
For an expatriate, moving is generally easier between mid-June and late September, a period when you can discover the country without facing winter head-on. Many specifically recommend September, which is less touristy, with sometimes slightly lower prices, still mild weather, and a capital that has settled down from the summer frenzy.
Ulaanbaatar or the steppes? Choosing your living environment
Moving to Mongolia first means choosing between urban life in Ulaanbaatar and a more rural placement. The two options have nothing in common, neither in terms of comfort, opportunities, nor constraints.
Example:
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, illustrates the country’s strong centralization. It contains about 46% of the national population and concentrates almost all modern services: well-stocked supermarkets, shopping malls (State Department Store, Shangri-La Mall), international restaurants (Korean, Italian, etc.), trendy cafes, gyms, cinemas, coworking spaces, private hospitals, and the main international schools. The city also hosts the majority of expatriate jobs outside mining sites and the largest part of the country’s foreign community.
In return, Ulaanbaatar has a number of drawbacks that can weigh on daily life: massive traffic jams, failing road infrastructure, chaotic driving, dramatic air pollution in winter, sometimes slow internet, a limited leisure offering compared to major capitals, and a very harsh climate. The city remains generally affordable and relatively safe, although authorities report rising crime (theft, occasional assaults, often alcohol-related).
Good to know:
Life in the countryside or small towns is at the heart of Mongolian identity, characterized by spectacular landscapes, a vast sky, clean air, and starry nights. Herds and gers (yurts) dot the horizon. It’s the ideal place to discover nomadic culture: sharing salty milk tea (süütei tsai) with a herder family, tasting traditional cuisine based on meat and dairy products, and understanding the rhythm of the seasons marked by transhumance.
However, there is minimal infrastructure, very limited access to healthcare, few professional opportunities outside specific missions (NGOs, development projects, adventure tourism, agriculture, sometimes off-site mining), unreliable internet connection, and an almost total language barrier. For an expatriate, a long-term placement outside the capital often requires a very specific project, an institutional sponsor, or an independent activity compatible with isolation.
Cost of living: how much should you budget for living in Mongolia?
Overall, Mongolia offers a lower cost of living than most major Western cities, especially for those paid in hard currencies. Ulaanbaatar ranks among the bottom 30% of the world’s cheapest cities according to some indices. But the variations are significant depending on your lifestyle, neighborhood, consumption habits, and domestic travel.
To get a concrete idea, you can start from the following order of magnitude in Ulaanbaatar, based on estimates converted at around 1 USD to 3,400 MNT:
| Profile | Estimated Monthly Budget (USD) | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single person (with rent) | ~870 to 1,200 | Rent + food + transport + utilities |
| Average expatriate | ~893 | Local+ standard of living |
| Digital nomad | ~1,881 | Includes comfortable housing, leisure, travel |
| Local resident | ~494 | Average budget, excluding “expat” expenses |
| Family of 4 (without rent) | ~1,327 to 2,283 | Local or international school fees not included |
The average net salary in Ulaanbaatar is around 1,866,000 MNT, or about 500‑520 USD. The GDP per capita is around 3,700‑4,100 USD per year. For an expatriate paid by a foreign company, these figures mainly serve as a benchmark for calibrating an expatriation package and anticipating differences in living standards.
Housing: the central budget item
The major expense in Ulaanbaatar remains rent. Prices are reasonable by international comparison but heavily segmented by location (downtown, outskirts, sought-after areas near the State Department Store or Sukhbaatar Square, the Zaisan or Hunnu 2222 area, etc.).
| Type of housing | Monthly Rent (MNT) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom downtown | 1,800,000 to 1,813,000 | 420–530 |
| Studio / 1 bedroom outside downtown | 1,200,000 to 1,420,000 | 350–395 |
| 3 bedrooms downtown | 3,500,000 to 5,068,000 | 770–1,030 |
| 3 bedrooms outside downtown | 2,500,000 to 2,550,000 | 655–735 |
| Furnished 45 m² studio (standard area) | ~1,100,000 | ~320 |
| Furnished 85 m² apartment (expensive area) | ~3,450,000 | ~1,000 |
To these rents, you must add utilities: electricity, heating (often collective via the city network), water, garbage. For an apartment of about 85 m², you should budget on average between 248,000 and 273,000 MNT per month (roughly 45 to 75 USD depending on the season and consumption). High-speed internet access is cheap: between 40,000 and 60,000 MNT (15 to 30 USD) per month, a mobile plan with calls and data costs around 24,000 MNT (about 10 USD).
Caution:
Many expatriates choose a central neighborhood near the State Department Store or Sukhbaatar Square to benefit from most services, cafes, offices, international schools, and to reduce commuting time in traffic jams. Specialized real estate agencies (like Mongolian Properties or M.A.D. Urban) offer renovated apartments to Western standards, fully furnished, sometimes with included services like weekly cleaning, 24/7 security, and English-speaking assistance.
Food, restaurants, and leisure
The grocery basket is relatively inexpensive as long as you focus on local products (meat, dairy, some vegetables and fruit). Imported products (European cheeses, wine, brand-name chocolate, organic products, etc.) are significantly more expensive, sometimes considered luxury items.
Base Prices
Summary of main rates and base costs for common services.
Initial Consultation
First evaluation with an expert to discuss your needs and objectives.
Monthly Maintenance
Package for regular monitoring and maintenance of your systems.
Custom Development
Creation of a custom software solution or specific feature.
Emergency Intervention
On-call dispatch and priority resolution of a critical issue.
| Product / service | Average price (MNT) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Simple meal at a local restaurant | 16,000 to 20,000 | 4.8–5.6 |
| Fast‑food meal | ~15,000 to 19,000 | 4.5–5.5 |
| 3-course meal for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | ~100,000 | ~30 |
| Cappuccino | 8,600 to 8,700 | ~2.5 |
| Local draft beer (0.5 l) | 6,000 to 7,000 | 1.8–2 |
| Liter of milk | 4,500 to 4,800 | 1.2–1.4 |
| Bread (500 g) | 2,800 to 3,000 | 0.8–0.9 |
| Eggs (12) | 7,200 to 8,000 | ~2.1 |
| Chicken (1 kg) | 8,500 to 18,000 | 3.5–5.9 |
| Beef (1 kg) | ~18,750 | 5.3–5.5 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 2,100 to 2,320 | 0.7 |
| Mid-range wine | 30,000 to 55,000 | 9–12 |
For a single person, a monthly food budget around 300 USD is realistic, more if you eat out often or prefer imported products.
For leisure, prices remain moderate: a monthly gym membership is between 150,000 and 250,000 MNT, a movie ticket costs around 14,000 MNT, a men’s haircut about 35,000 MNT. Nightlife, concentrated around a few bars, pubs, and clubs, is significantly cheaper than in major Western cities.
Daily transportation
Public transportation in Ulaanbaatar (buses) is very affordable: a ticket costs about 1,000 MNT (0.30 USD) and a monthly pass can range from 26,000 to 60,000 MNT depending on the plan. Taxis are very cheap, but many vehicles operate as unofficial taxis. The price per kilometer is around 3,200 MNT, with a starting fare around 2,000 MNT.
Gasoline is between 3,470 and 4,500 MNT per liter (about 1–1.2 USD). In practice, many expatriates give up daily driving themselves due to very heavy traffic, lack of signage, and sometimes aggressive driving, and prefer taxis or private drivers.
Banking system: opening an account and managing your money
The Mongolian financial system is largely dominated by banks, which account for about 90% of the economy’s financing. There are 16 banks in the country, five of which are considered strategic: Golomt Bank, Khan Bank, State Bank, Trade and Development Bank (TDB), and XacBank. The Bank of Mongolia (Mongol Bank) serves as the central bank and main regulator, alongside the Financial Regulatory Commission for the non-banking sector.
For an expatriate, opening a bank account is not only possible but relatively straightforward. Most major banks in the capital have services dedicated to foreign clients and are accustomed to procedures for expatriates, although the level of English among staff varies greatly from branch to branch.
Good to know:
To open a bank account in Mongolia, you generally need to present a valid passport and a Mongolian residence permit. If you are still on a tourist visa, an employment or business contract justifying your activity can sometimes be accepted in place of the residence card. Some banks may also request two passport-sized photos and, occasionally, a certified or notarized document.
Account opening is done in a branch and can take one to two hours. In some cases, the bank (debit) card is issued within a week. Opening fees are generally non-existent, with the minimum deposit often being very low (sometimes 0 to 5 USD for a basic account). For fixed-term deposits, some banks require a minimum around 1,000 USD or 1,000,000 MNT.
Tip:
It is crucial to specify from the moment you open your account that you want a card usable internationally. Indeed, some so-called “domestic” accounts only allow payments and cash withdrawals within Mongolia. For everyday transactions (local transfers, withdrawals, cash deposits, currency exchange), they are possible at all banks, usually with modest fees: a few hundred tugriks for a local transfer and small percentages on cash deposits or withdrawals.
Currency, exchange, and deposits
The local currency is the Mongolian tugrik (MNT). In recent years, the tugrik has experienced significant depreciation against the US dollar, going from about 1,400 MNT to 1 USD to over 3,500 MNT. This volatility makes investments in MNT seemingly attractive – interest rates are high – but risky if your value reference is in a hard currency.
Mongolian banks offer accounts in a wide range of currencies: US dollars, euros, Chinese renminbi, Korean won, Russian rubles, Japanese yen, British pounds, Swiss francs, Australian and Canadian dollars, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand dollars, etc. Some offer up to 16 different currencies for accounts and deposits.
Among the highest in the world
The rates offered on fixed-term deposits in Mongolian tugrik are among the highest in the world.
| Type of deposit | Currency | Indicative annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| 12-month fixed deposit | MNT | up to ~12–12.4% |
| 1-year certificate of deposit | MNT | around 10% |
| Demand deposits | MNT | approx. 4.5% |
| 12-month fixed deposit | USD | up to ~3.8% |
| USD deposit (other formulas) | USD | approx. 6–7% max |
| 12-month fixed deposit | EUR/RUB/CNY | up to 3% |
| 12-month fixed deposit | JPY | ~1.8% |
These yields must, however, be weighed against inflation, which recently approached 14%, and the structural weakness of the currency. Without conscious risk-taking, it is imprudent for an expatriate to place all their savings in tugriks. Diversification into several currencies and keeping a safety net abroad remains recommended.
You’ll find reasonable exchange fees: a conversion USD → MNT, for example, may incur a cost of around 0.4% of the amount. However, the country occasionally experiences tensions with foreign currencies, with daily withdrawal limits (e.g., a maximum of 300 USD at the counter from a foreign currency account).
It should also be kept in mind that no foreign commercial bank is established in Mongolia. All international relations therefore go through local banks, via the SWIFT network. The IBAN system is only available at some institutions (notably TDB), which can simplify transfers with Europe.
Working in Mongolia: key sectors, salaries, and permits
The Mongolian job market is narrow but dynamic in certain sectors. The unemployment rate is around 5‑6%, for a workforce of about 1.5 million people. The average monthly salary is about 2.5 million MNT (approximately 700–730 USD), with strong sectoral disparities.
The mining industry, the pillar of the economy, regularly recruits highly qualified foreign profiles: engineers, geologists, project managers, safety specialists, etc. Conditions can be attractive (salaries well above local standards, benefits, fly-in/fly-out rotations), but the environment remains demanding: isolation of sites, extreme climatic conditions, industrial risks.
Good to know:
Education is a key sector for expatriates in Ulaanbaatar. International schools recruit qualified teachers, often native English speakers, for programs like the IB, IGCSE/A-Levels, or the North American curriculum. Language centers also hire English teachers, sometimes with just a TEFL certificate, but salaries are generally lower there.
International organizations (UN, World Bank, global NGOs like UNICEF, Mercy Corps, World Vision, Red Cross, Asia Foundation, etc.) constitute a third source of specialized jobs, in development, governance, public health, social protection, or the environment.
Other emerging or promising sectors include energy (especially renewable), construction (many infrastructure projects), telecommunications, agribusiness, and, to a lesser extent, adventure tourism.
Caution:
Mongolian law requires a work permit for any foreigner. Sectoral quotas limit foreign labor to 5-20% of staff, and their salary must be at least double the national minimum wage, aiming to protect local employment.
In practice, most expatriates arrive with a contract already signed, the employer handling the work permit and visa procedures. Starting your own project or looking for a job on the ground without a network is possible but much more complicated, due to quotas, language, formalities, and the relative scarcity of positions.
Visas, long-term stay, and work permits
To prepare for a move to Mongolia, it is essential to master the basics of the visa system. Regulations distinguish between short stays (tourism, business under 30 to 90 days) and extended stays for work, study, or residence.
Several nationalities benefit from visa exemption for short-term tourism or business visits. US citizens, for example, can enter visa-free for visits under 90 days. Some European, Australian, or New Zealand nationals benefit from a temporary exemption policy for 30-day stays, extendable once in-country for an additional 30 days.
Good to know:
For a stay exceeding 30 days, or for any work, study, or residence project in Mongolia, an appropriate visa is required. It must be obtained before departure from a Mongolian embassy or consulate. An e‑visa system is also available for certain categories, such as tourism, transit, or event participation.
For salaried employment, the classic combination is a work visa (type C/HG) coupled with a work permit and a temporary residence permit. The process is largely managed by the Mongolian employer, who must be accredited with the authorities and comply with foreign worker quotas.
Example:
To hire a foreign worker in Mongolia, the employer must first obtain a recruitment authorization. They then submit a visa approval request to the Immigration Agency. Once approved, the visa is issued at a diplomatic mission or at the airport if prior approval exists. After the worker’s arrival, the steps include registering the address, applying for the definitive work permit and residence card. Required documents are the passport, employment contract, medical certificates, a criminal record extract, diplomas, and employer attestations, often translated and notarized.
Work permits and associated residence permits are generally valid for one year and renewable. It is forbidden to start working before these documents are valid. Foreign workers who hold shares in a foreign-invested company and are its director may, in some cases, use a specific investor visa, rather than a standard work permit.
All foreign nationals must also register with the immigration services within 48 hours of their arrival, under penalty of fines upon departure, or even exit bans until regularizations are paid.
Healthcare, hospitals, and insurance: a critical point
The Mongolian healthcare system remains marked by its Soviet heritage. It is organized around a multi-tiered scheme (primary health centers, district hospitals, provincial hospitals, specialized tertiary facilities) and in principle guarantees universal access to free basic care for citizens. But the disparities between Ulaanbaatar and the provinces are enormous: the capital concentrates almost all modern hospitals, specialists, and heavy equipment.
In rural districts, populations often depend on a single small health center (soum health center) with a few nurses and general practitioners, aging infrastructure, limited drug supplies, and almost no sophisticated diagnostics. In some aimags, there is barely 1.3 to 1.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to nearly 4 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants in Ulaanbaatar. Distances, weather, and road conditions further complicate access to care.
80000
Estimated number of Mongolians who travel abroad each year for medical treatment, mainly to China or South Korea.
It is therefore essential for an expatriate to take out international health insurance that systematically includes coverage for medical evacuation to a neighboring country (Seoul, Beijing, Bangkok, or even Europe or North America depending on the policy). Annual premiums for solid coverage can range from about 1,000 to 3,000 USD for a single person, and rise to around 7,000 to 10,000 EUR for a family of four, depending on age, coverage selected, and exclusions.
Good to know:
Mongolian law requires foreigners residing more than six months to hold valid health insurance. While they can join the national social insurance scheme, many expatriates opt for an international policy, which is more comprehensive and better accepted by private hospitals, especially in case of medical evacuation.
It should be kept in mind that Western medicines are rarely available and up to 60% of medicines in circulation are estimated to be counterfeit or of dubious quality according to some estimates. It is therefore advisable to arrive with a sufficient supply of your regular medications, in original packaging, accompanied by a medical prescription in English.
Furthermore, winter in Ulaanbaatar is marked by extreme air pollution. The burning of coal in the peripheral ger districts for domestic heating produces some of the highest concentrations of fine particulate matter in the world, with AQI indices regularly exceeding 200–300 (“very unhealthy” to “hazardous”). For sensitive individuals (asthma, heart disease, children), it is highly recommended to invest in air purifiers for the home and to wear N95-type masks outdoors during peaks.
Schooling: what options for expatriate children?
With a literacy rate of 98% and two-thirds of young people enrolled in higher education, Mongolia displays a solid educational profile. But for expatriate children, it is mainly Ulaanbaatar’s international schools that attract attention.
Several establishments offer full curricula from kindergarten to high school, primarily in English, with recognized international programs (International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, British or North American curricula). Notable schools include:
1992
Year of foundation of the International School of Ulaanbaatar, a CIS and NEASC-accredited IB school.
– The English School of Mongolia (ESM), a school with British and IB curriculum, also recognized by British authorities, with annual fees of 5.4 to 8.95 million MNT.
– The British School of Ulaanbaatar (BSU), which follows the English National Curriculum, offers IGCSE and A‑Levels, and charges around 4,000 to 7,600 USD per trimester.
The American School of Ulaanbaatar (ASU)
Presentation of key information about the ASU international school, founded in 2006.
Academic Program
Curriculum based on the Ontario, Canada school program, covering all levels from kindergarten to high school.
Annual Tuition Fees
Costs vary by grade level, with an approximate range of 8.5 to 18.1 million Mongolian Tugriks (MNT).
– Other establishments like Ulaanbaatar Elite International School, the French International School of Ulaanbaatar, or local bilingual schools complete the landscape.
These schools are mostly located in the capital’s favored neighborhoods (Khan‑Uul, Sukhbaatar, Bayanzürkh), often close to the residences preferred by expatriates. School fees must be integrated very early into your budget or negotiation package, as they alone represent several hundred to over 2,000 USD per month per child.
Practical life: safety, travel, and daily living
In terms of safety, Mongolia is generally described as relatively safe, especially outside major cities. Ulaanbaatar, however, is experiencing a rise in crime linked to rapid urbanization: pickpocketing on buses and in markets, bag snatching, burglaries, bar fights, occasional assaults, especially during festive periods like Naadam in July or Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year).
Caution:
Avoid alcohol consumption, a factor in brawls, and accepting drinks from strangers, which can lead to drugging and theft. Prefer official taxis or recommended ride-hailing services and avoid nighttime gatherings.
Xenophobic tensions remain a minority but real occurrence. Ultra‑nationalist groups have, in the past, targeted foreigners, especially nationals of neighboring countries or mixed couples. This does not mean a Western expatriate is in constant danger, but it requires vigilance, especially during elections or political tensions.
Caution:
Outside the capital, driving requires great caution due to rare signage, poorly maintained roads, frequent stray animals, and increased dangers at night. Expatriates are recommended to hire a professional driver for long trips or in winter. In case of an accident, it is imperative not to move the vehicle before the police or insurance arrive to record the facts.
Daily life also involves some practical constraints: tap water is not potable (everyone drinks bottled water), occasional power or heating outages, slowness of some administrative procedures, wait times in public hospitals. But the capital is surprisingly modern in other aspects: cashmere shops, design cafes, shopping malls, coworking spaces, delivery services, etc.
Culture, social codes, and integration
Mongolian culture is deeply marked by pastoral nomadic life and the necessity of solidarity in a harsh environment. For an expatriate, integration involves learning a few words of Mongolian as much as respecting certain rules of etiquette.
Tip:
When visiting a family, especially in the countryside in a ger, it is customary for them to offer you salty milk tea, dried dairy products (aaruul), airag (fermented mare’s milk), and meat dishes like buuz or khuushuur. An outright refusal is considered impolite. It’s better to taste a little, even if you don’t like the dish, and then politely decline after a few bites.
Respect for elders is very important: greet them first, give them the best seats, serve them first. When giving or receiving something, use your right hand, sometimes supported by the left hand as a sign of respect. Pointing your feet at someone, an altar, or the hearth is considered impolite; if you accidentally touch someone with your foot, it is customary to apologize by shaking their hand.
Good to know:
In a ger (Mongolian yurt), it is customary to remove your shoes before entering. The traditional layout has men sit on the left and women on the right. It is important not to lean on the central poles, not to step over sacred objects, and to avoid whistling inside, as whistling is believed to attract evil spirits.
In the city, Mongolians may seem reserved with foreigners, but often turn out to be warm after a few simple exchanges about the weather, travel, or family. Subjects that are too negative or sensitive (accidents, illness, death) are often avoided in the early stages of a relationship. Self-deprecating humor and curiosity about the other’s culture help a lot to break the ice.
Many Mongolians understand some English in business and tourist circles, but outside these, Mongolian remains essential. Learning a few basics, even just to say hello, thank you, order a meal, or give an address, is a strong sign of respect and greatly facilitates relationships.
Banks, taxation, and legal framework for expatriates
Legally, Mongolia operates as a unitary semi‑presidential republic, with a Parliament called the State Great Khural. The legal system has been evolving constantly since the democratic transition of the early 1990s but can still be difficult for foreigners to navigate, especially in commercial or land matters.
Good to know:
Foreigners can own real estate, but not the land itself, which remains state-owned (usage rights or leases). Regarding the banking sector, the credit rating of banks is modest (e.g., B3 by Moody’s) with a perception of sometimes fragile management. Authorities have recently reformed the sector, mandating the stock exchange listing of major systemic banks and limiting majority ownership by a single shareholder.
Employment income from Mongolian sources is subject to income tax, with a progressive scale (rates from 10 to 20% depending on the amount). Social contributions are mandatory, jointly funded by employer and employee, including a health insurance component. Some countries have double taxation treaties with Mongolia, which can sometimes reduce withholding tax on interest or dividends.
Good to know:
The Bank of Mongolia monitors capital movements and must authorize certain operations likely to affect the tugrik exchange rate, although this rule has rarely been applied since the 1990s. Furthermore, any foreign currency loan granted to a Mongolian borrower must be promptly registered with the central bank.
Expatriate networks and useful resources
The foreign community remains modest in absolute numbers (less than 25,000 official residents from 120 countries) but surprisingly diverse: diplomats, consultants, mining engineers, teachers, humanitarian workers, entrepreneurs, artists, digital nomads. The majority of foreigners come from China, Russia, and South Korea, but Europeans, North Americans, Australians, or Japanese are well represented, especially in Ulaanbaatar.
Example:
The InterNations platform offers an active community in Mongolia with regular events, interest groups (hiking, gastronomy, arts), and a practical help forum. In parallel, the International Women’s Association of Mongolia (IWAM) brings together women of all nationalities around charitable actions and social gatherings, having supported projects for vulnerable women and children for over twenty years.
Specialized forums like Expat.com also have a Mongolia section, where you can find many testimonies from French-speaking people living there, whether they are students, teachers, artisans, engineers, or entrepreneurs. These spaces offer valuable feedback on culture shock, house hunting, dealing with authorities, or social life.
Beyond these structures, the small size of the international community in Ulaanbaatar means everyone eventually crosses paths: concerts, exhibitions, embassy parties, quiz nights in pubs, hiking groups, art workshops, etc. An expatriate who is sufficiently curious and open quickly finds circles of friendship, at the crossroads of Mongolian and foreign worlds.
Conclusion: a country for whom?
Moving to Mongolia as an expatriate is no ordinary relocation. The climate is one of the harshest in the world, Ulaanbaatar’s winter pollution can be discouraging, the healthcare system requires excellent insurance, and bureaucratic delays, power outages, terrible roads, or lack of urban leisure can sometimes weigh on morale.
Good to know:
Despite sometimes harsh living conditions, the country offers a moderate cost of living, professional opportunities in mining, education, or NGOs, a manageable-sized capital, good international schools, preserved nature nearby, and a fascinating culture blending nomadic traditions, Buddhism, Soviet heritage, and modernity.
Mongolia is particularly suitable for profiles ready to step out of their comfort zone: expatriate families supported by a solid employer, young professionals seeking quick responsibility, development or humanitarian specialists, agile entrepreneurs, long-term travelers who want to settle for a few years. For them, the key to success will lie in meticulous preparation (visas, health, budget, housing), a good dose of resilience, and a sincere willingness to understand and respect the host country.
In this context, a guide is only ever a starting point. The rest will be built on the ground, day by day, under the great blue sky of Mongolia.