Mongolia student visa (E categories)

E1 covers pupils at general education schools, E2 students at higher education institutions, and E3 people coming for Mongolian language, history and culture courses or other vocational education and training. E4 is for foreigners doing internships, scientific work or research at a state-owned legal entity or a research institution, and E5 for those engaged in innovation, science or research. Only E2 and E5 have dependant categories (E2-1 and E5-1). In every case the inviting institution files the visa request.

For E2 the Agency asks for the inviting institution’s request stating its activity and the purpose and length of the student’s stay, the institution’s state registration certificate and any licence, a colour copy of the passport, the page with the visa and entry stamp, a 3.5 x 4.5 cm colour photo taken within six months, proof of enrolment such as the admission order, the study contract and the tuition payment receipt, a certificate of address from the soum or khoroo governor, and the authorisation of the staff member filing the request.

The residence permit for study, professional development, internships and research is the cheapest category: MNT 45,000 including the card fee, or MNT 90,000 urgent, plus USD 7. It is granted for up to one year. Processing takes 10 working days, or 8 for urgent service. The application for a residence permit is filed with the Immigration Agency within 21 days of crossing the border. Applicants may be required to take a medical examination. If the permit is refused, a new request can be made after 90 days. When the Agency reports that the card has been printed, the applicant brings the original passport to collect it.

After admission, the school, university or research institution requests the visa permission from the Immigration Agency (MNT 2,500 per person). The visa is issued at the Mongolian mission or border checkpoint named in the permission. A single-entry visa costs USD 45 plus a USD 5 service fee and allows up to 90 days within a validity of 150 days. A foreigner who arrived on a K1 business visa may switch only to E5.

Extensions are requested from the Immigration Agency before the permit runs out; a change of residence form must be requested at least five days before expiry. Students register their address with the soum or khoroo governor within 14 days and report each change of address for MNT 2,500. When a child living with parents reaches 18, the child’s permit is moved to the form that matches the child’s own status.