Frequently Asked Questions
About the ACMS
Does the ACMS provide scholarships?
No. The ACMS does not provide scholarships, but the ACMS runs several fellowship programs to support the research work of Mongolian, US, and third-country students and scholars as part of larger research projects. Recipients are announced every year in early spring.
Who are your patrons and clients?
ACMS welcomes people of all nationalities and academic/professional backgrounds and experience levels to join as members, utilize our services, participate in our programs, and support our operations as donors. We do not discriminate on any basis in our mission to preserve, promote, and share Mongolian culture and language with the world.
Visa and Registrations
Do I need a Mongolian visa?
Holders of US passports who travel to Mongolia for official, private business and tourism for up to 90 days are exempted from visa requirements.
If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you will need a Mongolian visa.
Please note that this information is for US passport holders only. For nationals of other countries, please consult this page or visit the website of your country’s foreign affairs ministry.
How do I apply for a Mongolian visa?
This is visa information for US citizens only.
In order to stay in Mongolia for more than 90 days or to obtain a multiple entry visa for work or study, approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia is required. A host institution in Mongolia must send a letter of introduction and visa request on your behalf to receive this approval. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs then sends the approval letter to the Mongolian Embassy in Washington, DC, where your visa is ultimately issued if receiving it prior to entering Mongolia. Learn more at the Mongolian Embassy website.
Please note that different types of visa, such as student or work visas, have different requirements that must be discussed with your sponsoring or host institution in Mongolia. Please be advised that ACMS cannot serve as a host or sponsoring institution for student or research visas in Mongolia.
What if I stay in Mongolia longer than 90 days?
If you are staying more than 90 days, you must get an official letter from your host institution. This letter must explain your reason for staying in Mongolia and must request long-term residency permission after you have acquired your visa. Two copies are needed. One to the Ministry of Education and one copy to the Immigration office. A contract (if you have any) with your host institution may be required at the MoE (so it a good idea to have one made). In addition, you will need to do the following:
Acquire a letter of proof of your local address from your local municipality (Oron suutsni khoroo)
Go to the Immigration office and purchase a form to fill out.
Prepare one copy of a recent identification photo (approx.1.5 x 2.5 inch).
Make a copy of your passport identification page (at the Immigration office, they do copies for a nominal fee).
Finally, go back to the Immigration office with the following: Passport, identification photo, completed registration form, letter with proof of residency, letter of visa sponsorship from MoE, and + 31,500₮ (for the permit).
Does the ACMS assist with visa applications or registrations?
Yes. The ACMS can provide assistance in completing the registration process, including support in acquiring the appropriate letters of sponsorship from host institutions and submitting documents to the relevant agencies. These services are provided on a fee-basis to cover administrative costs. ACMS members are asked to pay $35, where as non-members are asked to pay $50. These rates are for ACMS assistance, and do not include the fees charged by the Mongolian government agencies. Please note that ACMS cannot serve as a visa sponsor for those hoping to work or conduct long-term research in Mongolia.
Accommodations
What is the average cost of an apartment rental in Ulaanbaatar?
The average cost of apartments can vary depending on location, condition, and whether it is furnished. A furnished studio (Mongolian 1-room) is approximately $400-$500 per month, a 1-bedroom (Mongolian 2-room) is approximately $500-$600 per month, a 2-bedroom (Mongolian 3-room) is approximately $600-$700 and above. Guest houses are available for approximately $20 per night. Landlords sometimes ask foreign renters to provide payment for an entire lease up front, but terms of leases are often negotiable.
What is included in an apartment rental?
Generally all utilities are included, plus phone. But some landlords ask for payments for electricity usage over 100 watts per month.
The apartments are also typically furnished. For rental to foreigners they are usually furnished including bed, couch, refrigerator, electric stove, TV, phone, vacuum cleaner etc.
Does the ACMS assist in arranging housing and accommodations?
No. The ACMS does not generally assist in arranging accommodations. However, we are happy to make recommendations and connections when available. In general, we advise that foreigners coming to Mongolia for the first time utilize Facebook groups such as Expats in Mongolia - EiM - Mongolian Expat Community, Expats & Foreigners in Mongolia, Apartments Rent for Expats and Foreigners in Mongolia, and Apartment Rental for Expats in Mongolia to help them with their search. There are also a number of reasonably-priced vacation rentals in downtown UB that visitors can rent through sites such as VRBO or AirBnB.
Mongolian Language
What US colleges offer Mongolian language courses?
Indiana University at Bloomington offers Mongolian language courses and resources including term-time language courses and online intensive beginner Mongolian through the university’s Summer Language Workshop.
Western Washington University has a Mongolian Studies program including area studies and culture courses and occasional introductory language classes, and is also home to a large collection of Mongolian books, manuscripts, and other library materials.
ACMS offers year-round in-person and online Mongolian language classes for learners of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels from complete beginner to advanced, as well as classes in Mongol Bichig, the traditional Mongolian script. For more information about language classes, visit this page of our website or contact Tsermaa@mongoliacenter.org.
Every summer, we also offer our flagship Intensive Summer Mongolian Language Program for intermediate- and advanced-level learners with one or more years of previous Mongolian language study. Learn more here.
If you would like to learn how you can purchase ACMS Mongolian language textbooks in Ulaanbaatar, please contact us.
What are the average rates for translators?
Professional level translators – for workshops and seminars may be around $100 per hour.
High level translators – $100 per day.
Intermediate level translators – $50-$80 per day.
Average rate for unofficial daily translations – $15-$25 (for mid-to-low level translators who are mostly students. You can negotiate based on their language skills).