Mongolia

Last Updated: 2026-03-31

Official Portal: General Authority for State Registration (GASR)

Embassy Finder: Mongolian Diplomatic Missions

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	5 years continuous lawful residence in Mongolia
Language requirement	Must speak Mongolian
Civics test	Must know Mongolian history and have understanding of the Constitution and laws
Processing time	6—18 months
Naturalization fee	MNT 100,000—500,000 (approximately USD 30—150)
Dual citizenship	Not permitted (with limited exception for ethnic Mongolians)
Citizenship by birth in Mongolia	Conditional — at least one parent must be Mongolian
Citizenship by descent	Children of Mongolian citizens acquire citizenship automatically
Governing law	Law on Citizenship of Mongolia, 1995 (as amended 2003, 2018)

Dual Citizenship

Mongolia generally does not permit dual citizenship. The 1995 Law on Citizenship and its amendments establish that a Mongolian citizen may not simultaneously hold the citizenship of another country.

Key provisions:

A Mongolian citizen who voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship loses Mongolian citizenship.
A foreign national who naturalizes as Mongolian must renounce all other nationalities.
The 2018 amendments introduced a limited exception for ethnic Mongolians (including Kazakhs and Buryats with Mongolian ethnic heritage) who hold foreign citizenship. They may apply for a special legal status that provides some rights similar to citizenship without formally holding dual nationality. This is not true dual citizenship but a recognition of the Mongolian diaspora.

Practical considerations:

Mongolia has a significant diaspora, particularly in South Korea, Japan, the United States, and other countries. The prohibition on dual citizenship is a subject of ongoing debate.
Enforcement varies, and some individuals are known to hold both Mongolian and foreign documents despite the legal prohibition.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli)

Mongolia does not apply unconditional jus soli. Birth in Mongolian territory alone does not confer citizenship.

Under the Citizenship Law:

A child born in Mongolia acquires Mongolian citizenship if at least one parent is a Mongolian citizen.
A child born in Mongolia to stateless parents who are permanent residents of Mongolia acquires Mongolian citizenship.
A child born in Mongolia to foreign parents does not acquire Mongolian citizenship.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

A child acquires Mongolian citizenship at birth if:

Both parents are Mongolian citizens (regardless of where the child is born).
One parent is a Mongolian citizen and the child is born in Mongolia.
One parent is a Mongolian citizen and the child is born abroad, provided the parents agree that the child will be a Mongolian citizen and register the birth at a Mongolian diplomatic mission.

The law provides gender-equal citizenship transmission.

By Adoption

A foreign child under 18 adopted by Mongolian citizens acquires Mongolian citizenship. The adoption must be legally recognized under Mongolian family law. If only one adoptive parent is Mongolian, the child may acquire citizenship upon the mutual request of the adopting parents.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Mongolian citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. A foreign spouse may apply for naturalization under the standard procedure, with no explicit reduced residency period. However, in practice, spousal applicants may receive favorable consideration.

By Naturalization

Requirement	Details
Age	18 years or older
Residence	5 years continuous lawful residence in Mongolia
Language	Must speak Mongolian sufficiently for everyday communication
Knowledge	Must know Mongolian history and understand the Constitution and basic laws
Income	Must have a lawful source of income or means of support
Tax compliance	Must have paid taxes and fulfilled financial obligations
Good character	No criminal record
Renunciation	Must renounce all foreign citizenships
Oath	Oath of allegiance to Mongolia
Approval	Granted by the President of Mongolia upon submission by the General Authority for State Registration

Special provision: A person who has made an outstanding contribution to Mongolia’s science, technology, culture, sports, economy, or national security may be granted citizenship by the President without meeting the standard residency requirement.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

A Mongolian citizen may renounce citizenship by submitting an application to the General Authority for State Registration. The renunciation is effective upon approval by the President. The applicant must hold or be assured of acquiring another nationality.

Restrictions: Renunciation may be denied if:

The applicant has unfulfilled military service obligations.
Criminal proceedings are pending against the applicant.
The applicant has unpaid tax debts or other state obligations.

Involuntary Loss

Ground	Details
Voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship	Results in loss of Mongolian citizenship
Fraud	Citizenship obtained through fraudulent documents, false information, or concealment of material facts may be revoked
Service in foreign military	Service in a foreign military or government without the permission of the Mongolian government

Restoration of Nationality

Former Mongolian citizens may apply for restoration of citizenship. The application is submitted to the General Authority for State Registration and decided by the President.

Requirements:

Must have renounced any foreign citizenship acquired.
Must be residing in Mongolia or demonstrate a genuine connection to the country.
Must meet the language and other requirements applicable to naturalization.
Must not have lost citizenship due to fraud.

The 2018 amendments facilitated restoration for ethnic Mongolians abroad, reflecting government interest in maintaining ties with the diaspora.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

Mongolia acceded to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Foundlings: A child found in Mongolian territory whose parents are unknown is presumed to be a Mongolian citizen until proven otherwise.
Stateless persons born in Mongolia: Children born in Mongolia to stateless parents who are permanent residents acquire Mongolian citizenship, consistent with Mongolia’s obligations under the 1961 Convention.
Statelessness prevention: Mongolia has been recognized by UNHCR for its efforts to address statelessness, including through birth registration campaigns in rural and nomadic communities.

Document Checklist

Completed citizenship application form (from General Authority for State Registration)

Birth certificate (certified and translated into Mongolian)

Valid passport or travel document

Proof of 5 years continuous lawful residence (residence permit records)

Marriage certificate (if applicable)

Police clearance certificate (from Mongolia and country of origin)

Tax compliance certificate from the General Department of Taxation

Medical certificate confirming good health

Proof of Mongolian language proficiency

Employment contract or proof of income

Passport-sized photographs (6 copies)

Renunciation certificate of foreign nationality

Completed Mongolian history and Constitution knowledge questionnaire

Sources

Law on Citizenship of Mongolia, 1995 — Primary nationality legislation, as amended in 2003 and 2018. Available through the Legal Info system of Mongolia. https://legalinfo.mn/
Constitution of Mongolia, 1992 — Article 15 on citizenship. https://www.legalinfo.mn/law/details/367
General Authority for State Registration — Responsible for citizenship registration. https://burtgel.gov.mn/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Mongolian diplomatic missions. https://www.mfa.gov.mn/
UNHCR Mongolia — Statelessness reporting and assistance. https://www.unhcr.org/mongolia

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