Quick answer: US passport holders can visit Mongolia without a visa for stays of under 90 days, but professional filming, reporting or paid work may need a different visa or accreditation, so confirm the route before you book. Camera gear can travel on a US-issued ATA Carnet from USCIB, Mongolia runs on 230 V power, and Ulaanbaatar is 12 to 16 hours ahead of the US depending on your coast and the season. We quote and invoice in US dollars and reply to every inquiry within 24 hours.
Mongolia is a long way from Los Angeles or New York, and that distance is exactly why US productions come: the Gobi, the steppe, the Altai and nomadic life look like nowhere else. This guide covers what is different when your crew, gear and money start in the United States, and links to our deeper guides for each step.
US crews in Mongolia at a glance
| Topic | What US crews need to know |
|---|---|
| Entry | Visa-free for US passports for stays under 90 days; register with immigration within 7 days if staying more than 30 days. Professional filming or reporting may need a journalist visa or other category. |
| Equipment | Bring gear on an ATA Carnet issued by USCIB, or rent locally in Ulaanbaatar to avoid freight and customs time. |
| Power | 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F sockets. Most camera and laptop chargers are 100–240 V and only need a plug adapter. |
| Time difference | Ulaanbaatar is UTC+8 all year, with no daylight saving: 12 hours ahead of New York in summer, 13 in winter; 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles in summer, 16 in winter. |
| Getting there | No nonstop flights from the US. Most crews connect through Seoul (Incheon), with Tokyo another common hub. |
| Money | Quotes and invoices in US dollars, paid by international bank transfer. |
| Incentive | Cash rebate of up to 45% on qualifying spend for productions spending at least USD 500,000 in Mongolia. |
Entry and visas for US passport holders
According to the Mongolian Consulate General in Chicago, US citizens can enter Mongolia visa-free for stays of less than 90 days, and anyone staying more than 30 days must register with the Immigration Authority of Mongolia within 7 days of arrival. Longer stays need a visa approved in advance by the Immigration Authority in Ulaanbaatar.
Visa-free entry is not automatically the right route for a production. News crews, documentary teams and other media professionals may need a journalist visa or accreditation, and paid work can fall under other categories. The correct route depends on what you are filming, who is traveling and who is commissioning the work. Read our journalist visa guide and check current categories on Mongolia’s e-consular service, en.consul.mn, before booking flights. Filming permissions are a separate step, covered in our filming permit guide.
Bringing camera gear from the US
For equipment that comes in and goes back out, an ATA Carnet is the cleanest route. In the US, carnets are issued by the U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB), which lists Mongolia as accepting carnets for professional equipment. On the Mongolian side, the carnet contact is the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Match every serial number on the carnet to the cases you actually ship, and allow time at Chinggis Khaan International Airport for inspection. Our customs clearance guide walks through the paperwork.
Many US crews cut weight by flying with cameras and lenses only, then renting grip, lighting, power and vehicles locally. See our camera rental guide and the rate card on our services page to see what is available in Ulaanbaatar.
Power and charging
Mongolia uses 230 V at 50 Hz with Type C and Type F sockets. Check the label on every charger: anything marked 100–240 V only needs a plug adapter, but 110 V-only items such as some US lights or battery stations need a step-down transformer. Outside towns, power comes from generators, solar kits and vehicle inverters, so plan battery capacity for remote days. Our remote logistics guide covers field power.
Time zones and working hours
Ulaanbaatar is on UTC+8 all year and does not change clocks. When it is 8 am in New York during US summer time, it is 8 pm the same day in Ulaanbaatar; in winter the gap grows by an hour. For Los Angeles, the gap is 15 hours in summer and 16 in winter. In practice, US mornings overlap with Mongolian evenings, which is when prep calls work best. Email us at any time: we reply within 24 hours.
Getting there and moving around
There are no nonstop flights between the US and Mongolia. Most American crews connect through Seoul (Incheon), and Tokyo is another common hub, so plan on a full day of travel and possible overnight connections, especially with checked equipment. Once in Mongolia, distances are large and roads outside cities can be slow: build travel days into the schedule and see our filming seasons guide for the weather windows that suit your shoot.
Budget, payment and the film rebate
We quote and invoice in US dollars and are paid by international bank transfer, so your accounting team does not have to deal with local currency. Larger productions should look at Mongolia’s cash rebate: up to 45% back on qualifying spend for productions spending at least USD 500,000 in the country. Our film rebate guide explains eligibility, and our production budget guide covers what a realistic Mongolia budget includes.
Drones and insurance
FAA Part 107 certification does not carry over: commercial drone work in Mongolia needs its own approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia. Read our drone filming guide before you pack a drone. US production insurance policies also need to cover Mongolia explicitly, including remote locations and equipment in transit; our insurance guide lists what underwriters usually ask for.
Working with OnVelvet Mongolia from the US
We are a 100% Mongolian team based in Ulaanbaatar, working in English, French, Italian and Korean as well as Mongolian, with more than 20 years of supporting international crews. Clients include brands and institutions such as New Balance and the World Bank. Send us your dates, locations and crew size, and we will come back within 24 hours with a plan and a quote in US dollars. Contact us or read the complete production guide first.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa to film in Mongolia?
US passport holders can visit visa-free for under 90 days, but professional filming, reporting or paid work may need a journalist visa or another category. Confirm the route for your project on en.consul.mn and with your local production partner before booking.
Can I use a US ATA Carnet in Mongolia?
Yes. USCIB, the US carnet issuer, lists Mongolia as accepting carnets for professional equipment. Make sure every serial number on the carnet matches the gear you ship.
Can I pay a Mongolian production company in US dollars?
Yes. We quote and invoice in US dollars, paid by international bank transfer.
Sources
- Consulate General of Mongolia in Chicago: visa information for US citizens
- USCIB: ATA Carnet country information, Mongolia
- World Standards: plugs and voltage in Mongolia
Planning a shoot in Mongolia?
OnVelvet Mongolia has supported international productions for more than 20 years. See our fixer and production services, or send your dates and locations and we reply within 24 hours.