Why is a visa required for Australians visiting Mongolia?
Australian citizens require a visa to visit Mongolia. A number of other countries don't require a visa - some western countries, Asian countries, even Cuba and Israel. Why isn't Australia one of them?
If this can't be answered, I'd like to know how visa-free statuses are decided - is it typically done unilaterally, or as the result of bilateral/multilateral agreements?
Best Answer
It simply means that the governments of the two countries haven't arranged this yet. Often visa-free is bilateral - especially when done with a trade deal, but sometimes not. For example, Aussies can get a tourist visa for the UK on arrival, but UK citizens need one (an ETA) in advance to visit Australia! (at least, last I checked).
By default, most countries require you to have a visa. Then as agreements are struck up, or they see it as financially viable to allow tourists in (cough Bhutan cough), they may start making it easier or cheaper for those specific groups to enter.
Often it's to nurture growth and relationships with neighbouring countries. For example, Mongolia has offered visa-free access to a few of the 'stan countries since the 1990s!
Interestingly, Mongolia grants visa free access (of varying lengths) to 46 countries and/or territories.
Comparing the visa policy of Mongolia and these 46 countries with the page on visa requirements for Mongolian citizens you can see how much of it is reciprocal!
So it's more a case of not why Australians need visas, but why Australia hasn't yet gotten to a more open relationship with Mongolia. Perhaps they're focusing on other countries first. But the good news is the world is opening up, and it's more and more likely to change. Keep the fingers crossed
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Do Australians need visa for Mongolia?
Australian nationals eligibile for Mongolian e-visaAustralian nationals are now eligible to apply for a Mongolian e-visa through evisa.mn/main. Applicants for an e-visa are no longer required to visit the Mongolian Embassy in Canberra and will receive their e-visa by email.Can you go to Mongolia without a visa?
Tourism & Business Travel: You do not need a visa if visiting for fewer than 90 days, but your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival. For stays of more than 30 days, you must register with Mongolian Immigration within seven days of arrival.Which countries can enter Mongolia without visa?
Visa free countries\u2116CountryTravel termsCountries that granted visa-free entry for Mongolian nationals holding diplomatic or official passports1Democratic People's Republic of KoreaUp to 90 days2BulgariaUp to 30 days3VietnamUp to 90 days50 more rowsHow many countries can Australian visit without visa?
The Australian passport currently ranks on the 8th place according to the Guide Passport Ranking Index. It provides visa-free access to 189 countries.20 Things to Know Before Going to Mongolia
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Images: Nataliya Vaitkevich, Ketut Subiyanto, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions