Doing Business in Mongolia (2025): Key Government Portals, Policies, and Practical Steps

This guide summarizes the official channels and operational steps foreign companies need when establishing or running activities in Mongolia in 2025. It focuses on company registration, tax filing, labor compliance, visa/work permits and highlights policy trends to monitor. Use official government websites (most end with ".gov.mn" or ".mn") and seek local counsel for final confirmation.

Official portals and how to find them

Key Mongolia policy trends to watch in 2025

• Digitalization of business services: continued rollout of e‑registration and e‑tax filing platforms—expect faster online company formation and electronic tax reporting.
• Tax administration updates: stronger electronic invoicing and real-time reporting capabilities in some sectors; monitor guidance from the tax authority for compliance deadlines.
• Anti‑money laundering (AML) and beneficial ownership transparency: increasing requirements to disclose ultimate beneficiaries when registering entities.
• Labor market adjustments: reforms to accommodate remote work, fixed‑term contracts and clearer rules for social insurance contributions.
• Visa and mobility measures: pilot programs for targeted foreign specialists and faster processing for investment-linked visas may be expanded—always verify consular announcements.

Note: These are policy directions commonly observed across jurisdictions and reflected in official Mongolian initiatives through 2024–early 2025. Confirm any specific legal changes directly on the portals listed above.

Step-by-step: Registering and operating a foreign company in Mongolia

1. Pre-launch preparations

1. Decide the legal form (subsidiary, branch, representative office, LLC or joint venture) based on commercial objectives and tax implications.
2. Prepare foundational documents: articles/charter, shareholder resolutions, power of attorney, notarized and legalized copies of foreign corporate documents (apostille or embassy legalization depending on requirement).
3. Reserve trade name and check IP/trademark conflicts via the IP office if branding is important.

2. Company registration (typical operational steps)

1. File incorporation application with the state registration authority. Many filings are now accepted electronically; confirm required attachments and translations into Mongolian.
2. Obtain a registration certificate and company ID. Register for a tax identification number (TIN) at the tax authority.
3. Open a local bank account using company registration documents; banks often require proof of beneficial owners and KYC documentation.

3. Tax registration and first filings

1. Register for corporate income tax, VAT (if applicable), payroll tax and for electronic reporting portals.
2. Understand tax periods and invoicing rules. Set up bookkeeping aligned with Mongolian reporting standards and any required e‑invoicing systems.
3. Plan for the first VAT and corporate tax returns; consult a local tax advisor for applicable incentives or sectoral tax treatments (e.g., mining, services).

4. Hiring and labor compliance

1. Draft employment contracts that reflect Mongolian labor code requirements (working hours, leave, termination terms, probation clauses if allowed).
2. Register employees for social insurance and health contributions according to timelines in law.
3. If hiring foreign nationals, obtain work permits and coordinate visa processing with immigration authorities before the employee commences work.

5. Ongoing compliance

1. Maintain accurate payroll records, submit periodic tax and social insurance filings, and file annual financial statements.
2. Hold required shareholder and board meetings, and update the commercial registry for any changes in directors or ownership.

Illustrative cases

Case A: European tech firm opens a Ulaanbaatar representative office

Steps taken: reserved a trade name; prepared notarized parent company documents and translated them; registered a representative office with the state registration authority; registered the representative office for limited tax obligations and obtained local contact details. Precautions: representative offices often cannot engage in direct commercial sales—choose a subsidiary if revenue‑generating activities are intended.

Case B: Singapore engineering company hires Mongolian and expatriate staff

Steps taken: set up an LLC, obtained TIN and VAT registration, executed local employment contracts aligned with labor law, registered employees for social insurance, and applied for work permits for two expatriate engineers via the immigration authority. Precautions: ensure correct work permit category, allow extra time for visa issuance, and budget for social contribution rates.

Checklist and typical timeline

Key precautions

• Always verify current procedures on official government portals or through the local embassy—procedures and fees can change rapidly.
• Prepare for translations and legalizations: many authorities require Mongolian translations and notarized/legalized originals.
• Clarify the permitted activities of the chosen entity type (e.g., representative office vs. subsidiary) before committing to structure.
• Maintain clear beneficial ownership records to meet AML and transparency rules.
• Budget for local compliance costs (tax advisory, payroll administration, social insurance) and time for administrative steps.
• When hiring expatriates, start visa and work permit processes early to avoid delays to project timelines.

For offshore HR, relocation and permit support, consider services from SailGlobal to assist with work permits and local onboarding.

Where to go for verification and help

Start with the official portals (look for ".gov.mn" or authenticated ministry sites), consult a licensed local law or tax firm for binding advice, and coordinate with the local bank and immigration office for operational matters. When in doubt, contact the relevant ministry or the nearest Mongolian consulate for consular and visa clarifications.

Additional resources: keep an eye on official press releases from the Ministry of Finance, the tax authority and the immigration agency during 2025 for policy updates. Local professional firms and chambers of commerce often publish practical checklists and case notes that reflect recent administrative practice.