Once a great empire spanning from the Korean Peninsula to Eastern Europe, Mongolia is now one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Landlocked between two giants — China and Russia — Mongolia is a too-often overlooked TEFL destination. 

Despite a low English proficiency score, English has surpassed Russian as the most spoken foreign language in Mongolia (especially among the younger generation), and demand keeps growing. Read on for The TEFL Org’s guide on teaching English in Mongolia, from the job types, requirements, visa, salary, and more.

Key Takeaways

• The demand for English is increasing; English has surpassed Russian as the most spoken foreign language in Mongolia. 
• Many jobs come through volunteering, but paid teaching jobs exist in private language centres and international schools.
• Most TEFL jobs can be found in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, but volunteer roles exist in rural areas too. 
• Monthly salaries for English teachers at private language centres Mongolia range from ₮1.7–₮5.36 million ($500–$1,500 / £370–£1,110)per month, or up to ₮9 million ($2,500 / £1,890) at international schools.
• Teachers need a HG visa to work in Mongolia; volunteers typically enter on a tourist visa if volunteering for less than 30 days

Requirements for Teaching English in Mongolia

The requirements for teaching English in Mongolia vary according to your teaching job preference, financial incentives, and ambition.

Do I need a TEFL certification to teach English in Mongolia?

Yes, you need a TEFL certification to teach English in Mongolia if you want a full-time paid teaching job. A 120 hour TEFL certificate is generally the minimum requirement to find paid teaching work, but low-entry volunteer roles also exist in more rural areas.

Tip: Teaching English in Mongolia can be competitive, consider the TEFL Org’s advanced courses to specialise in a niche and diversify your skillset in the classroom.

Can I teach English in Mongolia without a degree??

You need a bachelor’s degree to teach English in Mongolia on the correct working visa. If you want to teach in Mongolia without a degree, you might be able to apply to volunteer roles that have more relaxed requirements. However, even if you don't have a degree you can still find paid teaching work in other Asian countries (like Cambodia).

Do I need teaching experience to teach in Mongolia?

You don’t need teaching experience to teach in Mongolia if you have a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree. However, reputable and higher paying schools such as international schools prefer TEFL teachers with previous teaching experience.

Visa requirements for teaching in Mongolia

To teach English in Mongolia legally, you’ll need a work visa, known as the HG visa. Your school or employer must also sponsor you by obtaining your pre-work permit and visa permission code from the General Authority for Labor and Social Welfare. 

Once you’ve got an invitation letter, you can apply for the HG visa at your local Mongolian consulate/embassy. After this, the teacher must obtain an Alien Card registration within 21 days of arrival in the country. 

To qualify for the HG visa and work permit, you’ll need the following: 

• Proof of employment contract from a Mongolian employer
• Completed application form 
• Invitation letter approved by the Immigration Agency of Mongolia 
• Clear criminal background check

Sponsoring visas can be expensive, and some Mongolian schools may encourage teachers to enter on a tourist visa to work, which is illegal and can lead to fines or deportation. 

For volunteer programmes, you can work unpaid on a tourist visa or visa exemption in Mongolia for less than 30 days. Anything longer requires a residence permit.  

Important: Immigration rules can change; be sure to check the official Mongolia government website for updated rules. The information above is not intended as legal or visa advice. 

Salary and Cost of Living

Teaching salaries and cost of living are always a consideration for most teachers. Here’s everything you need to know about how much you’ll earn, spend, and save as a teacher in Mongolia.

How much can you earn teaching English in Mongolia?

Beyond volunteers, English teachers in Mongolia earn an average monthly salary of around ₮1.7–₮5.36 million ($500–$1,500 / £370–£1,110)per month. 

Lower salary roles come in the form of public school jobs, whereas private language schools, universities, or international schools offer higher salaries. Teachers working at elite international schools in Ulaanbaatar can earn as much as ₮9 million ($2,500 / £1,890) per month. Specialising in a niche like business English can make you highly sought after, especially in Ulaanbaatar.

How much does it cost to live in Mongolia?

The average person spends around ₮2 million ($575 / £425) per month living in Mongolia, excluding rent. Rent in the capital Ulaanbaatar ranges from around $400–$500 per month, taking total monthly living costs to around ₮4 million ($1,100–£815).

However, this varies according to your teaching job and lifestyle. Here’s how you can minimise living costs as a teacher in Mongolia:

• Consider your job type: Are you planning a teaching career in Mongolia or short-term work? Volunteer programmes can be more cost-effective upfront, often including accommodation (usually homestays) and meals within the programme fee.
• Look for job perks: When applying for roles, check what’s included. Some teaching positions offer benefits like health insurance, accommodation, or flight reimbursement, though these are more common in higher-end international school roles.
• Choose shared housing: Renting with other teachers or expats is one of the easiest ways to reduce living costs, especially in Ulaanbaatar where rents can vary.
• Eat local food: Traditional Mongolian dishes at local eateries cost around ₮19,000 ($5 / £3.70). Khorkhog (Mongolian barbeque), noodle soups, and steamed dumplings are affordable delights. Vegetarians may struggle with Mongolia’s meat-heavy food culture.
• Prepare for winter costs: Winter can be harsh in Mongolia, significantly increasing your heating bills. Prepare in advance by buying warm clothes during the warmer season!