Border Control Permit

Hi
I didn't do the route you mention but I was in Olgii last summer and had a border permit for trekking in Altai Tavan Bogd near the border. However I did meet people who came from Russia to Mongolia in Olgii.
To my understanding you wouldn't need a border permit just for traveling to the Russian border (I understand you want to cross into Russia?). Otherwise, if you plan to go hiking around Tashanta you may need one.

Anyway, border permits are given from the army and there is no need to go to the general office in UB. Once you get to Olgii you can either find your way to the local army headquarters (you can probably ask around or have someone help you) and there ask for a permit or you can go the tourist information which are very helpful and have them help you.
The permit is given for free, It is a piece or paper stating how many people you are, you details and the route you plan to take near the border with dates.
The woman working in the tourist information office is called Nazgul and she was very helpful to me. It is located very near the main square in Olgii.

Have a great trip and good luck
Yoni

Golanyoni is wrong! If you travel less than 50km to the border, you have to be registered at border defense and get permit. If you arrived to Mongolia through UB, you suppose to have one at UB legally!
Many tourists travelled to Olgi this summer couldn't have them at Olgi and had to travel to Tsagaan Nuur to apply the permit.
It is true that it is given for free.
But i have met some tourists got the permit at Olgi, and paid which is illegal!
Cause tourists don't have right information at all.

Are you planning to cross the border, if so I don't recall any reports of people needing a permit in this region.

BTW there is no public transport across the border and none on the Russian side once you cross the border. Even though you intend to use public transport, there is no reason that a travel agency in UB won't help you get the permit for a fee. Check with your guesthouse in UB for suggestions. Better to have the permit than to be refused permission to cross the border.

I think this thread has some reports: Russia Mongolia land borders thread

Ruth

Thank you for this information. We do now have permits obtained through a travel agency in UB. The cost to the agent was $10 US which gives us peace of mind.
Cheers

rubiconz - Thanks for the update. It would also be helpful to know where you obtained the permits and how long it took to receive them. TIA.

Ruth

YeeeHaa !!Just picked up our Russian transit visas.
Ruth, the permits were obtained from a travel agent next to the Aeroflot Building on Natsagdon Gudam (Seoul Street)
We left details one afternoon and the next morning were taken in a Toyota to the Government building where once again we were refused entry. Our agent was inside for more than an hour, and emerged with the paper he supplied endorsed by "The General". Our agent, a very nice man, has a web site www.discovermonnet.com The cost for his service was US$10 each for two of us. Good value considering his time and transport etc.
Cheers
David

Thanks. More questions.

What did you need to present to the consulate to get your Russian transit visas? What is your passport?

Ruth

Hi Ruth, We have New Zealand citizenship. For the Russian transit we (eventually) presented an actual train ticket from UB to Novisibirsk plus a piece of paper from the Railway Booking office. This had Departing from Moscow printed, but we crossed this out, and wrote "Novisibirsk" and destination "Almaty" in our own handwriting! It was then stamped by the Railways! So then with the Russian transit visas we flew to Khovd, a very packed minibus to Olgii, a private "taxi" to Toshugar spelling?(Russia) which actually dropped us at the border. Oooops! But we hitched a ride in a $WD Lexus to Toshugar, and picked up another ride in a fast car all the way to Goro.... (about 600Km) Next morning a bus to Brunaul followed by a train ride across the border to Alma-aty.
By the way, nobody ever asked for out hard won Border Permits. So we still have these and some unused rail tickets :-)
Cheers
David