Tourist Visa for Mongolia - interview necessary?

Hello all.

A friend of mine meant to be travelling to Mongolia with me in a few weeks is having a hell of a time getting a visa from the embassy in Beijing - he currently lives in Shanghai and has been trying to use a travel agency there to apply for him but none will process a Mongolian visa. We are flying, with only limited days off for the Oct 1st holiday, so stopping in Beijing direcly before the trip is not an option.

I've checked all the posts on this site about getting visas, and it seems pretty dificult for everyone. Now, after contacting Ocean Travel in Beijing, they are saying my friend (Croatian passport) has to go to Beijing for an interview, even for just a 2 week tourist visa, as this is apparently the new standard for issuing visas for all citizens.

So, my questions are:

1) Has anyone else heard of this? The website for the Mongolian embassy in Beijing doesn't make any mention of this new policy. Is it possible the travel agency is mistaken?

2)Does anyone have any experience applying for a Mongolia visa successfully from Shanghai? Any other travel agencies to recommend? How about using the consulate in Hong Kong?

3) How long does it take to get the visa, because I will be arriving in Beijing 2 days before him and can, possibly apply for him. Is that enough time? Again, the website says one week but that is always variable and I'm just wondering if anyone has applied recently and knows how long it really takes.

Any information would be greatly appreicated as my friend is going crazy and doesn't know what to do because he can't get off work to go to Beijing to do an interview.

Thank you in advance for all responses,

Alec

1. It is possible that the agency is mistaken but why would they make such a mistake. More likely it might be the policy for Croatian passport holders.

2. Since most people pass through Beijing on their way to Mongolia, they get their visa there. Why not contact agencies in HK and ask them. Try MonkeyShrine. They are likely to be expensive but they work with people who plan to travel the transmongolian route and need visas for China, Mongolia and Russia.

3. A month ago someone with a Czech passport obtaining the visa in Beijing indicated that "applications are received 8:30-11:00 am, and collection is next day afternoon 16:00-17:00"

If you are flying into UB have you checked into the possibility of visa on arrival since I doubt that there is a Mongolian embassy in Zagreb. Many countries offer this option when there is no embassy in the country of the passport holder.

Ruth

Here is another report from June 2009:
I went to the embassy this morning. Visa section is open from 8.30 until 11.00. You need one application form, one photo and a copy of passport. Some people didn't have passport copy and their applications were not collected. There were people from different countries applying and nobody was asked for an invitation letter.
The price list on the wall says 495Y for 1 day service and 275Y for 5-day service. But some people asked for 5-day service and were refused. They were told it's only available for Chinese, not for foreigners. All foreigners can only go for 1-day service.
Visa can be collected next day between 4 and 5pm. You pay at the Bank of China branch nearby.

Ruth

Thank you very much for you help and information! I actually just came back from Mongolia and had a wonderful time! Thank you again,

Alec