Cards issued by foreign banks are not accepted in Russia. As soon as you enter the country, the everyday convenience you normally enjoy disappears: you cannot simply purchase a cup of coffee, request a cab, or buy a museum ticket. You are forced to search for a place to exchange money, bring physical money with you, and avoid unplanned spending.

The answer to this problem is PayInRussia. This payment service allows foreign travelers to pay for purchases and services in Russia through their smartphones. You do not need cash or visit a bank branch.

What can you pay for?

 

 

• taxi trips and delivery services;

 

 

• accommodation and flight tickets;

 

 

• coffee shops and restaurants;

 

 

• stores and shopping malls;

 

 

• museum and event tickets;

 

 

• orders placed with Russian online retailers and marketplaces.

 

 

How does the service work?

Sign up before your journey while you are still at home. To do this:

 

 

• scan your passport;

 

 

• take a photo of yourself;

 

 

• complete a quick identity verification process. Your document data is processed automatically, and SMS verification through a Russian phone number is not required.

 

 

Deposit money into your account using a card issued by a foreign bank or an eligible payment platform operating in a supported country before you arrive in Russia.

Pay for your purchases:

 

 

• At physical points of sale: scan the checkout QR code. https://payinrussia.com A connection to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data is necessary.

 

 

• Online: pay in online stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets right in the application.

 

 

Why is the service so useful?

PayInRussia was developed with overseas visitors in mind:

 

 

• you do not need to be a resident of the Russian Federation;

 

 

• you do not have to set up an account at a Russian bank;

 

 

• you are not required to go to bank offices or currency exchange bureaus;

 

 

• you can sign up and fund your balance in advance of your journey;

 

 

• you can easily pay for purchases through your smartphone;

 

 

• the service is ideal for short visits as well as longer stays.

 

 

How can you start using the service? Get started in three easy steps:

 

 

1. Install the application to your smartphone.

 

 

2. Add money to your balance using an international bank card.

 

 

3. Use the service to pay for purchases while in Russia: start the mobile app, select the QR code symbol, and scan the code at the checkout. The money will be debited from your account right away.