Bank cards issued outside Russia are not accepted in Russia. Once you cross the border, the everyday convenience you normally enjoy is no longer available: you cannot simply pay for coffee, order a taxi, or buy a museum ticket. You have to search for a place to exchange money, bring physical money with you, and avoid unplanned spending.
The solution is PayInRussia. The platform helps foreign travelers to pay for purchases and services in Russia with their mobile phones. You can manage without cash or visit a bank branch.
Which purchases and services can you pay for?
- cab rides and courier deliveries;
- hotels and airline tickets;
- coffee shops and restaurants;
- stores and shopping malls;
- tickets to museums and events;
- 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:
- use your phone to scan your passport;
- take a photo of yourself;
- complete a quick identity verification process. Your information is recognized automatically, and you do not need to receive text messages on a Russian phone number.
Deposit money into your account using a bank card issued outside Russia or a payment service available in a supported country before you arrive in Russia.
Pay for your purchases:
- At physical points of sale: use your phone to scan the QR code at the checkout. A connection to the internet via a Wi-Fi or cellular network is necessary.
- On the internet: make purchases from online shops and make hotel reservations and buy tickets directly through the app.
Why is the service so useful?
PayInRussia was developed specifically for international tourists:
- you are not required to be a resident of the Russian Federation;
- you do not have to set up a bank account in Russia;
- you are not required to go to banks or foreign exchange offices;
- you can register and top up your balance before your trip;
- you can easily pay for purchases with your mobile phone;
- the service is ideal for short visits as well as longer stays.
What do you need to do to begin? Get started in three easy steps:
- Download the app to your smartphone.
- Top up your balance using an internationally issued bank card.
- Make payments for goods and services in Russia: launch the application, tap the QR code icon, and scan the code at the checkout. https://payinrussia.com/ The money will be withdrawn from your balance instantly.