Cards issued by foreign banks do not work in Russia. After you cross the Russian border, your usual payment convenience disappears: you are unable to conveniently pay for coffee, request a cab, or get admission to a museum. 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 enables international tourists to make payments for products and services in Russia with their mobile phones. You do not need cash or visit a bank branch.
Which purchases and services can you pay for?
- taxi trips and delivery services;
- hotel stays and plane 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?
Register before your trip while you are still in your home country. To get started:
- use your phone to scan your passport;
- capture a selfie;
- complete a brief identity check. https://payinrussia.com/ Your information is detected automatically, and no text messages sent to a Russian phone number are required.
Add funds to your balance using a bank card issued outside Russia or a payment service available in a supported country before traveling to Russia.
Use the service to pay for purchases:
- At physical points of sale: use your phone to scan the QR code at the checkout. Internet access via Wi-Fi or mobile data must be available.
- For online payments: pay in online stores and book hotels and tickets straight from the mobile app.
Why is it convenient?
PayInRussia has been designed specifically for international tourists:
- you do not need to be a resident of the Russian Federation;
- you are not required to open an account at a Russian bank;
- you are not required to go to bank offices or currency exchange bureaus;
- you can register and top up your balance in advance of your journey;
- you can easily pay for purchases with your mobile phone;
- the service is suitable for both short and extended trips.
What do you need to do to begin? Get started in three easy steps:
- Install the application on your smartphone.
- Fund your account using a bank card issued abroad.
- Use the service to pay for purchases while in Russia: start the mobile app, tap the QR code icon, and use your camera to scan the code at the payment terminal. The money will be debited from your account right away.