Foreign-issued bank cards do not work in Russia. As soon as you enter the country, the everyday convenience you normally enjoy disappears: you are unable to conveniently pay for coffee, order a taxi, or purchase a ticket to a museum. You need to find a currency exchange office, bring physical money with you, and limit spontaneous purchases.

A convenient solution is PayInRussia. This service enables international tourists to pay for purchases and services in Russia with their mobile phones. https://payinrussia.com You do not need cash or visit a bank branch.

Which purchases and services can you pay for?

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• taxi rides and delivery services;
  
• hotels and airline tickets;
  
• cafés and restaurants;
  
• shops and shopping centers;
  
• tickets to museums and events;
  
• purchases from Russian e-commerce stores and marketplaces.
  

How does it work?

Sign up before your journey while you are in your country of residence. To complete the registration:

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• upload a scan of your passport;
  
• take a selfie;
  
• go through a fast identity verification procedure. Your document data is processed automatically, and you do not need to receive text messages on a Russian phone number.
  

Top up your balance using a bank card issued outside Russia or a payment service available in a supported country before you arrive in Russia.

Make payments for your purchases:

• 
  
• In physical locations: use your phone to scan the QR code at the checkout. A connection to the internet via a Wi-Fi or cellular network is required.
  
• For online payments: pay in online stores and book hotels and tickets straight from the mobile app.
  

Why is the service so useful?

PayInRussia was developed especially for foreign travelers:

• 
  
• you do not have to become a Russian resident;
  
• 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 in advance of your journey;
  
• you can pay conveniently through your smartphone;
  
• the service is convenient for short visits as well as longer stays.
  

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

1. 
   
2. Get the mobile app on your mobile phone.
   
3. Add money to your balance using an internationally issued bank card.
   
4. Use the service to pay for purchases while in Russia: open the app, select the QR code symbol, and use your camera to scan the code at the payment terminal. The money will be deducted from your balance immediately.