Cards issued by foreign banks cannot be used in Russia. https://payinrussia.com/ After you cross the Russian border, the everyday convenience you normally enjoy disappears: you cannot simply pay for your coffee, request a cab, or get admission to a museum. You need to look for a currency exchange bureau, carry cash with you, and cut back on impulse purchases.

A convenient solution is PayInRussia. This service enables foreign travelers to pay for purchases and services in Russia using their smartphones. You do not need cash or need to go to a bank.

What can you pay for?

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• taxi trips and delivery services;
  
• accommodation and flight tickets;
  
• cafes and dining establishments;
  
• shops and shopping centers;
  
• admission to museums and various events;
  
• orders placed with Russian online retailers and marketplaces.
  

How can you use it?

Register before your trip while you are still in your home country. To do this:

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• use your phone to scan 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.
  

Add funds to your balance using a card issued by a foreign bank or an eligible payment platform operating in a supported country before traveling to Russia.

Make payments for your purchases:

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• Offline: scan the QR code at the checkout. An internet connection via a Wi-Fi or cellular network must be available.
  
• For online payments: pay in online stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets straight from the mobile app.
  

Why is the service so useful?

PayInRussia has been designed especially for foreign travelers:

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• you are not required to be a Russian resident;
  
• you do not need to open an account at a Russian bank;
  
• you can avoid visiting banks or foreign exchange offices;
  
• you can sign up and fund your balance before you travel;
  
• you can pay conveniently through your smartphone;
  
• the service is suitable for both brief and long-term journeys.
  

How do you get started? It only takes three straightforward steps:

1. 
   
2. Download the app to your smartphone.
   
3. Fund your account using an international bank card.
   
4. Pay for purchases in Russia: open the 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.