Foreign-issued bank cards are not accepted in Russia. After you cross the Russian border, the convenience you are used to disappears: you cannot simply pay for coffee, book a taxi, or purchase a ticket to a museum. You have to search for a place to exchange money, bring physical money with you, and cut back on impulse purchases.

A convenient solution is PayInRussia. This service allows foreign travelers to make payments for products and services in Russia with their mobile phones. You do not have to carry cash or visit a bank branch.

What can be paid for?

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• taxi trips and delivery services;
  
• hotels and airline tickets;
  
• cafes and dining establishments;
  
• shops and shopping centers;
  
• museum and event tickets;
  
• orders from Russian online stores and marketplaces.
  

How does the service work?

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

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• use your phone to scan your passport;
  
• take a selfie;
  
• go through a fast identity verification procedure. Your information is detected automatically, and SMS verification through a Russian phone number is not required.
  

Add funds to your balance using a foreign-issued bank card or a supported international payment service before traveling to Russia.

Use the service to pay for purchases:

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• In physical locations: scan the QR code at the checkout. Internet access via Wi-Fi or a mobile network is required.
  
• Online: make purchases from online shops and book hotels and tickets straight from the mobile app.
  

What makes it convenient?

PayInRussia has been designed with overseas visitors in mind:

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• you do not need to be a Russian resident;
  
• you are not required to open a bank account in Russia;
  
• you do not have to visit banks or foreign exchange offices;
  
• you can create an account and add funds in advance of your journey;
  
• you can pay conveniently using your smartphone;
  
• the service is suitable for both brief and long-term journeys.
  

How do you get started? Get started in three easy steps:

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