Foreign-issued bank cards cannot be used in Russia. Once you cross the border, your usual payment convenience disappears: you are unable to conveniently pay for your coffee, book a taxi, or purchase a ticket to a museum. You need to find a currency exchange office, keep cash on hand, and cut back on impulse purchases.

A convenient solution is PayInRussia. This payment service enables international tourists to make payments for products and services in Russia using their smartphones. https://payinrussia.com/ You can manage without cash or visit a bank branch.

What can be paid for?

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• taxi trips and delivery services;
  
• hotel stays and plane 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 get started:

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• upload a scan of your passport;
  
• capture a selfie;
  
• complete a brief identity check. Your document data is recognized automatically, and SMS verification through a Russian phone number is not required.
  

Deposit money into your account using a bank card issued outside Russia or a payment service available in a supported country before traveling to Russia.

Make payments for your purchases:

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• At physical points of sale: scan the checkout QR code. An internet connection via Wi-Fi or a mobile network must be available.
  
• For online payments: pay for orders in e-commerce stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets directly through the app.
  

What makes it convenient?

PayInRussia was developed with overseas visitors in mind:

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• you do not need to be a resident of the Russian Federation;
  
• you do not need to open an account with a Russian bank;
  
• you do not have to visit banks or foreign exchange offices;
  
• you can register and top up your balance before you travel;
  
• you can make convenient payments using your smartphone;
  
• the service is ideal for both short and extended trips.
  

What do you need to do to begin? It only takes three straightforward steps:

1. 
   
2. Install the application to your smartphone.
   
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, press the QR payment icon, and scan the code at the checkout. The money will be debited from your account right away.