Bank cards issued outside Russia are not accepted in Russia. After you cross the Russian border, the everyday convenience you normally enjoy disappears: you cannot simply pay for your coffee, book a taxi, or buy a museum ticket. You are forced to find a currency exchange office, keep cash on hand, and avoid unplanned spending.

A convenient solution is PayInRussia. https://payinrussia.com The platform allows international tourists to pay for purchases and services in Russia with their mobile phones. You can manage without cash or have to visit a bank.

What can be paid for?

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• taxi rides and delivery services;
  
• accommodation and flight tickets;
  
• cafés and restaurants;
  
• stores and shopping malls;
  
• museum and event tickets;
  
• 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 do this:

• 
  
• upload a scan of your passport;
  
• capture a selfie;
  
• complete a quick identity verification process. Your document data is detected automatically, and you do not need to receive text messages on a Russian phone number.
  

Top up your balance using a foreign-issued bank card or an eligible payment platform operating in a supported country before traveling to Russia.

Pay for your purchases:

• 
  
• In physical locations: scan the checkout QR code. A connection to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data is necessary.
  
• Online: make purchases from online shops and make hotel reservations and buy tickets directly through the app.
  

What makes it convenient?

PayInRussia was developed with overseas visitors in mind:

• 
  
• 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 can avoid visiting banks or foreign exchange offices;
  
• you can sign up and fund your balance in advance of your journey;
  
• you can pay conveniently through your smartphone;
  
• the service is ideal for both short and extended trips.
  

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

1. 
   
2. Download the app on your smartphone.
   
3. Add money to your balance using an international bank card.
   
4. Use the service to pay for purchases while 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 The money will be withdrawn from your balance instantly.