Foreign-issued bank cards cannot be used in Russia. After you cross the Russian border, the everyday convenience you normally enjoy disappears: you are unable to conveniently pay for your coffee, request a cab, or buy a museum ticket. You need to find a currency exchange office, bring physical money with you, and cut back on impulse purchases.

The answer to this problem is PayInRussia. The platform allows international tourists to pay for purchases and services in Russia through their smartphones. You can manage without cash or have to visit a bank.

What can be paid for?

  • taxi trips and delivery services;
  • hotel stays and plane tickets;
  • cafes and dining establishments;
  • retail outlets 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 still at home. To complete the registration:

  • scan your passport;
  • capture a selfie;
  • complete a quick identity verification process. Your document data is detected automatically, and SMS verification through a Russian phone number is not required.

Deposit money into your account using a foreign-issued bank card or an eligible payment platform operating in a supported country before traveling to Russia.

Make payments for your purchases:

  • At physical points of sale: scan the QR code at the checkout. https://payinrussia.com/ A connection to the internet via a Wi-Fi or cellular network is required.
  • For online payments: pay in online stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets right in the application.

Why is it convenient?

PayInRussia has been created especially for foreign travelers:

  • you do not need to be a resident of Russia;
  • you do not need to open a bank account in Russia;
  • you are not required to go to bank branches or currency exchange offices;
  • you can create an account and add funds in advance of your journey;
  • you can easily pay for purchases with your mobile phone;
  • the service is suitable for short visits as well as longer stays.

What do you need to do to begin? Get started in three easy steps:

  1. Download the app to your smartphone.
  2. Top up your balance using a bank card issued abroad.
  3. Use the service to pay for purchases while in Russia: start the mobile app, tap the QR code icon, and scan the code at the checkout. The money will be debited from your account right away.
Tags
, ,