Foreign-issued bank cards cannot be used in Russia. As soon as you enter the country, the convenience you are used to is no longer available: you are unable to conveniently purchase a cup of coffee, request a cab, or get admission to a museum. You have to look for a currency exchange bureau, keep cash on hand, and cut back on impulse purchases.

The answer to this problem is PayInRussia. The platform helps foreign travelers to make payments for products and services in Russia with their mobile phones. https://payinrussia.com You do not need cash or need to go to a bank.

What can be paid for?

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• taxi rides and delivery services;
  
• hotels and airline tickets;
  
• cafés and restaurants;
  
• stores and shopping malls;
  
• tickets to museums and events;
  
• purchases from Russian e-commerce stores and marketplaces.
  

How does the service work?

Create your account before traveling while you are in your country of residence. To do this:

• 
  
• upload a scan of your passport;
  
• capture a selfie;
  
• go through a fast identity verification procedure. Your document data is recognized automatically, and you do not need to receive text messages on a Russian phone number.
  

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

Make payments for your purchases:

• 
  
• In physical locations: scan the QR code at the checkout. Internet access via Wi-Fi or mobile data is necessary.
  
• On the internet: pay for orders in e-commerce stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets directly through the app.
  

What makes it convenient?

PayInRussia has been created with overseas visitors in mind:

• 
  
• you do not need to be a Russian resident;
  
• you do not have to set up a bank account in Russia;
  
• you can avoid visiting bank branches or currency exchange offices;
  
• you can create an account and add funds before your trip;
  
• you can easily pay for purchases through your smartphone;
  
• the service is suitable for both brief and long-term journeys.
  

What do you need to do to begin? It only takes three straightforward 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: launch the application, 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.