Foreign-issued bank cards are not accepted in Russia. As soon as you enter the country, the convenience you are used to is no longer available: you cannot simply pay for your coffee, request a cab, or purchase a ticket to a museum. You have to find a currency exchange office, keep cash on hand, and avoid unplanned spending.

The answer to this problem is PayInRussia. https://payinrussia.com/ This payment service helps visitors from other countries 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.

Which purchases and services can you pay for?

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• taxi trips and delivery services;
  
• hotel stays and plane tickets;
  
• cafes and dining establishments;
  
• retail outlets and shopping centers;
  
• admission to museums and various events;
  
• orders from Russian online stores and marketplaces.
  

How can you use it?

Register before your trip while you are in your country of residence. To do this:

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• upload a scan of your passport;
  
• take a photo of yourself;
  
• complete a quick identity verification process. Your personal details is detected automatically, and SMS verification through a Russian phone number is not required.
  

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

Pay for your purchases:

• 
  
• Offline: use your phone to scan the QR code at the checkout. An internet connection via Wi-Fi or a mobile network is required.
  
• Online: make purchases from online shops and make hotel reservations and buy tickets right in the application.
  

What makes it convenient?

PayInRussia has been created especially for foreign travelers:

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• you do not need to be a resident of Russia;
  
• you do not need to open a bank account in Russia;
  
• you can avoid visiting bank branches or currency exchange offices;
  
• you can create an account and add funds before you travel;
  
• you can make convenient payments through your smartphone;
  
• the service is convenient for short visits as well as longer stays.
  

How can you start using the service? It only takes three straightforward steps:

1. 
   
2. Get the mobile app on your smartphone.
   
3. Top up your balance using a bank card issued abroad.
   
4. Pay for purchases in Russia: launch the application, press the QR payment icon, and use your camera to scan the code at the payment terminal. The money will be debited from your account right away.