Bank cards issued outside Russia do not work in Russia. After you cross the Russian border, your usual payment convenience is no longer available: you can no longer easily purchase a cup of coffee, order a taxi, or get admission to a museum. You have to find a currency exchange office, carry cash with you, and limit spontaneous purchases.

The answer to this problem is PayInRussia. The platform helps visitors from other countries to pay for goods and services in Russia using their smartphones. 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;
  
• hotels and airline tickets;
  
• cafés and restaurants;
  
• 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 do this:

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• use your phone to scan your passport;
  
• take a photo of yourself;
  
• go through a fast identity verification procedure. Your information is recognized automatically, and no text messages sent to a Russian phone number are required.
  

Add funds to your balance using a bank card issued outside Russia or a payment service available in a supported country prior to your arrival in Russia.

Pay for your purchases:

• 
  
• In physical locations: scan the QR code at the checkout. Internet access via Wi-Fi or a mobile network is required.
  
• For online payments: make purchases from online shops and reserve accommodation and purchase tickets directly through the app.
  

Why is it convenient?

PayInRussia has been designed with overseas visitors in mind:

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• you are not required to be a resident of the Russian Federation;
  
• you do not have to set up an account at a Russian bank;
  
• you are not required to go to bank offices or currency exchange bureaus;
  
• you can create an account and add funds before your trip;
  
• you can pay conveniently with your mobile phone;
  
• the service is convenient for both short and extended trips.
  

How do you get started? Get started in three easy steps:

1. 
   
2. Download the app to your smartphone.
   
3. Fund your account using an internationally issued bank card.
   
4. Pay for purchases 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.