Bank cards issued outside Russia cannot be used in Russia. Once you cross the border, your usual payment convenience becomes inaccessible: you can no longer easily pay for your coffee, book a taxi, or purchase a ticket to a museum. You are forced to find a currency exchange office, carry cash with you, and cut back on impulse purchases.

The answer to this problem is PayInRussia. This payment service helps foreign travelers to pay for goods and services in Russia with their mobile phones. You do not need cash or have to visit a bank.

What can you pay for?

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• taxi rides and delivery services;
  
• accommodation and flight tickets;
  
• cafes and dining establishments;
  
• retail outlets and shopping centers;
  
• admission to museums and various events;
  
• orders from Russian online stores and marketplaces.
  

How does the service work?

Sign up before your journey while you are still in your home country. To do this:

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• upload a scan of your passport;
  
• take a selfie;
  
• complete a brief identity check. https://payinrussia.com/ 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 a supported international payment service before traveling to Russia.

Pay for your purchases:

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• At physical points of sale: scan the QR code at the checkout. Internet access via Wi-Fi or mobile data is necessary.
  
• For online payments: pay for orders in e-commerce stores and make hotel reservations and buy tickets straight from the mobile app.
  

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 banks or foreign exchange offices;
  
• you can create an account and add funds before your trip;
  
• you can pay conveniently using your smartphone;
  
• the service is ideal for short visits as well as longer stays.
  

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

1. 
   
2. Get the mobile app on your mobile phone.
   
3. Add money to 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 scan the code at the checkout. The money will be withdrawn from your balance instantly.