Since March 2022, Visa, MasterCard, JCB, and American Express cards no longer work in Russia due to international sanctions. If you’re traveling to Russia for tourism, business, or studies, one of the most practical solutions today is to use a MIR card — Russia’s national payment system. With a MIR card, you can pay in shops, restaurants, public transport, taxis, ATMs, and on Russian websites such as RZD, Ozon, Aeroflot, or Yandex Travel.
One of the easiest and most flexible ways for foreigners to use a MIR card in Russia is through YooMoney, a well-known Russian payment service that allows you to prepare everything before traveling. With YooMoney, you can create an account online and receive a virtual MIR card, which works for online payments and QR payments across Russia.
The YooMoney MIR card can be used to pay for hotels, train tickets, museums, taxis, food delivery, online shopping, and many everyday expenses in Russia. In many situations, a physical card is not strictly necessary, as payments can be made directly from your phone using QR codes or supported mobile payment methods.
You can register using a foreign phone number and complete the setup online. Once your account is active, you can top up your balance in rubles using supported foreign cards or later using cash at Russian ATMs, reducing the need to travel with large amounts of cash.
If you need a physical MIR card, there are two possibilities. The standard option is to collect the card in Russia at YooMoney offices or partner locations. In some cases, it is also possible to receive a physical MIR card at your home address abroad through an assisted service that manages the process and international delivery.
YooMoney is especially useful if you plan to stay in Russia for more than a few days, travel between cities, make online purchases, or simply want a reliable payment method that works almost everywhere. It is also a good option if you prefer to prepare in advance and avoid payment issues upon arrival.