Since March 2022, Visa, MasterCard, JCB, and American Express cards have stopped working in Russia due to international sanctions. If you’re planning to travel to Russia for tourism, business, or studies, one of the most practical solutions is to get a MIR card — Russia’s national payment system. With a MIR card, you can pay without issues in stores, restaurants, public transportation, ATMs, and on Russian websites like Rzd, Ozon, Aeroflot, or Yandex Travel. MIR cards also work in several CIS countries and tourist destinations such as Turkey, Cuba, and Egypt.
One of the easiest ways to get a MIR card as a foreigner is through T‑Bank (formerly Tinkoff Bank), a digital bank that lets you apply online in just a few minutes and delivers the card directly to your accommodation in Russia. The process is very straightforward: fill out a short form online and download the T‑Bank app. Within 1–2 days, a bank representative will contact you to deliver the card in person (at your hotel or apartment) and help you activate it. Delivery is free, and the card itself is also free.
You can easily top up your card at ATMs using euros, dollars, or rubles. You can also transfer money from other cards via the mobile app without any fees. Once your card is activated, you can withdraw cash for free at T‑Bank ATMs, send transfers to family, or send money to countries like Armenia, Uzbekistan, or Kyrgyzstan using just the recipient’s phone number. The card also offers perks like cashback in selected spending categories and high-yield interest on savings deposits.
To get the card, you just need to be legally in Russia (with a visa or visa exemption), and present your passport and immigration card. You don’t need to be a Russian citizen or resident. You can even start the application before your trip and schedule delivery once you arrive. Although the full process can’t be completed 100% online from abroad, you can fill out the form in advance to save time. It’s best to apply 1–2 days before arriving in Russia.
This card is especially useful if you’re staying in Russia for more than a week or two, traveling across cities (for example, on the Trans-Siberian route), making online purchases, or simply don’t want to rely entirely on cash. If you’d like a more detailed guide, check out my full article on how to open a bank account in Russia as a foreigner. Note: If you’re only visiting Russia for a few days as a tourist, this card may not be worth the effort — unless you also plan to use it in other countries where MIR is accepted or want to shop on Russian websites.