SendNOW is an online service for sending money to Russia with a foreign card or bank account: the recipient gets roubles on their MIR card or Russian bank account within minutes, without having to open any account. It’s the simplest method that works today, and also one of the most expensive. Here’s what it costs, where it works from and when another option suits you better.
Who SendNOW is for
For anyone who wants to send money to Russia without hassle: to a relative, a partner, to pay for a service, or to send it to yourself before a trip, onto your own MIR card. You don’t need to know anything about crypto or exchanges. That’s exactly why I use it: you pay with your card and the roubles appear on the recipient’s card, with no middle steps that can go wrong.
It also works the other way round: someone in Russia can send money abroad with the same system, or create a payment link so you can transfer the amount without them having to share their bank details.
How much it costs
- Typical total cost: 7-9% of the amount, adding up the fee and the exchange rate margin.
- By card or bank transfer: the payment goes through the processor Guardarian, which charges 3.5% + €1.70.
- With crypto (USDT or USDC): the payment fee is practically zero.
- From $2,500 (or the equivalent in euros or pounds) you get a better exchange rate.
- Limit per transfer: 50,000 EUR, USD or GBP.
Before you pay, you see the exchange rate applied and the exact amount of roubles the recipient will get, so there are no surprises.
Which countries it works from
From more than 190 countries: the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, the whole European Union, Switzerland and most of Latin America. If you’re sending from the US, it’s practically the only option, because neither Bybit nor Volet accepts US residents. Some US bank cards get declined by the anti-fraud system; if that happens, try another card or pay with crypto.
What the recipient needs
Just a Russian MIR card or an account at a Russian bank. They don’t need to sign up to SendNOW, verify their identity or install anything. You enter their full name, phone number and card or account number.
How to make a transfer
- Sign up on the SendNOW website or app (your Gmail account is enough).
- Choose the amount, the currency and how to pay: card, bank transfer or crypto.
- Enter the recipient’s details.
- Pay. The first time, depending on the amount, Guardarian may ask for a quick identity check. The roubles usually arrive in 5-10 minutes.
The full process, with screenshots of every step, the identity check and what to do if your card is declined, is in the guide How SendNOW works, step by step.
When another option suits you better
If you send large amounts often and crypto doesn’t put you off, the USDT + Whitebird method is cheaper (around 5-6%), although it has more steps. And if you already have a Volet balance, combining it with SwapCoin comes to about 4.5%. Every option that works today is compared in the guide How to send money to Russia.
SendNOW FAQ
Is SendNOW reliable?
Yes. I use it to send money to my own MIR card when I travel and to send money to contacts in Russia, and the roubles arrive within minutes. It isn’t affected by the sanctions that shut down other services like Profee or KoronaPay.
How long does the money take to arrive?
Usually 5 to 10 minutes after the payment is confirmed. The first transfer can take a little longer if Guardarian asks to verify your identity.
Does the recipient need a SendNOW account?
No. They just need a MIR card or an account at a Russian bank. You enter their name, phone number and card or account number.
Can I use SendNOW from the US?
Yes. It’s one of the few options that work from the US. If your bank declines the card, try another card or pay with crypto.