Any foreigner who is legally in Russia for tourism, business, studies, or has a residence permit can open a bank account and have a Russian MIR card. The application can be done online. It’s also possible to open a Russian bank account remotely from some countries without the need to travel to Russia.
3 Notes:
1. For online app, once I selected the checkbox as [Not a Russian Citizen] the application said I could only apply in-person.
2. Raffeisen Bank is Austrian and facing major pressure from the US gov to lessen it’s activity (web search Reuters Raffeisen for details. These kind of changes can take a LONG time to occur, but I’d avoid Raffeisen for opening new accounts. Additionally, I tried to open an account there, and they asked for Proof of Residence (which is unnecessary because I’m not a resident), AND Proof of Sources of Income. The 2nd requirement is absolutely absurd. Bank account statements were inadequate. They wanted Proof of the Sources of Income. I’ve opened accounts in multiple countries and none even asked for Bank Statements.
3. Employees at banks seem untrained & uncertain as which documents are actually required.
Raffeisen asked for Passport, Immigration Card, Residence Certificate, and Proof of Sources of Income.
VTB asked for Passport, Passport translation into Russian (& Notarized), and Residence Certificate. I told VTB employees “that document is only between Hotels and the Authorities. Tourists aren’t involved. Also, I’m not a resident, I’m a tourist”, and pointed to the Tourist indication on my Visa. They then said the Residence document would not be required. But still required:
- Passport ID page
- Passport ID page Translation & Notarization into Russian
- Passport Visa page
- white Immigration Card
To find a nearby service for Translation, I opened maps app and searched: перевод и нотариальное заверение паспорта
Most places charge ₱900–₱2000 ready next-day.
@DimiDons For “Proof of Sources of Income,” I assume you provided foreign tax documents? Did you have to have those translated into Russian also?
@bbhirsch it wasn’t worth the hassle. The employee didn’t even tell me which documents would actually fulfill that requirement.
Why bother, when there are multiple other banks which have easier requirements..
Oh okay. I agree. I initially thought you were saying all banks were asking for income proof
Hello. So you managed to open it with VTB ? Did they give you the card without name the same day?
@DimkaCH yes. They guided me thru how to activate on the mobile app. Just needed to deposit ₱500 same day to finish activation.
(in-person deposit costs ₱50, so better do it at the machine)
I don’t know any Russian, so I login via Chrome and use Translate.
Thank you.
And for the address they put your hotel address or you can put the adress of your choice?