# How to open a bank account in Russia **URL:** \ **Category:** Business in Russia\ **Created:** [November 22, 2023, 10:53am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13 "2023-11-22T10:53:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Irena](https://forum.russiable.com/user_avatar/forum.russiable.com/irena/32/7_2.png) [@Irena](https://forum.russiable.com/u/Irena)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 10:53am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13/1 "2023-11-22T10:53:26Z")
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. > **[Open a Bank Account in Russia as a Foreigner – 2026](https://russiable.com/open-bank-account-russia/)** > > Learn how foreigners can open a Russian bank account in 2026: passport translation, SNILS, Gosuslugi, biometrics, SIM card, plus best banks. ---
**Author:** ![DimiDons](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DimiDons](https://forum.russiable.com/u/DimiDons)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 2:26pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13/2 "2024-07-04T14:26:36Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![bbhirsch](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@bbhirsch](https://forum.russiable.com/u/bbhirsch)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13/3 "2024-07-04T19:55:22Z")
@DimiDons For “Proof of Sources of Income,” I assume you provided foreign tax documents? Did you have to have those translated into Russian also? ---
**Author:** ![DimiDons](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DimiDons](https://forum.russiable.com/u/DimiDons)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2024, 7:36am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13/4 "2024-07-05T07:36:04Z")
@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.. ---
**Author:** ![bbhirsch](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@bbhirsch](https://forum.russiable.com/u/bbhirsch)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13/5 "2024-07-05T12:32:18Z")
Oh okay. I agree. I initially thought you were saying all banks were asking for income proof ---
**Author:** ![DimkaCH](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DimkaCH](https://forum.russiable.com/u/DimkaCH)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 11:32am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13/6 "2024-07-16T11:32:47Z")
@DimiDons Hello. So you managed to open it with VTB ? Did they give you the card without name the same day? ---
**Author:** ![DimiDons](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DimiDons](https://forum.russiable.com/u/DimiDons)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13/7 "2024-07-16T13:58:20Z")
@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. ---
**Author:** ![DimkaCH](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DimkaCH](https://forum.russiable.com/u/DimkaCH)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 8:45am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-russia/13/8 "2024-07-17T08:45:44Z")
Thank you. And for the address they put your hotel address or you can put the adress of your choice?