I was recently in Moscow and went to get a SIM card- there is a new process where you have to use a bank and notary and get a SIM card and having a Russian phone number is the only way to use WIFI apart from your hotel room, French Connection Cafe and I was told also Burger King (*which I did not try).
The Process:
First you need to get your passport translated into Russian.
You need to get a SNILs, which is Russia’s version of social security. and a bio scan
After SNILs you go to a ell phone store and get a SIM card- not all SIM cards work in the metro!
I was lucky to have a friend and we downloaded and E sim from her Megaphon account which SAVED me hours of getting lost and hours of bureaucracy!
T-bank might be stepping up their game concerning the sim card issues…
Recent message from T-Bank regarding Biometrics and Sim card registration with them.
Translation:
Submit biometrics for a SIM card
Order it in T‑Mobile — our representative will arrive at a convenient place for you.
What will happen at the meeting:
— We will help you get SNILS online and create an account for Public Services.
— Let’s collect biometrics: You will be photographed and asked to read the numbers aloud from your tablet.
The SIM card can be used immediately after the meeting.
@NorseVictory That would be a game changer. I know T-Bank was already leading the industry in helping potential customers, setting up booths at airports for example, so this might save people alot of time.
With the good comes the bad. Tbank is known for closing accounts on the whim, not crypto friendly, etc etc. If you’re planning on multiple visits / moving to Russia, plan on multiple bank accounts.
