# SIM cards new process **URL:** \ **Category:** Travel to Russia\ **Created:** [July 31, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263 "2025-07-31T01:30:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Yulia](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/y/ecb155/32.png) [@Yulia](https://forum.russiable.com/u/Yulia)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263/1 "2025-07-31T01:30:45Z")
Hello all, 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: 1. First you need to get your passport translated into Russian. 2. You need to get a SNILs, which is Russia’s version of social security. and a bio scan 3. 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! ---
**Author:** ![NorseVictory](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@NorseVictory](https://forum.russiable.com/u/NorseVictory)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263/2 "2025-08-04T17:53:09Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Bill](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@Bill](https://forum.russiable.com/u/Bill)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263/3 "2025-08-04T23:42:06Z")
@NorseVictory Sounds like a scam ---
**Author:** ![NorseVictory](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@NorseVictory](https://forum.russiable.com/u/NorseVictory)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263/4 "2025-08-05T01:35:35Z")
![https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lm258ao8s7sti6mum7j4a/Screenshot_20250804_212912_Telegram.jpg?rlkey=9xl2lu3w3hjqg840gqb6no6vj&st=937akok2&dl=0]() ---
**Author:** ![KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/u/KO11)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263/5 "2025-08-06T13:56:46Z")
@NorseVictory I dont see any branding for T-Bank or even a T-Bank logo anywhere on that message. ---
**Author:** ![NorseVictory](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@NorseVictory](https://forum.russiable.com/u/NorseVictory)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263/6 "2025-08-06T21:40:41Z")
@KO11 I get the skepticism even with the Gosuslugi logo. So I contacted them… ![https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rce72r1mx1cblj3qh660h/Screenshot_20250806_162349_Chrome.jpg?rlkey=2g1e8nze9hue1935s1nx0124v&st=i5do15ej&dl=0]() ![https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5ctafjith0u9et33vhato/Screenshot_20250806_162358_Chrome.jpg?rlkey=oix7swzw2ut1yuc64px366bty&st=az8j7wm8&dl=0]() So, its true. ---
**Author:** ![KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@KO11](https://forum.russiable.com/u/KO11)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263/7 "2025-08-07T12:31:19Z")
@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. ---
**Author:** ![NorseVictory](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@NorseVictory](https://forum.russiable.com/u/NorseVictory)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 1:06pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/sim-cards-new-process/263/8 "2025-08-07T13:06:13Z")
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.