Source notes supplied by Vlad on 14 October 2026. Some official sites could not be independently reopened; their claims are attributed to the supplied material. Unconfirmed routes, fees and new-cycle dates are not presented as facts.
Before you arrive
Do not make a foreign Visa card your only way to pay. Visa’s official suspension statement says cards issued outside Russia no longer work within Russia. Arrange a lawful backup and ask your university how students currently pay locally.
An incoming transfer and sending money out of Russia are different operations, with different restrictions. A service advertising transfers FROM Russia is not evidence that your parents can send money TO Russia.
Official sources: Visa · 2022 · Bank of Russia
Opening an account: ask about your student status
Sberbank’s foreigner guide lists identity and migration documents. The current monthly card fee is not confirmed in the supplied material; ask for the tariff before signing.
VTB advertises free issue and servicing for its foreigner Mir card. Its document list is aimed at workers: acceptance of a student visa alone is not confirmed. Do not assume this offer applies to every student.
The supplied T-Bank page lists 99 ₽ per month, waived with at least 50,000 ₽ in accounts or an active loan; the physical card requires a meeting in Russia. Reconfirm the tariff and eligibility directly. Alfa-Bank lists a notarised Russian passport translation and an INN certificate “if available”, plus migration/legal-stay documents.
Student ID and SNILS as universal account-opening requirements are not confirmed. An INN being optional at Alfa-Bank does not establish another bank’s rules. Ask the specific branch what it needs for your nationality and visa.
Money from parents abroad
The Bank of Russia says Russian law does not restrict receipt of payments from abroad, but foreign sanctions and correspondent-bank checks can cause refusal or blocked funds. Legal permission does not guarantee a working transfer route.
The regulator recommends that foreign students consider an account in a bank not under sanctions and give its details to parents. Both banks must confirm currency, intermediary banks, fees, recipient details and whether the route accepts your transaction. Its FAQ says funds received from foreign banks or e-wallets are paid out only in rubles; do not interpret this as a universal rule about the currency in which every account is credited.
No verified country-by-country route or fee is available here for India, China, Brazil, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal or Côte d’Ivoire. Nor is there a confirmed inbound Korona country list. Get written confirmation from the provider; do not rely on a chat intermediary.
For outgoing transfers, the Bank of Russia FAQ distinguishes nationality, residency and work status. Non-residents from countries classified as “unfriendly” who do not work in Russia face an outgoing-transfer prohibition; employed non-residents in that category may transfer within earnings. The cited restrictions run through 7 December 2026. Recheck before sending.
Official sources: Bank of Russia
Cash at the border
Cash and traveller’s cheques above USD 10,000 equivalent must be declared in writing for the whole amount on entry. Above USD 100,000 equivalent, documents proving origin are required. This is a declaration rule, not a recommendation to travel with large amounts.
Export rules differ: the cited customs FAQ prohibits taking foreign-currency cash above USD 10,000 equivalent out of Russia. Check current customs rules and the rules of every transit/destination country. Available exchange currencies, note condition and bank fees are not confirmed here.
Official sources: Federal Customs Service · Federal Customs Service
Daily payments and your budget
SBP QR payments are available where the merchant supports SBP and your banking app supports the payment. Moscow Transport lists Troika and Russian bank-card payment options. Do not assume a foreign wallet or card will work.
RUDN’s supplied accommodation page gives 1,100–17,500 ₽ per month depending on room and comfort level. This is one university’s range, not an average student budget. Older RANEPA figures are not presented as 2026/27 prices. Confirm your room, deposit, insurance, food and transport costs with the university.
Mir acceptance abroad is not confirmed by a current country list here. The supplied Bank of Russia list is from 2022: check the specific bank and payment terminal before travel.
Official sources: Bank of Russia · SBP · Moscow Transport · RUDN
Keep control of your account
Never share your PIN, SMS code, CVC or banking access. Never rent out a card or accept payments for strangers. Contact the bank using its official app or published phone number if someone claims your money must move to a “safe account”.
Official sources: Bank of Russia
Written by Vlad Lario
Russian in Lisbon. I read both sides and write down what differs.
About the author