If you're planning a trip abroad, be ready for some surprises. Since the 2022 sanctions, the familiar Visa and Mastercard no longer work with Russian banks. Here's how to avoid getting caught out when it's time to pay.

2022: the sanctions that made Russian cards useless

The 2022 sanctions hit Russian cards hard: Visa and Mastercard pulled out. If you think a Mir card will let you pay for anything, anywhere, reality has a surprise in store.

Where cards stand today

Cards that work abroad
  • Mir card - works across the former Soviet countries, in Turkey and in Vietnam, but not in Europe or the US. High fees and currency conversion make it a local solution at best.
  • UnionPay - a Chinese payment system that works in China and across Asia, but is poorly accepted in Europe and the US. Better than Mir, but far from universal.

How to open one of these cards abroad

Opening a bank account abroad isn't easy: you need to be in the country in person, have a local SIM card and prove your address, and sometimes even get a visa. The process takes weeks, with no guarantee it will work out.

Alternatives to cards

  • Cash - a tried-and-true option, but exchange rates are poor and some countries have strict rules on how much you can bring in or take out.
  • Money transfers (Western Union and similar services) - they get the job done, but fees are high and transfers aren't fast.
  • Crypto - gets around the restrictions, but it's volatile; if you don't understand the risks, take your time.
  • MoonPay - quickly converts crypto into regular money with minimal fees and works in many countries.
Easier with MakeItEarnTo avoid the hassle with cards abroad, you can get virtual cards that work for payments worldwide.
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