Russia, step by step.
Friendly, source-aware routes for the first things foreigners usually need in Russia: internet, money, registration, transport, documents, and city setup.
- Choose your status
- Open the right guide
- Check sources before acting
Choose your route
Who are you in Russia?
Start with the situation closest to yours. The route changes for tourists, students, workers, business visitors, and long-term residents.
Useful next steps
Start with a practical guide
Open one clear guide for the task in front of you. High-risk topics keep risk labels and source checks visible.
How to Send Money to Russia Legally in 2026
Red risk: before sending, check sender country, recipient bank, sanctions, KYC/AML, fees, timing, refund path, and proof of transaction. Do not use third-party cards, fake recipients, or compliance workarounds.
How to Check a Money Transfer Provider Before Use
A checklist for SendNOW, Swapcoin, Volet, and other services: official domain, sender country, KYC/AML, recipient bank, limit, fee, exchange rate, refund path, support, and small test.
Set up a Russia travel eSIM before arrival
A fast option for tourists and business visitors: buy a data-only eSIM before the trip, install the profile at home, and turn on mobile data after arrival.
Apply for a T-Bank debit card for Russian payments
A practical route for tourists and visitors who need a local bank card for Russian payments. The application starts online, but the bank still runs identity and document checks.
Document checklist for your first days in Russia
A practical document folder for arrival or relocation: what to keep close, what to copy, and where status-specific requirements must be checked.
Cash and foreign cards in Russia
Prepare a payment backup: why foreign Visa/Mastercard cards may not work, how much cash to plan, and when to open a separate banking route.
How to download apps safely in Russia
What to do when Google Play or App Store does not show a Russian app: official website, RuStore for Android, web fallback, and developer checks.
How to install RuStore on Android
Step-by-step: open the official RuStore site, download the APK, allow install from that source, then install Russian apps from the catalog.
How to download and set up Yandex Maps
Where to download Yandex Maps on Android and iPhone, what to do without Google Play, and how to build your first public transport route.
How to download and set up Yandex Go for taxi
Where to download Yandex Go, how to verify a phone number, choose cash payment, and avoid arriving at the airport without a working taxi app.
How to buy and top up a Troika card in Moscow
Where to buy Troika, how to top up by cash or online, why remote top-up must be written to the card, and where to download the Moscow Metro app.
How to buy and top up Podorozhnik in Saint Petersburg
Where to buy Podorozhnik, how to top up online or in the metro, how to activate remote top-up, and where to download the official app.
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