Use this as your arrival control panel. Start with the checklist, open the right wizard when the answer depends on your status, and keep official-source checks close.
A fast path for internet, money, registration, maps, and emergency numbers.
Open checklistUse the wizard before going to an operator, because foreigner SIM rules depend on your situation.
Start wizardCheck realistic card, cash, and local-payment options before you rely on a foreign card.
Start wizardTourist, student, worker, resident, and business visitors should not follow the same route.
Choose statusInteractive checklist
Your checks are saved in this browser, so you can come back after leaving the airport or hotel.
Do not assume you can buy a SIM instantly. Check the route for your status first, then decide whether to use Wi-Fi, roaming, eSIM fallback, or an in-person operator visit.
Telecom rules for foreign citizens are regulated and can change. Verify the current path before buying or re-registering a SIM.
Do not rely on a foreign Visa or Mastercard without checking. Choose a payment fallback for transport, food, and hotel needs before you are stuck at checkout.
Banking and payment availability can depend on status, document checks, sanctions context, and provider policy. Ruvoya does not promise approval.
Do not guess who is responsible. Confirm whether your hotel, host, landlord, university, or employer will submit the arrival notice for migration registration (миграционный учёт).
Many stays use a 7-working-day rule, but exceptions and shorter paths can apply by status or host type. Check official sources or the full guide before acting.
Set up the boring basics: maps, transport, translation, emergency numbers, and official download pages. It is much easier before you lose signal or battery.
Use the checklist for triage, then open the guide that matches the task.
Step-by-step guide to buying a SIM card in Russia as a foreign citizen. Since January 1, 2025, EBS biometric verification, passport, SNILS, and a verified Gosuslugi account are mandatory.
Step-by-step guide to opening a bank account and getting a debit card as a foreign citizen in Russia. Requires a passport and KYC verification under Federal Law 115-FZ. INN is legally optional but practically required by most banks.
How to register at the real place of stay: the receiving party usually submits the notice, while deadlines and channels depend on status, accommodation, and citizenship.
A list of must-have apps for foreigners in Russia: navigation (Yandex Maps, 2GIS), taxi (Yandex Go), translation, banking apps, and backup communication channels.
Troika card (Moscow), Podorozhnik (Saint Petersburg), contactless payment, and mobile apps. Anonymous transport cards require no ID — buy at metro ticket offices for 50-80 rubles.
Emergency numbers (112, 101, 102, 103), what to do if you lose your documents, your rights during a police stop, how to report a crime, and embassy contacts.
The Telegram bot is menu-driven for MVP: language, status, task, then a short safe answer and full-guide link.