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AllEditorial auto-review: The virtual card from the Zaimer service is a convenient financial tool for online settlements. The product is aimed at users who value processing speed and digital accessibility without the need to obtain a plastic carrier. On the pages of the Sravnim24 financial portal, you can get acquainted in detail with the current terms of use, maintenance features, and the procedure for obtaining this card. The service allows you to quickly compare the product's parameters with other market offers before making a decision.
Editorial auto-review: The Privilegiya Credit Card of Opportunities from VTB Bank is a premium bank card with an extended grace period of up to 200 days. The credit limit for the product reaches 1,000,000 RUB, and the base interest rate is 24.9% per annum. The card maintenance cost is 2,990 RUB. Application is available to citizens aged 18 and older without income certificates, with cashback of up to 50% provided. Applications are reviewed starting from 5 minutes. The issuance and maintenance terms allow you to effectively manage personal finances within a premium service package.
Editorial auto-review: The 115 Days 0% Interest credit card from Ak Bars Bank is a classic offering featuring free maintenance and a grace period of up to 115 days. You can apply starting from age 18 without providing income certificates, and a decision is made starting from 15 minutes. Cardholders get access to up to 20% cashback and a credit limit of up to 300,000 RUB. This is a functional financial tool for everyday purchases with a long interest-free period.
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Every year, more and more foreign nationals arrive in Russia, and most of them generally come to work. However, foreigners, just like Russian citizens, may encounter unexpected situations. To avoid sudden financial difficulties, it is best to get a credit card. Yet, despite the fact that our laws do not restrict issuing credit cards to visitors, getting one can be difficult. We will explain whether it is possible for a foreign citizen to get a credit card, what challenges they may face, and where they can apply in 2024.
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a credit card?
It is possible for a foreigner to get a credit card. Today, several banks issue credit cards to foreign citizens. However, before submitting a credit card application, you need to carefully review the borrower requirements.
The ability to obtain a card depends on the terms of a specific credit institution. To get a credit card from most of them, however, you need to do the following:
- provide documents confirming income and employment;
- become a payroll client of the bank through its payroll service;
- provide the bank with collateral as a guarantee of debt repayment;
- bring a guarantor to the bank — a citizen of the Russian Federation who has official employment and a steady income.
If these conditions are met, the bank may accommodate the borrower, even if the client is a resident of another state.
Why might a credit card application be denied?
Recently, the issue of issuing credit cards to foreign citizens has become particularly acute. This is due to the fact that the number of migrant workers is growing rapidly, while the number of banks ready to issue them credit cards is declining.
Most credit organizations are not ready to take risks and issue cards to foreigners because, according to statistics, the number of delinquent non-payers among them is growing every year.
Does the law restrict the issuance of credit cards to foreigners?
Currently, no law in force in Russia imposes restrictions on issuing credit cards to foreign citizens. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation, which regulates the country's financial sector, also sets no limits on such transactions.
This means the decision whether or not to issue a credit card to a foreigner rests entirely with the bank. As already mentioned, most credit organizations are ready to issue credit cards to non-residents only upon receiving substantial repayment guarantees — certificates confirming income and employment, collateral, or a guarantor.
Under what terms can foreigners with a temporary residence permit (TRP) or permanent residence permit (PRP) get a credit card?
To get a credit card, the borrower must provide the bank with a temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit valid at the time of application.
In addition, the foreign citizen must bring the following set of documents to the lender:
- a foreign passport along with a notarized translation;
- a valid employment contract and an official work permit in Russia;
- documents confirming income, such as a 2-NDFL employment certificate, information on other sources of income, and so on.
Without these documents, you should not count on getting a credit card.
Where can foreigners get money if their credit card application is denied?
Since not all banks are ready to lend money at interest to foreign citizens, getting a credit card can be very difficult for foreigners. If a resident of another state experiences financial difficulties, they can apply to a microfinance organization for a microloan.
Microcredit companies are more lenient toward borrowers than banks. Therefore, getting money at interest there is much easier. There are even special microfinance organizations that specialize in issuing microloans exclusively to foreigners.
However, it is worth noting that this does not involve issuing a credit card. MFIs usually transfer money to a personalized bank card, bank account, or electronic wallet. A microloan can also be received in cash.
And one should not forget about the major drawback of applying to microcredit companies: the high interest rate. As a rule, it reaches its maximum values of 0.8% per day or 292% per annum. For this reason, it is much wiser and more profitable to do everything possible to obtain a bank credit card.
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SberCard credit card from Sberbank 
MTS Dengi Zero credit card from MTS Bank Which banks offer credit cards to foreigners in 2024?
As mentioned above, far from all banks are ready to approve a credit card for a foreign citizen. Nevertheless, we have selected the top 3 credit institutions where you can apply for a credit card in 2024.
| Name | Issue fee | Servicing | Transaction alerts | Credit limit | Grace period | Interest rate | Cash withdrawal | Transfers of borrowed funds | Cashback | Borrower requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "SberCard Credit" from Sberbank | free | free | free | from 10,000 to 1 million RUB | up to 120 days | from 9.8% per annum | free for the first 30 days after receiving the card, then subject to a 3% fee, but not less than 390 RUB | free for the first 30 days after receiving the card, then subject to a 3% fee, but not less than 390 RUB |
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| "VTB Card of Opportunities" from VTB | free | free | 79 RUB per month | up to 1 million RUB | up to 200 days | from 9.9% per annum | free up to 100,000 rubles in the first 30 days after receiving the card, then with a fee of 5.9% plus 590 rubles | free up to 100,000 rubles in the first 30 days after receiving the card, then with a fee of 5.9% plus 590 rubles |
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| "Platinum" from T-Bank | free | 590 RUB per year or free with a "Pro" subscription | 59 RUB per month for T-Mobile numbers or 99 RUB per month for other numbers | from 15,000 to 1 million RUB | up to 55 days for regular purchases, up to 120 days for paying off debts on credit cards issued at other banks, or up to 180 days with the “Pro” subscription, up to 12 months for purchases at partner stores | from 12% per annum | with a 2.9% fee plus 290 RUB | free up to 50,000 RUB per month, then with a fee of 2.9% plus 290 RUB |
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