QR Payments Open Up Russia for Tourists, Making Spending Easier and Boosting Revenue
Promselkhozbank has launched a new payment service for foreign tourists visiting Russia, offering fast onboarding and a built-in guide to help users navigate the system. The program Plati v Rossii (Pay in Russia) allows foreign visitors to pay for taxis, restaurants and other services using QR codes directly from their smartphones, both online and offline.
The solution runs on document recognition technology developed by Smart Engines, enabling quick and secure access to the service. Foreign tourists will be able to easily pay for taxis or restaurants using QR codes from their mobile phones, both online and offline.
For tourists, the shift is significant. Previously, visitors often had to rely on cash for taxis, hotels, shopping and bookings. Now, they can pay seamlessly via QR codes, reducing friction and saving time.
Data Verification Runs Automatically
The payment platform was developed by Promselkhozbank, while Smart Engines, a leading Russian developer of AI-based document recognition, built and deployed the identity verification system. It automatically scans and validates user data to connect foreign customers to the service.
The system can recognize identity documents from 230 countries and jurisdictions, including India and China, and verify their authenticity. Registration is straightforward, users simply point their smartphone camera at a document, and the AI extracts all relevant data within seconds from national IDs, passports or migration cards.
Supports Scripts From Chinese Characters to Arabic
The system also works with NFC chips in passports and enables secure, non-biometric facial verification by matching a selfie with the document photo. Importantly, processing is available both in a mobile app and in a browser. The service Plati v Rossii supports documents from all regions, including CIS countries, the Middle East, India and China.
Smart Engines’ algorithms handle multiple writing systems, from Chinese characters to Arabic script, with recognition accuracy described as among the highest on the market. As a result, identity verification and access to online banking become available to a much broader group of users.
The service is expected to address a long-standing issue in inbound tourism. Cashless payment options for foreign visitors in Russia have been limited, forcing tourists to exchange currency, withdraw cash and rely on it throughout their stay. According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia and industry experts, payment restrictions have cost the service sector up to 30% of potential revenue from international visitors.
With Plati v Rossii, tourists can more easily use taxis, restaurants, museums and concert venues, paying for services without additional barriers or delays. The service is expected to be particularly in demand among travelers from China, the Middle East and CIS countries, who frequently visit Russia.
Helping Drive Tourism Growth
QR payments have already become a mainstream tool in Russia. The Bank of Russia reported that in 2025, QR and biometric payments reached 4 billion transactions totaling 5.7 trillion rubles (approximately $63 billion), with 3 million businesses accepting payments via the Faster Payments System (SBP). Plati v Rossii is expected to remove remaining barriers to cashless payments for foreign visitors, boosting revenue across tourism and related sectors, including retail, hospitality, transport and entertainment.
Over the long term, the service could enhance Russia’s appeal as a travel destination by positioning it as a country where digital payments remain accessible despite limitations imposed by international card systems. Demand is expected to be strong. Over the past two years, inbound tourism has grown to 5.6 million trips, with the largest numbers of visitors coming from China, India, the Gulf countries and Southeast Asia.
