How to transfer money to Russia under sanctions

How Can I Transfer Money to Russia? 
As a result of sanctions, foreign (non-Russian) bank cards don't work in Russia anymore. Most banks have stopped transfers to Russia. Western Union, MoneyGram and other money transfer services don't serve Russia either. However, despite these obstacles, it is still possible to transfer money to Russia both for everyday living and large one time expenses such as purchasing a property, starting a business or buying stocks of Russian companies.   
It is important to note that transferring money to Russia for personal use is not subject to any sanctions and remains absolutely legal.
So how can you transfer money to Russia?   

Option 1. Cash 
You can still bring to Russia cash in the equivalent of up to $10,000 without any restrictions. Bringing cash is the best solution if you are going to Russia with a short visit. US Dollar and Euro can be easily exchanged to Russian Rubles in almost any bank and exchange office. 
If you'd like to bring in cash more than the equivalent of $10,000, you'll need to declare the money at the border and provide the documents showing money origin. If you are planning to take more than $10,000, make sure there are no restrictions on moving cash in your home country. 
Option 2. Cryptocurrency
This is the most popular and cost-effective option, especially if you need to transfer a large amount of money. The first step is to buy crypto with your non-Russian bank card (for example, on Binance, Coinbase or another reliable exchange). The second step is to convert crypto into Rubles through a Russian exchange and have Rubles remitted into your or your friend's Russian account.    

If you don't have a Russian bank account, you can easily open it when you come to Russia. The bank will only need your passport, its translation and (in some cases) visa registration.
Though crypto transfers may seem dangerous or unreliable, it is not actually true. In fact they are really fast and safe provided that you are attentive, follow the algorithm and use reliable exchanges. 
Option 3. Transfer through a third country
If you have an account in a neutral third country like Armenia, Serbia, Kazakhstan, India or China, you can first transfer funds there and then have them transferred to your Russian bank account. Some banks in these countries (however, not all) do offer transfers to Russia despite sanctions. However, we recommend to double-check if your bank in a neutral country will be able to make such a transfer. Also, please bear in mind that bank transfers are relatively slow and may involve higher commissions.

We offer assistance with transferring funds to Russia for personal use.  