The National Bank of Kazakhstan intends to stop issuing bank cards to foreigners who lack a temporary or permanent residence permit. The regulator’s press service told socialbites.ca that the corresponding regulatory act would come into force on November 9.
The Kazakh central bank’s press service noted a rise in card applications from non-residents who have not visited local offices or who only visit briefly. There has also been an uptick in internet fraud and illegal transactions using plastic cards, the regulator said.
Looking ahead, cards issued to foreign nationals could be used in illegal drug sales. More than 1.5 thousand such payment cards have reportedly been identified, with turnover running into several billion tenge (about 200 million rubles at current rates). The regulator said a mechanism will be developed to prevent and minimize risks tied to the use of payment instruments and financial services for criminal purposes.
The decision was announced in coordination with the Financial Monitoring Agency of Kazakhstan and the Agency for Financial Market Regulation and Development. The regulator stressed that the new measures are not meant to create obstacles for reputable bank customers.
What will change for Russians?
Russia’s Federal Tax Service reported a 30% rise in foreign accounts held by Russians last year. While there are no precise figures on foreign-issued cards held by Russians, a survey by Anderida Financial Group among 1,900 respondents found that about one in ten Russians held a card from a foreign bank. Foreign cards can be used to pay on international websites, settle services such as Microsoft subscriptions, or book accommodations outside Russia, according to Timur Aitov, head of the financial security commission at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He noted strong interest in card-use abroad and confirmed that card tourism has been popular.
The forthcoming Kazakh restrictions will complicate obtaining Kazakh cards, especially after Visa and MasterCard left the country. At present, Kaspi Bank offers a one-day card application process for foreigners who hold a passport with an entry stamp into Kazakhstan, a local SIM card, and an individual taxpayer number (IIN). Processing is free, with daily service through public desks.
Travelers planning to apply for a debit card should budget roughly three days for travel planning. Aviasales data show Moscow–Almaty fares between November 6 and 8 around 25,317 rubles, with hotel rates near 13,701 rubles.
For those preparing to travel soon, a budget of about 40,000 rubles is a reasonable cushion for a card trip. After the new measures take effect, obtaining a temporary residence permit would require at least six weeks, since a residence permit is issued for work, study, medical treatment, business activity, or family reunification, supported by documents such as a local employment contract. The overall process remains intricate, and delays can occur. Overall, getting a Kazakhstan card may become more costly and risky, though alternatives exist for Russians seeking foreign cards.
Belarus
The Belarusian National Bank indicated that it did not implement a policy like Kazakhstan’s. Cards in Russian or Belarusian rubles, dollars, or euros can be issued within one to five days by local banks.
At Alfa Bank Belarus, a card costs about 290 Belarusian rubles (roughly 8,500 rubles) and can be opened at a bank branch with a Russian or international passport. Priorbank has tightened rules for non-residents, requiring a 20,000 Belarusian ruble guarantee deposit (refundable after card issuance). In some cases a local SIM card is needed.
Budget estimates suggest ~60,000 rubles for a Belarus card trip. For a sample bounce, a four-star hotel near Minsk center from November 6 to 12 can come in at around 39,078 rubles, with Moscow–Minsk round-trips at about 10,469 rubles and train fares from 3.8 to 18.1 thousand rubles.
Armenia
The National Bank of Armenia noted that commercial banks independently set procedures for opening accounts and issuing cards to foreigners, guided by national law and compliance standards. Bank criteria can vary, and applicants should contact the specific bank for current requirements. Attempts to reach many Armenian banks for comment were not successful. In one example, a Russian passport is presented on arrival at a bank branch, with registration taking around five days and costs near 55 thousand drams (about 12,650 rubles). Currencies offered include dram, dollar, euro, and ruble.
Open data suggest some Armenian banks require a rental agreement of at least six months, a local social card, proof of income, and a co-signer’s account statement. Hotel prices in Yerevan from November 6 to 12 start around 45,655 rubles, with Moscow–Yerevan flights around 19,058 rubles.
Budget guidance points to roughly 80,000 rubles as a reasonable amount to secure a card in Armenia.
Kyrgyzstan
The Central Bank of Kyrgyzstan confirmed that to obtain a debit card, one must present a temporary residence permit, residence permit, or visa. This requirement has been in place previously. Reports from internet forums indicate a typical temporary residence process of about 50 days.
A card can be issued in soms, rubles, US dollars, or euros within a day, at an approximate cost of 306 soms (about 318 rubles).
Hotel rates in Bishkek from November 6 to 12 hover around 16,608 rubles. Like Kazakhstan, accommodation needs to be arranged for a longer stay, with an estimated monthlong rental price near 80,000 rubles. Moscow–Bishkek flights around 23,096 rubles are common in the period.
Budget estimates show minimums of around 120,000 rubles to obtain a Kyrgyz card. The process carries risk if the temporary residence permit is delayed, and travelers should plan accordingly.
Türkiye
Turkish cards have an added perk: they can be used to pay for PlayStation games and more. To open a card in Turkey, applicants must present a foreign passport, a Turkish IIN (generated within minutes on the gov.tr site), a local phone number, and funds in lira, dollar, or euro. Rubles are not accepted. The IIN is issued only after the passport is registered in the Turkish system, which occurs once crossing the border. Applicants fill out a form on the Turkish site.
Vakıf Bank offers cards for about 3,500 lira (around 11,550 rubles). Some banks require a 10,000 lira deposit, as noted by users, and there are warnings that the card application process may be lengthy. One user shared that Deniz Bank issued a card within a few days, though experiences vary and smaller towns tend to be more flexible with non-residents.
Hotel rates near central Istanbul from November 6 to 12 run around 36,487 rubles, with Moscow–Ankara flights around 8,322 rubles. A typical Turkish card budget starts at about 92,000 rubles, not including possible travel delays or returned tickets.
If travel is not feasible, remote issuance services exist for foreign Visa and MasterCard cards. A service representative suggested options from a Kyrgyz bank and a Turkish foundation. For a Kyrgyz card, applicants provide scans of passports, an email, and a Russian taxpayer number; access details are sent via messenger, and the card is posted to Moscow within about 14 days for 42,990 rubles. The Turkish card process can take up to 21 business days, with a local tax number requiring more documentation and an apostilled power of attorney. The maximum reported cost for a Turkish card is 89,990 rubles.
For those considering independent travel, Belarus emerges as the simplest and cheapest option, with Kyrgyz intermediaries as a secondary route. However, it is essential to acknowledge the growing risk of fraud with remote card issuance.