“Cooling-off period”: SIM card issues in Russia

In October, tourists arriving in Russia faced an unpleasant situation: mobile internet massively disappeared from their phones. And SMS messages, for example, with a bank code, were not arriving. Russian citizens returning from abroad also began to experience similar inconveniences. All this is related to the “cooling-off period” – a temporary blocking of mobile internet and SMS on a SIM card upon entering/returning to Russian territory. This is a drone protection mechanism that requires confirmation that the SIM card is being used by a subscriber. We have gathered all important information on the topic and explain how to regain network access.

Foreign SIM cards

They were the first to fall under the “cooling-off period”. Restrictions on SMS messages and mobile internet on them (as well as foreign eSIM) appeared as early as October 6. Initially, the blocking on roaming SIM cards only affected some western regions of the country, but from October 6, it spread to the entire territory of Russia. The cooling-off period begins from the moment of registration in the Russian network and lasts 24 hours for all roaming subscribers in the networks of Russian telecom operators. It does not apply to voice calls. An additional problem is the automatic selection of the operator's network, after which the timer can restart. Therefore, users are advised to choose one specific network and remain within its coverage. This, of course, significantly and negatively affects a tourist's ability to travel around the country.

Russian SIM cards

From November 10, telecom operators launched a similar waiting period for them as well. Mobile internet and SMS stop working upon return from international roaming or if the SIM card is inactive for 72 hours. Restrictions apply even when entering the Russian Federation from Belarus and other neighboring countries if the SIM card has been registered in international roaming at least once. Therefore, the Ministry of Digital Development recommended turning off the SIM card before leaving Russia. Internet and SMS will work, but only if it is turned off for no longer than 72 hours. We explain below what to do if the trip lasts more than 3 days.

How to regain network access for Russian subscribers

First, let's look at a simpler situation. You can get back online from your phone using a captcha: the telecom operator should send a message with information on how to remove the imposed restrictions and a link for authorization using a captcha. This way, the subscriber confirms that a real person is using the SIM card. Another option is to call the call center. Any hardware solution, including a drone, will not be able to perform such actions and pass the verification. To pass the captcha, you will not need to authorize through “Gosuslugi” (Public Services portal) or provide personal information.

Unlock links for the “Big Four” operators: Beeline, MTS, T2, Megafon.

Call center numbers:

• Beeline: 8 (800) 700-06-11
• MTS: 8 (800) 250-08-90
• T2: 8 (800) 101-06-11
• MegaFon: 8 (800) 550-05-00

What to do with a foreign SIM card

Let's immediately answer a logical question: no, simply buying a Russian SIM card will not work. To do this, from January 1, 2025, you will need to obtain a SNILS, register on “Gosuslugi” (Public Services portal), and go to a bank to submit biometrics. Only after that will you be able to conclude a contract with a telecom operator. The procedure can take about 7 days. And many tourists come to Russia for exactly that period.

Using someone else's SIM card is also not an option. Previously, guides bought several cards for tourist groups, but new rules came into effect on November 1, 2025, according to which one subscriber should have no more than 20 SIM cards. If the limit is exceeded, operators are obliged to suspend service for all numbers registered to that subscriber.

Using open free Wi-Fi networks has also become more difficult: owners of such access points must identify users by phone number or passport data. This means an SMS message must be received on the phone (and they don't work during the “cooling-off period”) or a call must be made.

Thus, roaming has become the main source of communication for tourists. In theory, a foreign citizen also needs to wait out the mandatory blocking period (24 hours) and pass verification via captcha. According to some reports, the SMS service starts working after 24 hours, and mobile internet returns after 36 hours. Beeline has already stated that in their network, passing the captcha will allow users not to wait until the end of the 24-hour blocking.

What else can be done

• ask fellow travelers to share Wi-Fi from their device – such a connection will not require verification via SMS or a call;
• download offline maps for city navigation in advance;
• withdraw and exchange cash in advance if your bank asks for SMS confirmation for ATM withdrawals in another country.