The Belarusian banking sector remains a "safe haven" for those who need working Visa and Mastercardtools for paying for foreign services or travel. It's worth planning your budget in advance and buying tickets to Minsk to personally handle the issuance of the coveted "plastic." We have gathered up-to-date information on the cost of card issuance and bank requirements for non-residents.

Documents

Of the documents you need to bring from home, you will only need your passport. Most banks accept an internal Russian passport, but we recommend bringing your international passport. This will simplify verification in some international services in the future.

Action Plan in Belarus

Step 1: Local SIM Card

First thing after getting off the train or plane, head to a mobile phone store (MTS, A1, or life:). Belarusian banks are reluctant to link accounts to foreign numbers. For stable receipt of 3D-Secure SMS codes, you need a local number. Choose a tariff with the minimum monthly fee. After returning home, you will need to periodically perform a paid action (for example, send an SMS) so that the card is not canceled.

Step 2: Bank Visit and Application

Arrive at the branch at opening time: you might spend from 15 minutes to an hour in line, especially during the summer season when tourists from Russia come to Minsk to combine the useful (card issuance) with the pleasant (sightseeing). Check the operating hours of the chosen branch in advance.

The usual card production time is about a week; in Minsk, it's three days. An unembossed card can be obtained on the day of application, but this option may have its limitations, such as a cash withdrawal limit or the absence of automatic reissuance. If you need a named card but don't have time for a long wait, order the "express issuance" service. The card will be made in 1-2 business days. Open accounts in several currencies at once (EUR, USD, and definitely BYN for internal settlements and top-ups).

Step 3: App Setup and Verification

While you are at the branch, install the mobile application and make sure you can log in. Ask an employee to check if the service for receiving SMS codes for online payments is enabled.

How much does it cost to open a card

Conditions for foreign citizens often differ from tariffs for local residents. In most cases, you will have to pay either for the issuance itself or a "joining" fee to the bank.

BNB-Bank (Belarusian National Bank)

One of the most popular banks due to its excellent application.

For non-residents, the issuance of a physical Visa or Mastercard (e.g., Gold or "1-2-3") costs approximately 250 BYN. Additionally, you need to pay for the plastic card itself – 350 BYN. Periodically, the bank runs promotions (for example, in spring 2026) when the cost of the plastic card can be reduced to 50 BYN when applying at a branch.

Card production within 1 business day will cost approximately an additional 50 BYN. A minimum balance is usually not required, but a one-time fee for document verification may be applied.

MTBank

Offers special packages for travelers (e.g., "Optimum" package). Annual maintenance will cost 399 BYN. The validity period of issued products is three years, and the production time is three business days.

The bank is loyal to Russian phone numbers, but for stable operation, it is still better to get a local SIM card.

Priorbank (Raiffeisen Group)

The most reliable, but also the most expensive option in terms of "entry ticket."

A key feature is a guarantee deposit. To open an account in foreign currency (USD/EUR), a non-resident must deposit a minimum balance. As of April 2026, it is approximately 20,000 BYN plus 300 USD/EUR for each foreign currency card. These funds are frozen in the account and remain there until the account is closed. This option is more suitable for large savings than for small expenses.

After depositing, free virtual cards or paid plastic cards become available. The main advantage of this bank is its affiliation with the Raiffeisen Bank group.

StatusBank

A more budget-friendly option with simple conditions. Issuing a Mastercard World card for a non-resident will cost approximately 145 BYN. For urgent issuance, an additional 80 BYN will be requested. SMS notification costs about 4 BYN per month for a Belarusian number, and significantly more for a foreign number (up to 50 BYN). The downside is that the card here will be unembossed, in Belarusian rubles with conversion via yuan.

Zepter Bank

A good choice for those who value speed and premium service. Issuance of high-level cards (e.g., Visa Infinite) can cost around 650 BYN. The bank actively offers the "Card on the same day" service, and you can order the issuance in advance. The processing fee includes a standard Belkart system card for convenient balance top-ups.

Technobank

Opening a plastic Visa Classic will cost 190 BYN. There is no service fee, but cash withdrawals outside Belarus will incur an additional 2.5%. An account can be opened in Belarusian rubles, US dollars, and euros. If a virtual card is needed, they can also issue a MasterCard. Processing time is 3-7 business days in Minsk, and up to ten in other cities. You can order it at any branch, but to pick it up, you will need to visit the main office in Minsk.

How to top up your account

This is the most important question after receiving the plastic card. The simplest option is a direct transfer via "Mir": you issue a "Belkart-Mir" card (an analogue of our "Mir"). You transfer money from your Russian card to "Belkart" using the card or account number, and then convert it into dollars or euros within the application. This method is convenient because it allows you to avoid commissions when transferring funds from a Russian bank to a Belarusian one. The easiest way to do this is to issue a virtual card from "Belinvestbank." This will require an international passport and a Belarusian phone number.

Legal Obligations

You have become the owner of a foreign account. According to Russian legislation, you have obligations to the Federal Tax Service (FTS):

• Notification of opening: Within one month, you must inform the tax authority about opening an account. This can easily be done through the taxpayer's personal account on the nalog.ru website.

• Report on movement of funds (RMF): Annually (by June 1 of the following year), a report must be submitted if the total amount of credits or the balance in the account exceeds the equivalent of 600,000 rubles.

A trip to Belarus to get a card is a straightforward process that, with proper planning, takes 2-3 days. You gain a reliable financial instrument for travel and purchases, and at the same time, the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of Minsk.