Russia’s national payments operator says Visa and Mastercard-branded cards no longer add value in the country, as domestic processing has fully replaced the U.S. networks since their 2022 exit. As legacy cards reach their expiration dates, the foreign brands are set to disappear from Russia’s market.
NSPK: Visa and Mastercard ‘Absent’ as Domestic Rails Take Over
Dmitry Dubynin, CEO of the National Payment Card System (NSPK), said cards issued under the Visa and Mastercard brands “don’t provide any value” in Russia because their operations are supported by the national system. NSPK operates the Mir card network and the domestic processing infrastructure that routes Russian card transactions.
Visa and Mastercard suspended operations in Russia in March 2022. Since then, Russian-issued cards bearing their logos have continued to function for in-country purchases because transactions are processed by NSPK. However, they no longer work for cross-border payments, foreign online merchants, or outside Russia.
Expiration Cycle to Phase Out Foreign-Branded Cards
Most payment cards are replaced every three to five years. As the remaining Visa and Mastercard-branded cards issued by Russian banks reach expiration, they are being swapped for alternatives such as Mir. This process is expected to complete the effective withdrawal of the international brands from Russia’s retail payments landscape.
Mir has become the primary card brand for domestic transactions. Some banks have offered limited co-badged solutions for specific use cases, but cross-border acceptance remains constrained compared with pre-2022 conditions.
Cross-Border Limitations Persist
While everyday in-country payments have remained largely stable under NSPK and Mir, international card acceptance for Russian consumers and businesses remains restricted. Merchants and ATMs outside Russia generally do not accept Russian-issued Visa and Mastercard cards, and Mir’s acceptance abroad is limited.
Wider Payments Context
The Bank of Russia has promoted Mir’s expansion and is piloting a digital ruble as an alternative payment rail. These efforts underscore the country’s shift toward domestic infrastructure and alternative settlement mechanisms following the exit of major international card networks.