Western Union Alternatives to Send Money to Russia in 2023

On March 1st, 2022, Russia was hit by international sanctions, making it very difficult to buy Russian rubles abroad or convert foreign currency into Russian rubles. In addition to international sanctions, companies have also engaged in private boycotts against Russia. This includes many international money transfer companies like Western Union and MoneyGram.

But even in 2023, there is still a way to access Russian rubles (RUB) with Profee, although restrictions may apply.

In this guide, you will learn if you can use the Western Union alternative to Russia now and how to send money to Russia with Profee's mobile money transfer and multi-currency mobile app.

Can I Send Money to Russia With Western Union in 2023?

No, Western Union has suspended their international money transfer services to and from Russia. Western Union's services to Belarus have also been suspended.

Western Union is not the only money transfer service to do this though. Almost all of the other major online money transfer companies have also suspended their services, making it very difficult to buy Russian rubles or remit money to Russian friends and family.

Here is a list of popular money transfer services, all of which no longer serve Russian corridors as of 2023:

• Western Union
• MoneyGram
• Revolut
• Remitly
• Wise
• OFX

Western Union Alternatives to Send Money to Russia in 2023

International sanctions via the SWIFT network and private boycotts from companies like Western Union have limited people's options to make money transfers to the country. Below, we discuss potential ways to still send money abroad to Russia:

1 — Emergency Transfer of Funds to Russia

If you know a foreigner living or temporarily destitute in Russia, then their nation's embassy in Russia may be able to assist you. For example, in some cases, funds can be wired through the U.S. Department of State to U.S. citizens in Russia.

This option will require you to reach out to the relevant embassy and request case-by-case assistance for foreign nationals (or dual citizens) in Russia.

2 — Cryptocurrency

Some people have reported resorting to cryptocurrencies to send money to individuals in Russia. However, this is a rapidly changing and volatile industry. It is best to inquire directly with your cryptocurrency company and crypto wallet about money transfers into or out of Russia.

3 — Send Money to Russia With Profee

MasterCard, Visa, and other card payment systems have suspended operations in Russia, meaning that MasterCard and Visa cards issued outside of Russia will not work at Russian ATMs or vendors. However, cards issued inside Russia will continue to work as long as the transactions made with the card are done within Russia.

If you or a family member has a MasterCard, Visa, or MIR card issued in Russia, then Profee may be the best option for you right now. Profee is currently the only money transfer provider that offers international transfers to Russia.

Profee's GBP-RUB exchange rate hovers around 2.5% above the mid-market rate, which is an exchange rate fee that you will have to pay for the service.

Learn more about their product, fees, and customer service with our in-depth review of Profee.

How to Send Money to Russia With Profee

Here's how to send the Russian ruble with Profee:

1. Download the Profee app and sign up for an account;
2. Input your EU or UK debit or credit card details;
3. Input receiver's card details (must be issued in Russia);
4. Specify amount you want sent to Russian card;
5. Confirm the quick card-to-card transfer.

Sanctioned Banks in Russia

If your recipient's card was issued by a sanctioned bank, then we recommend that the recipient in Russia applies for a card with an unsanctioned bank. Money transfers and card transfers may still be possible with Profee if you send money to a Russian card issued by an unsanctioned bank.

The following are Russian banks that were sanctioned and removed from the SWIFT communication system on March 1st, 2022:

• SberBank,
• Tinkoff,
• Gazprombank,
• Bank Otkritie,
• Novikombank,
• Promsvyazbank,
• Rossia Bank,
• Sovcombank,
• VEB,
• VTB.

If a sanctioned bank issued your recipient's card, then we recommend that the recipient in Russia applies for a card with an unsanctioned bank. Money transfers and card transfers may still be possible with Profee if you send money to a Russian card issued by an unsanctioned bank.

According to Profee's website as of June 28th, 2023, the company continues to transfer funds to VISA, Mastercard, and MIR cards issued by non-sanctioned banks in Russia, which include:

• Raiffeisen,
• Pochta,
• UniCredit,
• Home Credit Bank,
• Citibank,
• Russian Standard Bank,
• Renaissance Credit,
• Credit Europe Bank,
• Ozon,
• Qiwi.

Can I Send Money to Russia From the USA With Western Union?

It is not possible at the moment for Americans to send money to Russia with either Western Union or Profee. Profee currently only opens accounts for customers who have residency or a bank account in the EU or the UK.

If you live in the UK or the EU, you may also try to speak directly with a representative of your bank to send money to an unsanctioned bank in Russia. This will likely require considerable consultation and documentation, but you should reach out to your bank for specific details.

Read our guides on how to open a bank account in the UK without residency or how to open a bank account in Germany as a foreigner to learn about your options.

References Used In This Guide

1. Wikipedia. SWIFT ban against Russian banks. Accessed 20 September 2022.
2. Western Union. Sending money to and from Russia and Belarus. 29 April 2022.
3. U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia. Emergency Transfer of Funds to Russia. Accessed 20 September 2022.
4. Gov.uk. Foreign travel advice: Russia. Accessed 20 September 2022.
5. Wise. Send money to Russia. Accessed 20 September 2022.
6. CDLA. Is it Illegal to Send Money to Russia? 30 April 2022.
7. Protocol.com. Money-transfer companies are getting swept into the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Accessed 20 September 2022.
8. Profee. Send money from France to Russia. Accessed 20 September 2022.