In short: Suits Russians who need a Mir card in Belarusian rubles for Belarus and Russia, with no ATM fee. The main limitation is the EU transaction ban on the bank.
Terms for non-residents
- Non-residents
- Yes
- Remote account opening
- No
- Visa / Mastercard
- Check with the bank
- Russian-language support
- Yes
- Card for non-residents
- Mir 'MORE' in BYN, valid for 3 years
- Card cost
- free issuance, servicing BYN 36 a year (per a myfin.by review from February 2025)
- Mir at ATMs
- no fee, limit BYN 1,000 a month (per a mail.ru review from January 2026)
- Systemic importance
- group II bank for 2026
- Restriction
- EU transaction ban on the bank since 2 December 2025
Pros
- A card in the Russian Mir payment system, familiar to Russians
- No issuance fee; servicing is about BYN 36 a year (per a February 2025 review)
- ATMs accept Russian Mir cards without a fee
- A systemically important group II bank within the VTB group
Cons and limits
- EU transaction ban on the bank since 2 December 2025: payments routed through foreign banks may be declined
- The Mir card is not suitable for payments in Europe or on foreign websites
- The first visit to a branch is mandatory; accounts are not opened remotely
- The fees come from a review, so the terms for non-residents should be checked with the bank
## About the bank
VTB (Belarus) is part of the VTB group and operates as a separate Belarusian bank. For 2026 the National Bank classes it as a systemically important group II bank. The bank's website is vtb.by.
The app is available in Russian. The brand is familiar to Russians, but legally this is not the Russian VTB: the laws and tariffs here are Belarusian.
## Account for non-residents
Non-residents open an account and card in person at a branch; the first product cannot be opened remotely, as is the general rule for Belarusian banks. A Russian citizen needs a passport, and the bank names the other documents on site.
For foreigners the bank offers the Mir 'MORE' card in Belarusian rubles. According to a myfin.by review from February 2025, it is issued free of charge, servicing costs BYN 36 a year, and the card is valid for 3 years. Check these figures against the bank's tariffs, as they may have changed. In 2026 the bank also offers a Belkart card.
## Cards and payments
Mir is convenient in Belarus and Russia, where it is accepted, but the Mir 'MORE' card is not suitable for payments in Europe, on foreign websites or in international services. Belkart is needed if you pay in Russia, where it works as a domestic card.
A Russian Mir card is accepted at VTB (Belarus) ATMs without a fee. The limit in a mail.ru review from January 2026 is BYN 1,000 a month, and settlement is in Belarusian rubles at the issuer's rate. By comparison, other banks charge around 3-4%.
## Sanctions and risks
An EU transaction ban on VTB (Belarus) has applied since 2 December 2025. It was part of the 19th sanctions package, adopted on 23 October 2025, and covers three Belarusian banks: VTB, Alfa-Bank and Sber Bank. For a cardholder this means:
- transfers and payments routed through European banks may be declined;
- services with European infrastructure sometimes block such cards;
- inside Belarus, and in settlements with Russia by Mir and Belkart, the restrictions are less noticeable.
If you need to pay abroad, keep a backup card from another bank.
## Fees and limitations
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Issuance of the Mir 'MORE' card | free (myfin.by, February 2025) |
| Servicing | BYN 36 a year |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Cash withdrawal with a Russian bank's Mir card | no fee, limit BYN 1,000 a month (mail.ru, January 2026) |
## Who it suits
The bank suits Russians who live in or often visit Belarus, receive money from Russia and pay with Mir and Belkart cards. Do not choose it as your only bank if you pay in Europe, pay for foreign subscriptions or rely on international transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Which card does VTB (Belarus) issue to non-residents?
A myfin.by review from February 2025 lists the 'MORE' card in the Mir payment system in Belarusian rubles. Issuance is free, servicing costs BYN 36 a year, and the card is valid for 3 years. The bank also has a Belkart card.
Can I open a VTB account in Belarus remotely?
No, a non-resident opens the first account and card in person at a branch. This is a general rule for Belarusian banks.
Does a Russian Mir card work at VTB ATMs in Belarus?
Yes. A mail.ru review from January 2026 names VTB and Belinvestbank as banks with no fee for cash withdrawals with a Mir card. The limit in the review is BYN 1,000 a month.
Why is VTB in Belarus called a sanctioned bank?
An EU transaction ban on the bank has applied since 2 December 2025 (19th sanctions package). This means that operations through European banks and services may not go through. Payments between Russia and Belarus are affected less.
Is it the same bank as VTB in Russia?
The Belarusian bank belongs to the VTB group, but it is a separate legal entity operating under Belarusian law. It does not replace an account or card of the Russian VTB.