In short: Suits those who want a large bank with Russian-language service and pay mainly within Belarus and Russia. The main limitation is the EU transaction ban on the bank since 2 December 2025.
Terms for non-residents
- Non-residents
- Yes
- Remote account opening
- No
- Visa / Mastercard
- Yes
- Russian-language support
- Yes
- How to open
- In person at a branch only, with a Russian passport
- Condition for non-residents
- Solutions Package: BYN 250 to connect (no fee for a payroll project)
- Account currencies
- BYN, USD, EUR, RUB, CNY
- Urgent card issuance
- BYN 30 in Minsk, BYN 40 in the regions
- Restriction
- EU transaction ban on the bank since 2 December 2025
Pros
- A systemically important group I bank: in 2026 it is counted among the largest banks in the country
- Belkart, which can be used for payments in Russia
- Accounts in five currencies: BYN, USD, EUR, RUB and CNY
- App and support in Russian
Cons and limits
- EU transaction ban, plus UK and Canadian sanctions: payments through foreign banks and services may be declined
- A non-resident needs the Solutions Package for BYN 250 and an in-person visit
- App and internet banking outages in July and October 2026
- Belarusian Visa and Mastercard cards do not work in Russia
## About the bank
The bank started as Mezhtorgbank (licence issued on 28 January 1999) and has been called Alfa-Bank since 13 November 2008. For 2026 the National Bank classes it as a systemically important group I bank. Assets were BYN 7.136 billion as of 30 September 2024. Per the bank's 2023 annual report, ABH Belarus Limited (Cyprus) holds 64.46% and Alfa-Bank JSC (Russia) holds 35.53%.
## Account for non-residents
Accounts and cards are opened for Russians. A personal visit to any branch and a passport are required; citizens of other countries can use a travel document or a document provided for by an international agreement. The bank states that remote opening is not available to non-residents.
Non-residents are served only within the Solutions Package, which costs BYN 250 to connect (no fee for a payroll project). Accounts can be opened in BYN, USD, EUR, RUB and CNY. Urgent card issuance at a branch costs BYN 30 in Minsk and BYN 40 in the regions.
## Cards and payments
| Card | Where it works | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa or Mastercard | In Belarus and abroad, except Russia | Does not work in Russia or in Russian online shops (bank statement) |
| Belkart Premium or Maximum | In Belarus and Russia | Included in the Smart and A-Private packages |
For payments in Russia, take Belkart. Russian Mir cards are accepted at the bank's ATMs; settlement is in BYN at the issuer's rate, and the fee depends on the Russian bank. Check with the bank how SBP (Faster Payments System) works.
## Sanctions and risks
An EU transaction ban on Alfa-Bank has applied since 2 December 2025 (19th package, adopted on 23 October 2025). Among the reasons, the EU cited the use of Russia's SPFS financial messaging system, Mir and SBP. Earlier the bank came under Canadian sanctions (22 November 2022) and UK sanctions (3 October 2024). In practice:
- European banks and services may refuse operations with the bank, including payments with its Visa or Mastercard cards;
- transfers through foreign intermediaries go through with reservations or do not go through;
- settlements within Belarus and between Russia and Belarus, including by Belkart, are not directly tied to the EU ban.
On 9 October 2026 the mobile app and internet banking failed for customers in Belarus and abroad; double charges are possible, and the bank promised refunds. Customers also complained of interruptions in July 2026. If a payment hangs, keep the receipt.
## Who it suits
The bank suits those who live in or often visit Belarus, pay within the country and in Russia, and want a large operator with Russian-language support. It is not the best choice for payments through European services, subscriptions or transfers via foreign intermediaries, because the EU ban creates a risk of declines.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open an account at Alfa-Bank Belarus remotely?
No. The bank states that non-residents cannot open accounts or order cards remotely. The first visit to a branch is mandatory; after that some services are available in the app.
How much does servicing a non-resident cost?
Non-residents are served within the Solutions Package, which costs BYN 250 to connect. No fee is charged for a payroll project. Urgent card issuance costs BYN 30 in Minsk and BYN 40 in the regions.
Do Alfa-Bank Belarus cards work in Russia?
Belarusian Visa and Mastercard cards do not work for payments in Russia or in Russian online shops; the bank itself warns of this. In Russia, payments are made with Belkart.
Why is the bank called sanctioned?
An EU transaction ban on the bank has applied since 2 December 2025, Canadian sanctions since 2022 and UK sanctions since 2024. In practice this means a risk of declined payments and transfers through foreign banks. Settlements within Belarus and with Russia usually go through without such problems.
Do Alfa-Bank ATMs accept Mir cards?
Yes, the bank's ATMs accept Russian Mir cards. The fee is set by the issuer: in a mail.ru review from January 2026 the benchmark for Alfa-Bank is about 4%, with a limit of BYN 1,000 a month.