In short: Suits a foreigner who needs a Visa card in Kyrgyzstan: conditions for foreigners are published and the virtual card is free. The main limit is that Visa and Mastercard cards of Kyrgyz banks work in Russia only under heavy restrictions.
Terms for non-residents
- Non-residents
- Yes
- Remote account opening
- Partly
- Visa / Mastercard
- Yes
- Russian-language support
- Yes
- Founded
- 1998; the bank absorbed BTA Bank in 2020
- Owner
- Ibragimov family and minority shareholders; per the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange in June 2025: Sergey Ibragimov 21.12%, Timur Ibragimov 20.04%, Stella Ibragimova 12.38%
- Size
- KGS 138.3 billion (about USD 1.58 billion) in assets as of 30 June 2026
- License
- National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic license No. 043 (also 043/1)
- Visa Gold for foreigners
- free issue, servicing KGS 2,000 or USD 20 a year (tariff of 19 May 2026)
- Visa Platinum and Infinite for foreigners
- Platinum: KGS 10,000 or USD 100 a year; Infinite: KGS 15,000 or USD 150 a year, minimum balance KGS 100,000 or USD 1,200
- Virtual Visa Gold
- free issue and servicing for foreign citizens; issued in the app, up to two virtual cards per currency
- Daily limits for foreigners
- ATM withdrawals up to KGS 500,000 or USD 6,000, up to 20 transactions; at tills and terminals up to KGS 500,000 or USD 6,000
- Withdrawals at other banks' ATMs
- 1% at other Kyrgyz banks' ATMs (minimum KGS 50 or USD 1); abroad 1% (minimum KGS 250 or USD 3)
Pros
- A document list and a separate card tariff for foreign citizens are published
- Virtual Visa and Mastercard cards for foreigners with no issue or servicing fee
- High daily limits: up to KGS 500,000 for cash withdrawals and up to KGS 1,000,000 for payments at merchants
- One of the five largest banks in the country; the app works with Apple Pay
- A broad range: Visa, Mastercard, Elkart, premium, virtual and credit cards
Cons and limits
- Foreigners pay more for servicing than residents: Platinum KGS 10,000 a year against KGS 3,000, Infinite KGS 15,000 against KGS 10,000
- The bank classes Visa and Mastercard transactions in Russia as heavily restricted
- A document proving lawful stay in Kyrgyzstan is required unless you are exempt from registration
- Withdrawals at other banks' ATMs cost 1%, and currency conversion adds 1.5% above the payment system rate
## About the bank
Bakai Bank (the BAKAI brand) has operated in Kyrgyzstan since 1998 and absorbed BTA Bank in 2020. At 30 June 2026 its assets were KGS 138.3 billion, about USD 1.58 billion at the National Bank rate. BAKAI is among the five largest banks in the country.
The bank is privately owned. According to the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange, in June 2025 the main shareholders were members of the Ibragimov family, with the rest held by minority shareholders. Bakai Bank does not appear on the lists of banks under US, EU and UK sanctions that emerged in 2025 and 2026.
## Account for non-residents
Among Kyrgyz banks, BAKAI is one of the few that publish a separate document list for foreign citizens and separate Visa card tariffs for them. A Russian citizen follows the same list:
- an application form and accession to the bank's service terms;
- a passport (with a certified translation if it is in a foreign language);
- a document proving lawful stay, including the Meken card.
Exemption from registration at the place of stay depends on the country and the length of stay. The bank states that online opening through the app is available but does not explain it separately for non-residents, so plan on visiting a branch.
## Cards and payments
The bank issues Visa, Mastercard and the national Elkart card; there are also premium, virtual and credit cards, including a credit Visa with a grace period of up to 65 days. The Visa UFC card is available to both residents and non-residents: servicing costs residents KGS 700 or USD 8, and non-residents KGS 2,000 or USD 20 a year.
| Card | Servicing for foreigners |
|---|---|
| Visa Gold | KGS 2,000 or USD 20 a year |
| Visa Platinum | KGS 10,000 or USD 100 a year |
| Visa Infinite | KGS 15,000 or USD 150 a year |
| Virtual Visa Gold | free |
Mir cards have not been serviced in Kyrgyzstan since April 2024, and UnionPay is not in the bank's catalogue, although these cards have largely gone out of use across the country. The bank publishes a list of countries where Visa and Mastercard transactions are unavailable or heavily restricted, and the Russian Federation is on it. Do not count on paying with a BAKAI card in Russia; abroad and online it works.
## Who it suits
- Foreigners who need a Visa card for payments abroad and online and are ready to come to Kyrgyzstan.
- Those who want a virtual card with no issue or servicing fee.
- Those who value high daily limits and an app with Apple Pay.
It does not suit you if you need a card that works in Russia.
Frequently asked questions
Will Bakai Bank open an account for a Russian citizen?
Yes. Russian citizens follow the general list for foreign citizens: an application form, a passport and a document proving lawful stay. The final decision rests with the bank after identification, and it may refuse.
How much does a Visa card cost for a foreigner?
Under the tariff of 19 May 2026, issuing Visa Gold is free and servicing costs KGS 2,000 or USD 20 a year. The virtual card is free for foreign citizens. Check current figures on the bank's website.
Can I get a BAKAI card remotely?
Partly. The account-opening page mentions online opening through the app, but it is not specified for non-residents. The virtual card is issued in the app, while a physical card is handed over at a branch.
Does Apple Pay work?
Yes. The service launched in the country in late July 2026, and BAKAI was among the first banks and received a Visa award for the launch.
Can I send money from Russia to a BAKAI card?
In November 2023, Russians received transfers to Kyrgyzstan through the Faster Payments System (SBP), with Bakai Bank named as the recipient. In August 2024 the bank reported that online transfers from Russia were unavailable for technical reasons.