In short: Suits a non-resident with a document proving the right to stay who wants a premium Visa Signature with cashback and business lounges. The card is issued only in person, and the price for foreigners is higher than for citizens.
Terms for non-residents
- Non-residents
- Yes
- Remote account opening
- No
- Visa / Mastercard
- Yes
- Russian-language support
- Yes
- Founded
- 2004 (registered with the National Bank in October 2004)
- Owner
- Solaris Finance Limited (strategic partner of ROX Group), the only shareholder listed on the Shareholder page
- Size
- KGS 53.25 billion in assets as of 30 June 2026; assets grew by 49.8% over the year
- License
- National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic license No. 053
- Kompanion Prime (Visa Signature): issue
- KGS 3,000 or USD 35 for citizens of Kyrgyzstan, KGS 5,000 or USD 55 for citizens of other countries (tariff from 12 October 2026)
- Prime servicing
- free in the first year, from the second year the same as the issue price; minimum balance 0
- Card production time
- 3-5 business days in Bishkek, 5-7 business days in the regions
- Incoming transfers to the card
- Visa Direct, SWIFT, top-up at the counter and terminals: free
- Card delivery
- free home delivery
Pros
- An official Visa Signature tariff with a separate column for citizens of other countries, and documents for non-residents described
- Public reporting and asset growth of 49.8% over the year
- Free incoming transfers to the card (Visa Direct, SWIFT)
- Strong privileges with a zero minimum balance: 2% cashback and business lounges
Cons and limits
- Visa Signature costs foreigners more than citizens of Kyrgyzstan: KGS 5,000 or USD 55 against KGS 3,000 or USD 35
- Issued only in person at a branch; the virtual Elkart+ is only for citizens of Kyrgyzstan
- A document proving the right to stay in the country is required
- Acceptance of Mir was suspended as early as October 2022
## About the bank
Kompanion Bank was registered by the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan in October 2004. The Shareholder page names one owner, Solaris Finance Limited, a strategic partner of ROX Group; percentage stakes are not disclosed. Its license is No. 053. At 30 June 2026 assets were KGS 53.25 billion (up 49.8% over the year).
## Account for non-residents
The official card page directly describes issuing for foreigners. You need a passport, a document proving the right to stay in Kyrgyzstan (residence permit, temporary residence or visa) and an application. The card is issued at any branch: production takes 3-5 business days in Bishkek and 5-7 in the regions.
The bank treats Russian citizens as "citizens of other countries" under the Visa Signature tariff if they confirm their stay. What exactly counts as confirmation for Russians, for example whether registration is accepted instead of a residence permit or a visa, is not spelled out on the page, so confirm the terms at a branch. Remote opening of Prime for non-residents is not stated.
## Cards and payments
The main card for foreigners is Kompanion Prime (Visa Signature) in soms and dollars. Under the tariff from 12 October 2026:
| Parameter | Citizens of Kyrgyzstan | Citizens of other countries |
|---|---|---|
| Issue | KGS 3,000 or USD 35 | KGS 5,000 or USD 55 |
| Servicing, first year | free | free |
| Servicing, from the second year | KGS 3,000 or USD 35 | KGS 5,000 or USD 55 |
Prime privileges: 2% money-back (up to KGS 2,000 or USD 20 a month), 3% a year on a balance above KGS 5,000 (not provided for a dollar account), four DragonPass business lounge visits a year and four visits to the Manas VIP lounge. Since 19 January 2026, a Manas visit requires payments of at least KGS 40,000 in the 35 days before the visit.
Incoming Visa Direct and SWIFT transfers to Visa cards are free, as are top-ups at the counter and terminals. For transfers from Russia to Kyrgyzstan the bank names Astrasend and Omnypay. The bank suspended acceptance of Mir on 4 October 2022, and since April 2024 these cards have not worked in the country. The bank does not report anything about the Faster Payments System (SBP) or UnionPay.
## Who it suits
- Non-residents with a residence permit, temporary residence or a visa who need a premium Visa with business lounges.
- Those who value free incoming Visa Direct and SWIFT transfers.
- Those who like free home delivery of the card.
If you do not have a document proving the right to stay and want to arrange the card in advance, compare with Bakai Bank and FINCA Bank.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Russian citizen get the Prime card?
A Russian citizen is treated as a citizen of another country if they confirm the right to stay with a document (residence permit, temporary residence or visa). Ask at a branch what exactly the bank accepts from Russians instead of these documents.
How much does Visa Signature cost for a foreigner?
Under the tariff from 12 October 2026, issue costs KGS 5,000 or USD 55, servicing is free in the first year, and from the second year it costs the same.
Can I get the card remotely?
The official page describes in-person issue at a branch for Visa Signature. The virtual Elkart+ in the app is available only to citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
What transfers does the card accept?
Incoming Visa Direct and SWIFT transfers and top-ups at the counter and terminals are free. For transfers from Russia the bank names Astrasend and Omnypay.
Does Mir work?
No. The bank suspended acceptance of Mir on 4 October 2022, and since April 2024 these cards have not been serviced in Kyrgyzstan at all.