In short: Suits non-residents who need an account and a Visa with a ruble or yuan account and a clear tariff. Issue and servicing are expensive, and transfers through Russian banks have been suspended since 2024.
Terms for non-residents
- Non-residents
- Yes
- Remote account opening
- Check with the bank
- Visa / Mastercard
- Yes
- Russian-language support
- Yes
- Founded
- 1990 (established on 6 November 1990 on the basis of the Kyrgyz office of the USSR Zhilsotsbank)
- Owner
- Babanov family: Aya Babanova held 98% of the shares, and on 2 March 2024 part of the shares was transferred to Omurbek Babanov
- Size
- KGS 192.8 billion in assets as of 30 June 2026, third in the country
- License
- National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic license No. 014 (reissued on 5 February 2025 because of the name change); Islamic window: license 014/1
- Account opening by a non-resident
- opening a card account and connecting to MBANK: USD 70 (official tariff for non-residents)
- Visa Gold for non-residents
- issue USD 7, servicing from the second year USD 100 a year, minimum balance KGS 5,000 on the som account
- MBANK Premium for non-residents
- issue USD 150, servicing from the second year USD 250 a year
- Card account currencies
- soms, dollars, euros, Russian rubles and Chinese yuan (under the non-resident tariff)
- Daily withdrawal limit
- KGS 450,000, USD 10,000 or EUR 10,000 under the non-resident tariff
Pros
- Publishes a separate Visa tariff and card accounts for non-residents, including rubles and yuan
- Third-largest bank in Kyrgyzstan by assets, with more than 80 branches and 400 ATMs
- Principal member of Visa International; also issues Mastercard and Elkart
- A strong mobile app, Apple Pay and international transfers through Thunes
Cons and limits
- Issue and servicing cost non-residents noticeably more than residents: USD 70 for the account and USD 7 for the card, then USD 100 a year
- Since 16 August 2024 the bank has suspended transfers through Russian banks in both directions
- Instant card issue at card machines and in the app is designed for residents of Kyrgyzstan
- A document list for Russian citizens is not published on the official pages
## About the bank
MBANK was founded on 6 November 1990 on the basis of the Kyrgyz office of the USSR Zhilsotsbank, which had operated since 1988. Since 2025 the bank has been called OJSC Mbank (previously Commercial Bank KYRGYZSTAN); National Bank license No. 014 was reissued on 5 February 2025 precisely because of the name change. At 30 June 2026 assets were KGS 192.8 billion, third place in the country after Eldik Bank and ABank.
The bank is privately owned: Aya Babanova held 98% of the shares, and on 2 March 2024 part of the stake passed to her brother Omurbek Babanov. The bank has more than 80 branches and more than 400 ATMs, and an Islamic window.
## Account for non-residents
The key point for a non-resident at MBANK is the published tariff "Issue and servicing of Visa cards on MBANK BINs for non-residents". A foreigner is registered as a non-resident and pays under this tariff. For Visa Gold: opening a card account and connecting to MBANK costs USD 70, issue USD 7, and servicing from the second year USD 100 a year; the minimum balance on the som account is KGS 5,000.
A separate document list for Russian citizens is not published on the official pages, so find out the package at a branch beforehand: a passport is certainly needed, and the bank may request additional information during identification. For a foreigner the realistic scenario is a personal visit; the bank does not state remote opening for non-residents.
## Cards and payments
Physical Visa Gold (including an Islamic version) and Premium cards are issued for non-residents. A non-resident card account can be kept not only in soms, dollars and euros but also in Russian rubles and Chinese yuan.
For residents the bank also offers a virtual Visa, Elkart and Mastercard World Elite.
Mir cards have not worked in Kyrgyzstan since April 2024, and UnionPay is not in the bank's catalogue. The bank does not report anything about accepting the Faster Payments System (SBP) from Russia. Since 16 August 2024, transfers through Russian banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, MTS) have been suspended in both directions. The bank offers international transfers through the Thunes service, which covers 160 countries.
## Who it suits
- Non-residents who need a card account in rubles or yuan and a clear published tariff.
- Those who value the app, Apple Pay and international transfers through Thunes.
- Premium cardholders who need business lounges: Mastercard World Elite fits.
It does not suit those who want to open an account without a visit or who count on transfers from Russian banks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the bank called now?
OJSC Mbank. It was previously called Commercial Bank KYRGYZSTAN; the National Bank reissued the license with the new name on 5 February 2025. It is the same bank with the same license number.
How much does a Visa card cost for a non-resident?
Under the official tariff of 5 November 2025: opening a card account and connecting to MBANK costs USD 70, issuing Visa Gold USD 7, and servicing from the second year USD 100 a year. For MBANK Premium, issue costs USD 150 and servicing USD 250 a year.
Can I open an account at MBANK without coming to Kyrgyzstan?
There is no official confirmation of remote opening for non-residents. Instant issue at card machines and in the app is designed for residents, so plan a visit to a branch.
Does Apple Pay work at MBANK?
Yes. MBANK cards can be added to Apple Pay: the service launched in the country in late July 2026, and the bank was among the first.
Can I receive transfers from Russia?
Since 16 August 2024 the bank has suspended transfers through Russian banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, MTS). Incoming payments went through ruble details via banks that are not sanctioned. Before sending, confirm the method with the bank.