The Bank of Russia has begun testing cross-border QR code payments based on the Faster Payments System (FPS) in collaboration with a number of foreign countries. 

The goal of the initiative is to enable Russians to not only transfer funds but also pay for goods and services while traveling abroad. Pilot projects are already underway to integrate Russian QR systems with similar solutions in other countries. In the near future, the technology will be launched in four countries, and preliminary agreements have been reached with three others.

One of the first countries where such payments are already working is Turkey. VTB, Sber, and MTS Bank previously announced the launch of this technology there. To pay, it is enough to tell the seller the word karekod (QR code in Turkish), after which the operation is carried out through the usual terminal with a screen. Commissions are either absent or minimal.

In addition to Turkey, Belarus and Tajikistan are among the first partner countries. The fourth country has not been officially named, but it is assumed that it may be Abkhazia.

The system will be as similar as possible to the already familiar QR code payments in Russia. The difference is in possible additional commissions, which are formed taking into account all participants in the operation: from the Russian to the foreign bank. The commission amount may vary depending on the country and the specific transaction conditions. It is also not yet clear at what rate the transactions will be carried out: the exchange may occur either at the rate of the Russian bank or at a separately agreed rate. It is expected that the final amount to be paid will be displayed on the user's smartphone screen.

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