Tinkoff launches international transfers via phone number

Now, Tinkoff customers can make transfers to 10 banks in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, namely: Dushanbe City, Alif Bank, CB Kyrgyzstan, Universal Bank, the National Bank of Uzbekistan, ANORBANK, Kompanion Bank, Commerce Bank of Tajikistan, the International Bank of Tajikistan, and Imon International. By the end of 2021, Tinkoff plans to expand this list to include more countries, notably Armenia, alongside a further 8-10 banks. In 2022, the company will work to enable phone number transfers across the remaining CIS countries as well as other international regions. Tinkoff also plans to launch reverse transfers from the CIS to Russia, as well as enable transfers between customers of foreign banks that are part of Tinkoff’s network. 

International transfers by phone number can be made through the Tinkoff mobile app or within a customer’s personal account on the Tinkoff website. In the phone number field, customers must select the prefix of the destination country. After this, they simply need to follow the same process as for any standard transfer within Russia – enter the relevant phone number or select it from among their contacts, choose the transfer recipient’s bank, enter the amount, and click ‘Transfer’. The money will then be credited to the recipient’s account instantly. 

Currency exchange is carried out at the rate set by the recipient country’s central bank (with a deviation of up to 2%). This rate is fixed upon entering the transfer amount. In case of sharp fluctuations, the exchange rate will reflect market volatility. Either way, customers will be notified in advance (prior to completion of the transaction) about how much money they are transferring and how much money the recipient will receive. 

Transfers are capped at RUB 150,000. Up to 20 transfers totalling no more than USD 5,000 equivalent are allowed per day, and up to RUB 1.5 m per month. International transfers are included in the free transfer limits available to Tinkoff customers. The limit amount depends on the customer’s plan. For instance, Tinkoff Black card holders can make free international transfers of up to RUB 20,000. Above this limit, transfers will be charged at a rate of 1%.