Russian citizens living in Europe have complained about restrictions on transactions on their cards and accounts at Revolut Bank, Forbes writes, citing discussions in thematic chat rooms on Telegram and the company’s customers who have encountered such problems.
The reason was the tightening of the bank’s requirements for documents proving the right to live in Europe, as well as difficulties in obtaining a residence permit or long-term visas.
One of the interlocutors said that a few weeks before the expiration of his long-term visa, the bank asked him for documents that allow him to live in the EU. At the same time, the temporary residence documents issued by the French prefecture for humanitarian reasons were not satisfied with the bank. The company also failed to take into account that card transactions are made in the country of residence.
The bank support service required to provide a standard residence permit card (Titre de sejour) or a D visa for a period of 180 days. As a result, the account was limited and incoming transfers were blocked, but at the same time the client could spend the money left on the card. It was promised to remove the restrictions when it meets the requirements of the bank.
Citizens of Russia living in Latvia have faced the same problems. The bank sent automatic notifications two to three weeks before the expiration date of the documents with a request to confirm residence in Latvia with a visa or residence permit card.
Some interlocutors reported that the bank was not satisfied with the D visa, issued for two months. The bank support service in this case referred to the fact that the blocking of incoming transfers occurs automatically closer to the expiration date of the documents, and that as soon as one of the two documents is provided, all the capabilities of the account will be restored on the same day.
- Revolut spokesman Paddy Crowley, in response to a request from the publication, confirmed that the bank had tightened the formal requirements for Russians. According to him, in connection with the restrictions that the EU has imposed on the citizens of Russia and Belarus, all Russian and Belarusian passport holders who want to use Revolut services must present an extended residence permit or a work visa, which gives permission to stay in the EU for more than 180 days.
- Crowley also confirmed that Revolut does not accept certificates confirming the submission of documents for the extension of a residence permit or visa, utility bills, and expenses in the host country as justification for unlocking.
The British digital bank Revolut was founded by Russian Nikolai Storonsky and Ukrainian Vlad Yatsenko in 2015. Storonsky renounced Russian citizenship after the start of the special operation. The bank serves more than 30 million individuals and more than 500,000 legal entities. Fintech provides services in more than 200 regions, allows you to work with 29 currencies.
Author:
anastasia mariana
Source: RB
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