Do Mir, UnionPay and JCB Cards Work in Bali?

Mir cards do not work in Bali: as of 21 October 2026, no Indonesian bank processes Mir, either at card terminals or ATMs. UnionPay and JCB are accepted at many hotels, restaurants, and major bank ATMs, but UnionPay cards issued by Russian banks are often declined, so Russian visitors still need to bring cash.

Why doesn't Mir work in Indonesia?

Mir is run by NSPK, an operator owned by the Central Bank of Russia. On 23 February 2024, the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added NSPK to its sanctions list. Since then banks in many countries have stopped or paused work with Mir, and Indonesia's commercial bank network has not opened acceptance.

In July 2026, the Russian outlet RIAMO, citing the SHOT channel, reported that Mir would soon work in Bali through a local operator, PT Mana Indonesia. As of 21 October 2026 we found no announcement from Bank Indonesia, any Indonesian bank, or the Mir operator confirming a launch. Treat that report as not in effect until there is an official announcement.

Visa and Mastercard cards issued by Russian banks have also not worked outside Russia since March 2022, when both networks suspended operations there.

What about UnionPay from a Russian bank?

On the network side, UnionPay is widely accepted. UnionPay International's official Indonesia page (checked 21 October 2026) says its cards are accepted at nearly 90% of merchants and over 90% of ATMs, including through Mandiri, BCA, BRI, and Bank Sinarmas, and names Bali as a main acceptance area.

The problem is the issuing bank. Some Russian UnionPay issuers are under US sanctions, and experiences shared by Russian travellers on forums and travel blogs through 2026 are inconsistent: cash withdrawals at BCA or Mandiri ATMs often work, but a card payment can go through at one shop and be declined next door. Before you fly:

• Ask your bank whether its UnionPay card is still enabled for foreign transactions and what the daily cash limit is.
• Check the fees. Both your bank and the ATM owner can charge; the breakdown is in our article on ATM fees with foreign cards.
• Withdraw at ATMs attached to a bank branch during opening hours. If the machine keeps your card, you can sort it out inside.
• Do not make UnionPay your only way to pay.

So how should Russian visitors pay?

• US dollars in cash, exchanged for rupiah at a money changer licensed by Bank Indonesia. How to spot a licensed changer and avoid counting tricks is in our Bali money exchange guide.
• Rupiah in cash for warungs, parking, beach tickets, and drivers. Shops in Indonesia must accept rupiah, and paying directly in dollars or crypto is not allowed.
• A UnionPay card as a backup for hotels and larger restaurants.
• A card from a non-Russian bank for online payments that only take international cards. The Directorate General of Immigration's press release at the e-VOA launch (November 2022) said payment is by credit or debit card on the Visa or Mastercard network; UnionPay was not mentioned. Without such a card, ask your hotel or a licensed travel agent for help.

You can settle the biggest cost of the trip before you leave, for example with an AccessiaPass hotel voucher, so the cash you carry only has to cover food, transport, and entry tickets.

If you carry cash in rupiah or foreign currency worth Rp100 million or more, you must declare it to Indonesian Customs on arrival at Ngurah Rai. Also check the foreign cash export limit in your departure country.

Japanese visitors: is JCB accepted?

Generally yes, at hotels, restaurants, and shops whose card terminals come from JCB partner banks. Mandiri and BRI opened JCB acceptance at their ATMs and terminals under partnerships signed in 2015. Warungs, small cafés, and scooter rentals usually take only cash or QRIS. If a cashier hesitates, ask them to try another bank's terminal.

There is also a newer option. At a press conference on 17 March 2026, Bank Indonesia said Japanese visitors can now pay at Indonesian merchants with Japanese QR payment apps through JPQR Global, after a licence for the operator Netstars was issued (Kompas, 18 March 2026). Connected apps are still limited; how it works is explained in our article on QRIS for foreign tourists.

Korean and Australian visitors?

Visa and Mastercard cards from Korea and Australia work wherever cards are accepted. American Express is accepted far less often, so bring a second card. Korean visitors can also use cross-border QRIS, launched by Bank Indonesia and the Bank of Korea in April 2026, if their banking app supports it.

Two things often inflate the bill:

• Dynamic currency conversion (DCC). If the terminal offers to charge you in AUD, KRW, or JPY, choose rupiah. DCC rates are usually worse than your bank's rate.
• A 2-3% card surcharge. Some shops add a fee for credit card payments. Whether that is allowed is explained in our article on credit card surcharges.

Quick summary by card

• Mir: does not work, for purchases or cash.
• Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard: does not work.
• Russian-issued UnionPay: sometimes works, mainly for cash; do not rely on it alone.
• JCB: works where cards are accepted, not at warungs.
• Visa/Mastercard from Japan, Korea, Australia: works; choose billing in rupiah.

FAQ

Can I withdraw rupiah with a Mir card at a Bali ATM?

No. As of 21 October 2026, no ATM network in Indonesia processes Mir.

Can the Rp150,000 foreign tourist levy be paid with UnionPay?

Do not count on it. Online payment uses international cards, and cards from Russian banks often fail. Bring a card from a non-Russian bank or ask about payment options at the airport counter on arrival.

Do money changers accept old US dollar notes?

Money changers in Bali usually give a lower rate for, or refuse, notes that are folded, torn, written on, or from old series. Bring clean notes and ask the rate per denomination before exchanging.