Since its 2016 debut by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI has grown significantly. The extensive use of UPI highlights how urgently safe, effective, and user-friendly payment systems are needed. Indian travellers can now use this cashless way of spending in seven countries where UPI payments are accepted.
List Of Countries UPI Is Accepted
1. France
The first spot in France to accept UPI payments was the Eiffel Tower, and retailers and tourism-related businesses in France and Europe have followed suit. This announcement was made at the celebration of India’s Republic Day in 2024 hosted by the Indian Embassy in France.
2. UAE
In August 2021, one of the top financial institutions in the United Arab Emirates, Mashreq, teamed up with NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) to offer UPI acceptance throughout the country. Indian tourists can use UPI in over 60,000 retail outlets in the UAE.
3. Bhutan
On July 13, 2021, the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan and NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international division of the National Payment Corporation of India, teamed to enable and execute BHIM UPI QR-based payments in Bhutan. This has made the beauty of Bhutan easily accessible to Indians
Now that UPI is accessible in Nepal, Indian tourists can use their phones to scan QR codes and make hassle-free payments. It is the outcome of NIPL’s partnership with Fonepay, the top payment network in Nepal. On February 12, 2024, India’s UPI services were introduced in Mauritius. The range of digital financial services available in Mauritius is further expanded with the introduction of RuPay card services. UPI payments are currently accepted in Sri Lanka at a number of locations, including Dialogue Experience Centres, especially at the Bandaranaike International Airport and the Dialogue Iconic Experience Centre in Colombo. Indian travellers can use their UPI apps to make payments by scanning the LankaQR code; in other words, UPI can be used at most locations that accept digital payments made possible by the LankaPay network.4. Nepal
5. Mauritius
6. Sri Lanka
7. Singapore
NPCI International has made it possible to pay via UPI-powered apps including BHIM, Google Pay, Paytm and PhonePe, among other apps. It has made it possible for Indian tourists to make quick, easy, and safe payments to more than 30,000 Singaporean retailers, improving their trip to the island metropolis.
How Does UPI Work Abroad?
To make UPI payments in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, users must first register their bank account with a mobile application that supports UPI. When the bank account is linked, you are good to go! You don’t need to share details like bank account number for using UPI internationally.
Indian visitors can use their UPI-enabled app to pay by scanning a QR code on the Eiffel Tower website. Singapore was the first country to offer cross-border Person-to-person (P2P) payment services. India and Singapore have introduced a PayNow and UPI connection. In Singapore, some businesses have already made it possible to accept UPI payments via QR codes.
UPI has now made our lives easier not only in our own country but also when we travel abroad!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Pro & UPI_NPCI/X
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