Planning a trip to Uzbekistan just got a little easier for Indian travellers. The country is set to accept India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) under a new partnership, allowing Indian tourists to make payments using their familiar UPI apps while travelling across the country. The move comes shortly after Uzbekistan announced a 30-day visa-free entry for Indian citizens, making the Central Asian destination even more accessible to Indian travellers.
Uzbekistan To Soon Accept UPI Transactions
According to the Telegraph India, the UPI partnership was signed between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre (NIPC), the operator of the country’s HUMO payment system. Under the agreement, Indian travellers will be able to scan Uzbekistan’s national interoperable QR code, UZQR, using their UPI-enabled apps to make instant merchant payments.
For Indian tourists, one of the biggest advantages of the move is convenience. Instead of carrying large amounts of local currency or relying entirely on international cards, travellers will be able to make direct merchant payments from their Indian bank accounts through UPI.
The facility is expected to work across retail, hospitality and service merchants integrated with Uzbekistan’s national QR infrastructure. Indian tourists, business travellers and students will be able to use the system once the arrangement becomes operational.
Just a day earlier, Uzbekistan announced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens, a move aimed at boosting tourism, business exchanges and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
With the visa requirement removed for stays of up to 30 days and UPI payments being introduced, planning a holiday in Uzbekistan could become significantly simpler for Indian tourists.
Also Read: Indians Can Visit Uzbekistan Visa-Free For 30 Days During PM Modi’s Trip; Deets Here!
11th Country To Accept UPI
With this partnership, Uzbekistan becomes the 11th country where UPI is accepted, joining Singapore, the UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece.
The expansion also reflects India’s growing push to take its digital payment infrastructure beyond the country’s borders. For travellers, however, the benefit is much simpler: less cash to carry, fewer payment hassles and a familiar way to pay while exploring a new country.
Also Read: Good News! Indian Travellers Can Now Pay With UPI For At The Top Burj Khalifa Ticket Online
And with Uzbekistan now offering Indian citizens visa-free travel for up to 30 days, the country has certainly made itself a little more tempting for that next international holiday.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Lukas Bischoff & website/npci.org.in
FAQs
Is Uzbekistan visa-free for Indian citizens?
Yes. Uzbekistan has announced 30-day visa-free entry for Indian passport holders, making it easier for Indians to visit the Central Asian country.
Will Indian tourists be able to pay with UPI in Uzbekistan?
Yes, once the system becomes operational, Indian tourists will be able to make merchant payments using their UPI apps, making it easier to pay without carrying large amounts of cash.
Why is the UPI rollout significant for Indian travellers?
Along with the new visa-free regime, UPI could make travelling to Uzbekistan more convenient by reducing payment-related hassles and allowing tourists to use a familiar Indian payment system.