UPI Goes Global: These 8 Countries Now Accept Indian Digital Payments
Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India’s most popular digital payment system, has expanded beyond Indian borders. What was once a domestic innovation is now being adopted internationally, giving Indian travelers seamless access to cashless transactions abroad.
Recently, Qatar became the latest country to launch UPI services. The rollout happened through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Qatar National Bank (QNB). This means that Indians traveling to Qatar can now pay at select outlets using their UPI apps, starting with Qatar Duty Free stores at airports.
UPI Payments Now Live in 8 Countries
The expansion of UPI is seen as a major step toward making digital payments global. So far, eight countries have enabled UPI-based transactions either through banking tie-ups or by integrating with their payment networks.
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Bhutan – The first country to introduce UPI payments. Tourists can use it for retail purchases and services.
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France – UPI can be used for select retail purchases, and fintech partnerships are expanding its coverage.
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Mauritius – A popular destination for Indian travelers where UPI is now accepted widely.
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Nepal – Close economic ties with India made it one of the earliest adopters. Travelers in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other tourist spots can pay via UPI.
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Singapore – Integrated UPI with PayNow, making cross-border payments easy.
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Sri Lanka – Rolled out UPI recently, offering smooth payment experiences for Indian tourists.
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UAE – A major hub for Indian expatriates, UPI has been launched for retail payments.
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Qatar – The newest entrant, beginning with duty-free outlets and set to expand further.
Why Countries Are Embracing UPI
Experts say that UPI adoption abroad is driven by two factors:
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Rising number of Indian travelers – Millions of Indians travel abroad each year for tourism, education, and work. Making UPI available ensures they do not need to convert currency or carry large amounts of cash.
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Global interest in India’s fintech model – India’s UPI system is seen as cost-effective, secure, and scalable. By partnering with Indian payment operators, countries hope to attract Indian tourists and simplify cross-border transactions.
Benefits for Indian Travelers
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No currency exchange hassles – Tourists can pay directly from their Indian bank accounts.
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Cashless convenience – No need to carry bundles of local currency.
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Wider acceptance – Increasing number of shops, restaurants, and airports abroad are joining UPI networks.
For example, an Indian tourist in Bhutan or Nepal can now shop in local stores by scanning a QR code, just like in India. Similarly, Indian students in Singapore or professionals in the UAE can use UPI-linked apps for daily expenses.
Global Expansion Strategy
NIPL, the international arm of NPCI, has been actively signing agreements with global banks and fintech companies. The strategy is simple: enable UPI in regions with a high concentration of Indian travelers and diaspora.
The adoption in France and Qatar shows that UPI is no longer limited to South Asia but is making inroads into Europe and the Middle East. This is expected to grow further as more countries express interest in adopting India’s digital payment infrastructure.
The Road Ahead
The success of UPI abroad highlights how India’s digital payment revolution is shaping global fintech trends. While currently limited to selected outlets and services in each country, the scope is set to expand rapidly.
Industry analysts believe that in the coming years, UPI could become a preferred payment system for cross-border trade, remittances, and tourism. As Indian outbound travel continues to rise, more countries are expected to integrate UPI into their payment ecosystems.
Key Takeaway
UPI’s journey from India’s domestic payment platform to a global digital payment solution is reshaping the way Indians spend money abroad. With its presence in eight countries and growing, Indian travelers can now enjoy greater convenience, transparency, and security while making payments overseas.
