UPI for NRIs: How to make UPI payments abroad? Here’s who can use it

The Non-resident Indians (NRI) can easily access the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) on their international mobile numbers as per the recent modifications implemented by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that regulates the UPI framework. NRIs living in at least 10 countries can use UPI on their international mobile numbers for Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) bank accounts.

Earlier, NRIs were required to have an active Indian mobile number to keep their UPI operations active, as all the digital payments through UPI would be possible on the registered mobile number linked to the bank account. And this came with the additional cost of regular recharges to maintain the phone number, but now NRIs can use UPI with their international or non-Indian mobile numbers.

According to the circular released by the National Payments Corporation of India on January 10, 2023, NRIs can use UPI in countries like Singapore, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

How can NRIs make UPI payments abroad?

1. For NRIs to use the digital payment system, it is important that their mobile numbers be linked with NRO or NRE accounts.

2. NRE or NRO accounts should have their KYC done to keep the UPI system active.

3. It is important to make sure that the NRE and NRO accounts ensure that other necessary regulations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) are fulfilled.

This can be best understood with a simple example of BHIM UPI in Singapore. Any user who will scan the Singapore Quick Response Code (SGQR) using BHIM UPI at any location will quickly be able to pay through UPI. How does this work? Well, in the case of SQQR stickers, customers will be required to enter the exact amount of payment they want to make in SGD (Singapore dollar), and the BHIM application will automatically convert the amount to Indian Rupee. After clicking on the 'pay' option, the user then needs to enter the UPI PIN, and then the payment will be completed.