UPI Now in 9 Countries: Easier Payments for Indian Travelers
By ThePip Desk
India’s UPI is now live in 9 nations, offering Indian travelers reduced costs and seamless cashless payments abroad. Discover the new international reach.
Indian travelers can now utilize the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in nine countries, simplifying cross-border digital payments. This expansion follows concerted efforts by NPCI International Payments (NIPL) to extend India’s digital payment infrastructure globally.
Established in April 2020 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), NIPL aims to collaborate with foreign entities. Its mandate includes introducing platforms like UPI and RuPay, while assisting partner countries in developing real-time payment systems.
Current International Reach
Currently, Indians can use UPI for transactions in a growing list of nations:
- Bhutan
- Singapore
- UAE
- France
- Mauritius
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Greece
- Cambodia
Financial Advantages for Travelers
The international adoption of UPI offers several advantages for users abroad:
- Reduced transaction costs, minimizing fees associated with international credit and debit card payments, including foreign exchange processing charges.
- Facilitation of cashless travel, allowing direct digital payments from linked Indian bank accounts.
- Near-instant transactions, reducing delays and reliance on traditional international payment networks.
- Real-time expense tracking through linked bank accounts or UPI applications.
UPI’s Domestic Scale and Global Recognition
UPI, launched on April 11, 2016, by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has grown significantly. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognizes UPI as the world’s largest retail fast-payment system by transaction volume.
- FY 2025-26 transactions: 24,162 crore
- FY 2025-26 value: Rs 314 lakh crore
- Users by June 2026: 55.49 crore
Beyond UPI, India has forged partnerships with 23 countries on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). These Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) cover the India Stack, encompassing digital identity, payments, data exchange, and service delivery platforms.
Notable DigiLocker MoUs include those signed with Cuba, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR). This strategic internationalisation aims to reduce transaction costs and foster cashless travel for Indian citizens, positioning India as a key player in global digital payment innovation.