Growing international acceptance of India’s digital payment system simplifies spending for tourists, students and business travellers abroad
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is steadily strengthening its global footprint, offering Indian tourists, students and business travellers a faster and more convenient way to make payments in an increasing number of countries.
Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI is now operational across several international markets through partnerships with local financial institutions. The expanding network enables eligible users to pay merchants directly from their Indian bank accounts using familiar UPI-enabled mobile applications, reducing dependence on international debit or credit cards.
Among the countries where UPI services are available are Bhutan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Qatar, Greece and Cambodia. The rollout has taken place in phases, with different countries supporting either person-to-merchant (P2M) payments, person-to-person (P2P) transfers, or both, depending on local partnerships.
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The wider adoption of UPI is expected to benefit millions of Indians travelling overseas by enabling secure, real-time digital payments without the need to carry large amounts of cash
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The system also lowers transaction costs by reducing reliance on conventional cross-border payment methods, which often involve higher processing and foreign exchange charges
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Users can additionally monitor their spending instantly through linked banking applications
The international expansion forms part of India’s broader digital public infrastructure strategy, with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) working alongside overseas banks and payment networks to extend UPI’s acceptance. The initiative is also aimed at supporting remittances and strengthening financial connectivity for the Indian diaspora.
According to the Ministry of Finance, UPI continues to witness robust domestic growth, with more than 55 crore users onboarded by June 2026 and transaction volumes reaching record levels during FY2025-26. Authorities have also introduced enhanced security measures, including stronger authentication protocols and a comprehensive information security framework, to ensure safe and transparent digital transactions.
