Yes, NRIs can use Google Pay (GPay) in India, provided they have an NRE/NRO bank account and an active phone number, including international numbers from select countries (USA, UK, UAE, etc.). Recent RBI updates allow linking overseas mobile numbers to NRE/NRO accounts for UPI payments.
UPI set up process for NRIs
To set up UPI for your NRE or NRO account, you must follow the steps below: Choose a UPI app: You can choose any of several UPI app options. The most popular ones are BHIM UPI, Google Pay, and PhonePe.
Yes, you can use Google Pay from the USA to send money to India by integrating with services like Wise or Western Union within the US Google Pay app, but you need an Indian recipient with a UPI ID or bank account and an Indian phone number to receive it. The US Google Pay app was discontinued in June 2024, so you'll use the Google Wallet app (which is the new name for GPay in the US) to initiate international transfers powered by partners like Wise to send money to India.
Mony is a specialized UPI app available for tourists and NRIs, allowing instant scan-and-pay transactions at millions of merchant locations across India. It offers a secure payment experience without needing multiple cards.
The last time you visited India, were you impressed by the convenience of digital payment offered by India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI)? Here's some good news for you. With the recent development, NRIs can now also access UPI services.
NPCI guidelines allow UPI Payments to India in INR, via overseas numbers from countries including Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK and USA for INR transactions in India.
New rules for NRIs in India focus on stricter tax residency criteria from April 2026, increasing the stay threshold to 120 days for high-income NRIs (over ₹15 lakh Indian income) to become Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR) and introducing "deemed residency" for high-income Indians in tax havens; also, higher TCS thresholds for LRS remittances (to ₹10L) and removal of TCS for education loans are recent changes from Budget 2025-26, alongside increased reporting of foreign assets.
Starting on June 4, 2024, the U.S. version of the Google Pay app is no longer available for use.
3: BHIM UPI has the added advantage of being backed by the government, so it is regarded as safer and secure compared to Google Pay. Though Google Pay has enhanced security features like biometric authentication as well as PIN or pattern, extensive data syncing makes it less secure.
Open the UPI app and select the option to register a new account. Enter your international mobile number (including the full country code, e.g., +1 for USA, +971 for UAE). The app will send a verification SMS from your phone to confirm the number is active and linked to a bank account in India.
Open the Google Pay app . Go to your profile. In the “Payment methods,” pick the bank with UPI International turned on. Tap Manages international payments.
Apps like Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay's wallet feature support creating UPI IDs without bank accounts.
Paytm: Wide range of services including wallet, UPI, payments, and investments. Slightly higher app clutter and notifications. Key Takeaway: Google Pay is ideal for simplicity, PhonePe for comprehensive features, and Paytm for those who prefer wallet integration along with payments.
Yes, you can use Google Pay from the USA to send money to India by integrating with services like Wise or Western Union within the US Google Pay app, but you need an Indian recipient with a UPI ID or bank account and an Indian phone number to receive it. The US Google Pay app was discontinued in June 2024, so you'll use the Google Wallet app (which is the new name for GPay in the US) to initiate international transfers powered by partners like Wise to send money to India.
Paytm, India's pioneer in mobile payments, now enables Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to use their international mobile numbers to log in and make seamless UPI payments through NRE or NRO bank accounts, expanding access to India's digital payments ecosystem.
Make sure you have a valid bank account linked on Google Pay. Learn how to add a bank account on Google Pay. Make sure your UPI ID is working. Check if you've reset the UPI PIN on Google Pay or any other UPI app.
Top Best UPI Apps in India for 2025 – Detailed Comparison
Disadvantages include a daily transaction limit of ₹1,00,000 (though some banks may impose lower limits) and fewer features compared to private UPI applications that offer rewards or cashback.
To simplify the app experience, the U.S. version of the standalone Google Pay app will no longer be available for use starting June 4, 2024.
Download Google Pay
Currency exchange rates, fees, taxes and other terms and conditions of the international money transfer services are set and/or charged to you by the Transfer Provider. Google does not charge you any separate fees in connection with international money transfers.
Maximum marginal rate is the highest rate of tax at any income level. This means for those with incomes between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore, 39% will be the highest applicable tax rate, and for those with incomes above Rs 5 crore, it will be 42.74% — the highest tax rate since 1992.
Non-resident Indians (NRIs) are taxed on income earned or collected in India. This could be from sources like property rent, share dividends, and investment and savings capital gains, if over a specified limit. Income earned outside India is not taxable in India.
NRIs returning to India should proactively manage their banking and investment affairs to ensure compliance with Indian regulations. You should promptly notify the change in your residency status to your bank, broker, AMC, and insurance service providers.