Yes, US citizens can use UPI in India. Foreign nationals can link foreign bank accounts (from select countries including the USA) to UPI apps. Tourists can also use the UPI One World app, allowing them to make payments at merchant locations by scanning QR codes.
Yes, foreigners and NRIs can create and use UPI IDs, but the pathway differs: NRIs can use UPI with their NRE/NRO accounts and either Indian or eligible international mobile numbers. Foreign residents with Indian bank accounts can use UPI like locals.
Turn on UPI International
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.
As a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), you can use your international mobile number to make UPI payments instantly in India, thereby significantly enhancing your convenience of making everyday payments.
Will my phone work in India? You can easily travel to India with your existing phone plan with a US or foreign carrier – but you'll need to pay hefty roaming charges for all phone calls, texts and data usage. You might also face spotty coverage in some parts of the country.
UPI One World – A Simple Way for Foreigners and NRIs to Pay in India. UPI One World is a safe and easy digital wallet for NRIs and foreign tourists visiting India. It helps users pay at shops, hotels, and more using Indian Rupees without needing cash or currency exchange.
Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can use the UPI app for transactions in India using their registered overseas mobile number. This facility is available for NRIs from specific approved geographies, including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, the UK, USA, France and the Malaysia.
Download PhonePe, connect your NRE or NRO account to your overseas number, and you're ready to make secure UPI payments in minutes, no matter where you are. Download PhonePe, connect your NRE or NRO account to your overseas number, and you're ready to make secure UPI payments in minutes, no matter where you are.
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.
Non-Resident Indians can simplify managing finances in India using UPI. This guide covers eligibility, required accounts (NRE/NRO), and a list of major Indian banks supporting UPI, including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank.
It uses USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) technology, which works on basic phones too. This service helps people across India do banking just by dialling *99# from their mobile.
Apple Pay does not work in India for card-based payments. You can not add credit or debit cards to your wallet to make contactless payments. Even if you see the Apple support website, you can see the list of eligible countries and regions that support Apple Pay. India is unfortunately not one of them.
Using cards in India
Paying with debit cards, credit cards and prepaid cards is common in India, especially in major cities and tourist-friendly areas. Most major credit cards—including those serviced by Visa and Mastercard—are accepted. Many card issuers—including Chase —no longer require notice when traveling.
UPI set up process for NRIs
The most popular ones are BHIM UPI, Google Pay, and PhonePe. Select one app, and download and install it on your phone.
You can use Google Pay to send money to friends and family in India using your mobile device. You'll need an internet connection, an Indian bank account and an Indian phone number.
Foreigners can connect to UPI via Cheq UPI app, which allows foreigners to use Google pay and Apple wallet in India. However, it costs approximately $12 USD to set up, and requires physical verification.
You can link your international mobile number to your NRE or NRO account and use UPI for NRI accounts through supported banking apps like BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, or your bank's mobile app.
Bank transfers
Many US banks offer international wire transfers directly to Indian bank accounts. However, these transfers can be costly and take a few days. Popular banks such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Citibank offer remittance services for customers.
Foreign visitors to India can easily get get a tourist SIM Card in India – either immediately upon arrival at any International Airports or from telecom shops in the city. Major providers like Airtel, Jio, and Vi (Vodafone-Idea) offer tourist SIMs.
Yes, *67 is still a functional and widely used method for blocking caller ID in 2026. It works on most landlines and mobile phones, including iPhones and Android devices, but it has some limitations, like not working for toll-free numbers or emergency services.
The amount of data you need depends on your data usage patterns while traveling: Light user: 1 GB per week – Email, browsing, and messaging. Moderate user: 3-5 GB per week – Maps, music streaming, and social media. Heavy user: 10+ GB per week – Video calls, video streaming, and uploads.