Yes, SBI UPI works internationally in specific countries (like Singapore, UAE, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Europe) for merchant payments by scanning QR codes, provided international UPI is enabled in the app. It is primarily for Indian residents traveling abroad, with, for example, SBI facilitating foreign remittances via YONO.
As per a press release on June 25, 2025, the bank confirmed that NRI customers from 12 countries, including the USA, UK, UAE, Australia, and Singapore, can now link their accounts to UPI apps using their foreign mobile numbers. Who is eligible?
Paytm, for instance, allows users to activate UPI International for their bank accounts to facilitate these transactions while traveling abroad. The service works in various countries, including Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.
As of now, these banks are known to support UPI for NRIs: State Bank of India (SBI) ICICI Bank.
Pay online in other countries
To pay with a QR code in another country: After you check out from the website, tap UPI payment. Open Google Pay app . Scan the International QR code.
How to activate UPI for your International number
How NRIs Can Start Making UPI Payments Using Their NRE/NRO Account
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.
NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Account Opening Through YONO.
Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is currently accepted in eight countries— Bhutan, Singapore, Qatar, Mauritius, Nepal, UAE, Sri Lanka and France. Acceptability of India's digital payment network overseas enables Indian tourists to make UPI payments for transactions abroad.
Starting on June 4, 2024, the U.S. version of the Google Pay app is no longer available for use.
Yes, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) works in the USA for Indian users through the "UPI Global" feature. It allows you to make QR code-based payments at select international merchant stores using your Indian bank account.
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.
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.
'BHIM SBI Pay' (UPI App of SBI) is a most innovative payment app that allows any Banks' customer to send or receive money to/from any other Banks customer using a single app & also allows to pay for services like recharge, food orders, bill payments & local deals.
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.
“BHIM SBI Pay” (UPI App of SBI) is a payment solution that allows account holders of all Banks participating in UPI to send money, receive money and do online bill payments, recharges, shopping, etc. using their smartphones.
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.
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.
Send USD to UPI in India securely with Remitly. Enjoy great rates, no hidden fees, and fast delivery through your preferred method. Popular currencies are supported, with access to thousands of trusted providers worldwide.
The 2/3/4 rule is a guideline, primarily used by Bank of America, that limits how many new credit cards you can get: no more than 2 in 30 days, 3 in 12 months, and 4 in 24 months, helping to prevent over-application and manage hard inquiries on your credit report. While not universal, it's a useful benchmark for responsible card application, though other banks have different rules (like Chase's 5/24 rule).
Major banks offering no foreign transaction fees on debit and/or credit cards include Capital One, Charles Schwab, Discover, and HSBC, with options like Capital One 360 Checking, Schwab Bank Investor Checking (which refunds all ATM fees), and Discover Debit providing fee-free international spending and ATM use, though some may have card acceptance limitations or require specific account types. Other banks like Ally, Fidelity, and USAA also offer accounts that waive these fees, making them great for travelers.
Yes, Chase Bank does offer foreign currency exchange services at their branches, allowing customers to buy or sell foreign cash for their trips, but you should call your local branch first to check availability and order in advance, as rates and fees apply, and it's often better to use cards abroad to avoid cash loss risks, say Chase Bank and Wise.