Yes, NRIs can use UPI for their NRE/NRO accounts by linking their international mobile number, allowing instant payments in India via apps like Paytm or BHIM for transactions like paying merchants, friends, or family, eliminating traditional remittance delays. This service is available through specific banks and is facilitated by NPCI for NRIs in approved countries, using their overseas number for verification and transactions in Indian Rupees (INR).
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.
Unfortunately, you generally cannot use your international Google Wallet to make UPI payments through GPay in India. GPay requires an Indian bank account and phone number, which most travelers and NRIs don't have.
Why am I not able to link my HSBC Non Resident Indian (NRI) account on the UPI App? UPI service is currently available only for Resident accounts.
Yes, NRIs can use their international mobile numbers for BHIM UPI app registration. This service is available for INR transactions in India for NRIs from approved geographies, including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK, and USA.
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.
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.
How NRIs can set up UPI payments
If you are an Indian national residing abroad with an international mobile number, you can still easily link your NRE/NRO bank accounts to Paytm UPI and make payments in India. The process is quick, secure, and completed entirely through the app.
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.
Yes, UPI for NRI is now available!
BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money), developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is widely considered one of the safest UPI applications as it is the official NPCI app and focuses on secure bank-to-bank transfers.
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.
How to Set Up UPI with Your International Mobile Number? (Step-by-Step)
You can use an NRE bank account to store foreign currency converted to Indian rupees, while an NRO account is used to keep both foreign income and money earned in India. NRO accounts have a limit for repatriation up to USD 1 million per financial year, but NRE accounts have no such limit.
HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, HSBC Bank, YES Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Kotak Bank. These banks have their own set interest rates and minimum balance requirements, providing various options for NRIs in the USA.
This was highlighted in the PIB release: Foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India can make payments using UPI. Additionally, NPCI introduced UPI ONE WORLD, a solution for inbound travellers that enables them to pay Indian merchants using a prepaid wallet funded by their international debit/credit cards.
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.
Advantages of UPI for NRIs - Your financial passport
You can add resident Indians and NRIs as nominees to your Zerodha account. For NRI nominees, you must provide an Indian address and mobile number. Required details (based on CDSL requirements): Your nominee's identification: PAN, Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence number.
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.
UPI is better for instant, everyday payments like sending money to friends, scanning QR codes, or paying at local shops. On the other hand, Net Banking is better for managing your full bank account—you can transfer large amounts, schedule payments, and even open FDs or apply for loans.