The best UPI apps for NRIs include specialized apps like CheqUPI and Mony, which are designed for international numbers, alongside established banking apps like ICICI iMobile Pay, Federal Bank (FedMobile), and Paytm. These allow linking NRE/NRO accounts to make payments to Indian merchants without needing a local SIM.
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.
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.
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.
Turn on UPI International
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.
Yes, UPI can be used in Canada to send money to India. While UPI is primarily an Indian payment system, Western Union allows Canadian users to transfer funds directly to a recipient's UPI-linked bank account.
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 offers a simplified and user-friendly experience focusing on person-to-person payments, with a wide range of language support. It is based on the UPI platform, which functions as the underlying infrastructure for various payment apps.
Top Best UPI Apps in India for 2025 – Detailed Comparison
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.
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.
Yes. Zerodha follows country-level compliance based on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) country lists: Blacklisted countries: NRIs living here cannot open an account. Greylisted countries: NRIs may open an account only after compliance approval.
PhonePe is best for rewards and regional language support. Google Pay is ideal for making fast and secure transactions with urban customers. Paytm provides a wallet, POS devices, financing, and loyalty tools.
To activate UPI for your NRI bank account, you must have an Indian mobile number linked to the bank account. Then, make sure the Indian number is active to register for UPI. Download the UPI app and register using the mobile number.
Late payment fees - Paytm charges a late payment fee if you do not clear your due amount by the repayment due date. The late fees range from ₹50 to ₹750 based on your outstanding balance. With 18% GST, the overall late payment cost can be substantial.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time payment system through which money can be transferred from one bank to another. Whereas BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) is the mobile application through which the money transfer takes place.
BARRIERS TO ADOPTION AND SUSTAINED USE. There were some bottlenecks in signing up on the BHIM application, such as: After linking the bank accounts with the application, it asks the user to set a UPI PIN. For that the user is required to put in the last 6 digits of the debit card and the expiry date.
RBI restriction on Paytm Payments Bank? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed strict restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank due to persistent non-compliance and supervisory concerns.
There is no fee for using the App; however, NPCI reserves the right to introduce fees at any time. Any changes to the fee or pricing policies will be posted on the App and will become effective immediately after posting, or on a date specified by NPCI.
UPI facilitates direct, instant, 24/7 bank-to-bank transfers, making it universally accepted for everyday and business payments. Mobile wallets require preloaded funds and are typically best for small, frequent payments, online shopping, and earning rewards or cashback.
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.
Remitly has higher sending limits and better customer ratings, plus the option to choose your transfer speed. However, there's a big issue with both services, and it's that they both add currency exchange rate markups to the mid-market rate.
You can't use Zelle in Canada - it's for payments between US based banks only. Use this handy guide as a way to find alternative providers to make convenient, low cost, online and mobile payments to Canada.