International UPI apps allow foreigners and NRIs to make payments in India (or Indians abroad) by linking international numbers or using dedicated tourist apps like Mony, CheqUPI, or features in Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm by enabling "UPI International" for seamless QR code payments, often requiring bank support (ICICI, Axis, HDFC) for linking overseas numbers. These apps facilitate payments in INR using foreign accounts or international numbers, bypassing high card fees, with specific apps like Wise also supporting international transfers to UPI IDs.
Launched by NPCI, this feature lets users pay directly from their Indian bank account while abroad—securely, instantly, and in local currency. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has now gone global! With UPI Global Acceptance, you can pay at select international stores using your UPI app and Indian bank account.
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.
UPI on international numbers is currently available only on PSP portals (BHIM, PhonePe, Google Pay, PayTM, etc). NPCI guidelines allow UPI payments to India in INR via overseas numbers from selected geographies: Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK, and USA.
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.
Yes, you can use the BHIM app outside India. According to the official BHIM website FAQs, users can send and collect money for their local accounts while abroad. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, upon which BHIM operates, now has global acceptance.
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.
UPI One World is a digital wallet powered by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) that allows NRIs and foreign visitors to make payments in India using INR. It is linked to your international mobile number and can be used at stores that accept UPI payments—across cities, towns, and even rural areas.
Starting on June 4, 2024, the U.S. version of the Google Pay app is no longer available for use. This change does not impact the Google Pay app in India or Singapore, nor does it impact Google Wallet. Learn more about Google Wallet.
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.
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.
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.
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 excels in India for peer-to-peer transfers, offering instant, free transactions using mobile numbers or QR codes. Zelle is ideal for quick, domestic U.S. transfers between bank accounts. Lightspark outperforms both by enabling instant, low-cost global transfers, eliminating geographical limitations.
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.
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.
How to transfer money using Money2India USA as an existing customer?
In this section, we will discuss some of the best UPI apps in India.
Your account details are stated to be 100% secure when using Paytm, with the company committed to ensuring they remain safe. Paytm adheres to industry security standards and globally accepted best practices like ISO 27001 to safeguard information systems and assets against unauthorized access, damage, or changes.
India's UPI ecosystem continues to redefine digital payments — clocking billions of transactions every month. And leading the charge are a few giants who dominate the space. PhonePe reigns supreme with 8.96 Bn transactions, followed by Google Pay at 6.83 Bn and Paytm at 1.39 Bn.
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.
Using UPI to make payments abroad
To get started, you will need to activate international payments on UPI apps that support international payments, such as PhonePe, Google Pay, and Bhim UPI app. Here's our guide to UPI International with PhonePe - one of the first UPI apps to support global payments.