Will UPI work outside India?

Asked by: Prof. Eldora Kunze DDS  |  Last update: August 27, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (59 votes)

Yes, UPI works outside India in selected countries including Singapore, UAE, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and France. Through "UPI International," users can scan local QR codes to make merchant payments directly from Indian bank accounts, eliminating the need for currency exchange.

Does UPI work internationally?

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.

Can I do Gpay from the USA to 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.

Can I use the bhim app outside India?

Yes, there are specific requirements for NRI registration on the BHIM UPI app: NRE/NRO Account: NRIs must have a Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) account with a bank in India that supports UPI.

How do I activate UPI International?

How to activate UPI for your International number

  1. Update your registered International mobile no. with your NRI account.
  2. Login to any UPI app# and set up UPI for your account.
  3. Start making fast and secure transactions.

U.S. Rejecting Visas To Indians Over INSTAGRAM? Indians In The U.S.| Driti Atri Explains

32 related questions found

How to pay in India as a foreigner?

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.

How to change GPay from India to USA?

How to create a payments profile with a new country

  1. Sign in to Settings.
  2. Under "Payments profile," next to "Country/Region," click Edit. ...
  3. Click Create new profile. ...
  4. Click Choose a country or region, and then choose the country to associate with your new profile.
  5. Click Continue.

How to send money from USA to India using UPI?

Cross-border UPI:

  1. Create an account or log in to your existing account on the chosen platform.
  2. Provide the recipient's UPI ID and the transfer amount.
  3. Complete the necessary sender information and any required verification steps.
  4. Choose your payment method (e.g., bank transfer, debit card) and complete the payment.

Which Indian UPI works in the USA?

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.

Which is safer, Gpay or Bhim?

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.

Is UPI similar to zelle?

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.

How to use UPI from USA?

Turn on UPI International

  1. Open the Google Pay app .
  2. Tap Scan QR code.
  3. Scan the shop's QR code.
  4. Enter the money you owe in the right foreign currency.
  5. Pick the bank account you want to pay from.

What is * 99 * 99 used for?

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.

Which 7 countries accept UPI?

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.

Can a US citizen use Google Pay 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 do I change my Google account from India to USA?

If you have more than one Google Play country or region associated with your account, you can switch between these existing country or region profiles. At the top right, tap the profile icon. Country and profiles. To change countries, tap the name of the one you want to change to.

How much does Google Pay charge for international transactions?

All the convenience of mobile payments with Google Pay, plus no hidden fees and no foreign transaction charges.

Can foreign tourists use UPI?

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. Foreign tourists can rely on UPI-linked wallets during their stay, thanks to RBI and NPCI's initiatives.

How can I pay someone in India from the USA?

Best ways to send money to India with WISE

  1. Direct Debit. Direct Debit is a convenient option that lets us take money from your account once you have authorised the payment on our site. ...
  2. Bank Transfer. ...
  3. Debit Card. ...
  4. Credit card. ...
  5. Apple Pay. ...
  6. Google Pay.

Which UPI app works internationally?

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.

Is GPay called UPI?

Google Pay in India operates on the UPI infrastructure, enabling instant money transfers between linked bank accounts. Users can pay using UPI IDs, QR codes, or mobile numbers.