UPI Accepted Countries List, How to Activate & Use UPI Internationally

UPI services are now live in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, and other countries, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs for Indians. During a virtual event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and Rupay card services in these UPI Accepted countries list. Additionally, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lyra introduced UPI adoption earlier this month in France. In recent years, numerous countries have embraced UPI as a payment method. For instance, NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) partnered with the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan to introduce BHIM UPI QR-based payments in Bhutan on July 13, 2021. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding UPI accepted countries beyond Indian borders. Now let's look at the UPI Accepted Countries List 2024, How to Use UPI Internationally, Making International Payments using UPI in Google Pay & PhonePe and more!

For those unfamiliar, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a lightning-fast payment system that allows users to transfer money instantly, across various bank accounts, without needing to share their bank details with the recipient.

UPI has significantly expanded its reach over the past two years, with several countries where UPI is accepted. MyGovIndia has even shared a world map on its official handle, highlighting these countries where Indians can now conveniently use UPI for making payments. NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has teamed up with Liquid Group to introduce QR-based UPI payments across 10 Southeast Asian nations, including Hong Kong and Singapore. Moreover, UPI is now accessible in Bhutan, Oman, and Nepal, providing a seamless experience for instant real-time payments across various bank accounts including Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

Indians can now use UPI for making payments. Here is the list of countries that officially support UPI payment in 2024:

Bhutan is officially on the Indian UPI Accepted countries list. On July 13, 2021, the collaboration between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan marked a significant step in financial integration between India and Bhutan. Now, Indians can conveniently use BHIM UPI QR-based payments in Bhutan as it falls into the list of UPI Accepted countries.

In Bhutan, users can utilize UPI for payments through the BHIM UPI QR-based system. Here's a guide on how to use UPI in Bhutan:

Step 1: Locate a merchant or business in Bhutan that accepts BHIM UPI payments.

Step 2: Scan the QR code provided by the merchant using your UPI-enabled app.

Step 3: Enter the payment amount and any other required details.

Step 4: Confirm the payment through the app and authorize the transaction using your UPI PIN.

Step 5: Upon successful completion, you will receive a notification confirming the transaction.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NPCI, NIPL, and the Central Bank of Oman on October 4, 2022, brings forth a new era of payment facilitation. Oman is part of the Indian UPI Accepting countries list. This agreement enables the acceptance of Indian RuPay cards in Oman as a UPI Accepted country and vice versa, fostering seamless transactions and partnerships for cross-border remittances between the two countries using UPI rails.

In Oman, users can leverage RuPay cards on the UPI platform for seamless transactions. Here's a guide on how to use RuPay cards with UPI in Oman:

Step 1: Ensure your RuPay card is linked to your UPI-enabled app.

Step 2: Locate merchants or businesses in Oman that accept UPI payments.

Step 3: Scan the QR code provided by the merchant using your UPI-enabled app.

Step 4: Enter the payment amount and any necessary details.

Step 5: Confirm the transaction using your UPI PIN.

Step 6: Upon successful completion, you'll receive a notification confirming the payment.

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Visitors from India can now utilize UPI for transactions with local businesses in Mauritius. Similarly, tourists from Mauritius can use the Instant Payment System (IPS) app in India. Additionally, RuPay technology facilitates the issuance of RuPay cards by Mauritian banks locally through the MauCAS card network. To initiate UPI Accepted payments in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, individuals must initially register their bank account with a UPI-enabled mobile application. During this process, users are prompted to input recipient information, such as bank account numbers, along with transfer amounts and currencies. Mauritius is a valuable addition to the Indian UPI Accepted countries list.

Sri lanka is finally in the UPI Accepted countries list. Indians travelling to Sri Lanka can now make QR code-based payments at merchant locations using their UPI apps, enhancing convenience and interoperability between the two nations.

Step 1: Open the UPI app and tap on your profile picture on the home page.

Step 2: Go to the Payment Settings section, and select UPI International.

Step 3: Click on the 'Activate' option next to the chosen bank account for international UPI payments.

Step 4: Confirm activation using your UPI PIN.

Step 5: Once the service is activated, scan the QR code provided by the merchant.

Step 6: Enter the amount, which will be displayed in both local currency and Indian rupees.

Step 7: Click on "Pay," enter your UPI PIN to authorize the transaction, and confirm. Once completed, the transaction will be processed successfully.

Nepal also made the list of UPI Accepted countries. Nepali users can initiate bank transfers to India using UPI IDs through mobile banking, simplifying cross-border transactions.

Step 1: Install UPI-BHIM from your Google Play Store or Apple App Store as your chosen UPI app.

Step 2: Choose your preferred language and ensure your phone number is accurate. Then, select your bank account and enter your account number.

Step 3: Enter essential details like your name, virtual ID, and password to create your profile. Your payment address will be the virtual ID you generate.

Step 4: Within the app, navigate to Add/Link/Manage bank account and link your bank and account number to the previously generated virtual ID.

Step 5: Create an MPIN for yourself, which will serve as your password for completing transactions. Once you've completed these steps, you'll have successfully registered. Remember, you'll need to enter your mobile personal identification number (mPIN) each time you make a transaction.

The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris now accepts India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service, thanks to the partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lyra, a leading French company specializing in securing e-commerce and proximity payments.

Step 1: Indian tourists visiting the Eiffel Tower can use their UPI-powered apps to easily book tickets online. They simply need to scan the QR code on the merchant’s website using their UPI app to complete the payment.
Step 2: Once the QR code is scanned, users can proceed to enter the payment details and authorize the transaction through their UPI-enabled application.

One great advantage of using UPI for transactions in France is the potential to avoid extra charges. Unlike credit and debit cards, UPI transactions may not incur fees for international payments in France. With over 380 million users in India, UPI has become incredibly popular as a widely Accepted payment method. Its expansion to France opens up new possibilities for seamless transactions for Indian tourists.

Singapore holds the distinction of being the first nation as one of the Indian UPI Accepted countries list to introduce cross-border Person to Person (P2P) payment services. In February of the preceding year, India and Singapore established a connection between UPI and PayNow, facilitating swift and cost-effective money transfers between Singapore and India, benefiting the Indian diaspora in Singapore. Also, several commercial establishments in Singapore have already implemented the acceptance of UPI payments through QR codes.

Here are the steps to make a UPI transfer to Singapore:

Step 1: Access the bank's mobile app or online banking platform.

Step 2: Choose the "I agree" option under outward foreign remittance.

Step 3: Proceed with the transfer by providing the beneficiary's mobile number or Virtual Payment Address (VPA).

Step 4: Enter the amount you wish to transfer.

Step 5: Check the exchange rates and review the transaction summary.

Step 6: Depending on the app's requirements, confirm the transaction with an OTP (One-Time Password) or UPI (Unified Payments Interface) pin.

NIPL's collaboration with Liquid Group enables QR-based UPI payments and have added several countries to the Indian UPI Accepted countries list. These 10 countries across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, are in the UPI Accepted countries list, offering a seamless payment experience for Indians travelling within the region.

The process for using UPI in these countries follows a similar pattern of registering bank accounts with UPI-enabled apps and initiating payments by providing recipient details and transfer amounts.

To use UPI for payments in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and other countries:

1. Registration: Users need to register their bank account with a UPI-enabled mobile application.

2. Enter Recipient Details: Users input recipient information, including bank account number, transfer amount, and currency, during the bank account linking process.

3. Payment Process: Once the bank account is linked, users can initiate UPI payments overseas.

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International payment transactions are similar to domestic UPI payments, with bank fees and foreign exchange conversion rates applying.

1. Open the Google Pay app.

2. Tap Scan QR code.

3. Scan the international merchant’s QR code.

4. Enter the amount in payable foreign currency.

5. Select the bank account you want to use to pay the international merchant.

With these simple steps, users can now conveniently activate and use international UPI services on PhonePe and make international payments using UPI in Google Pay.

1. Open the UPI app and go to the home screen.

2. Click on your profile picture.

3. Under Payment Settings, select UPI International.

4. Click the activate button next to the bank account you wish to use for international UPI payments.

5. Enter your UPI PIN to confirm the activation.

In case you're unsure about which UPI app to go for, you might want to check out this discussion by one of our fellow DD users: "Which UPI App is Your Favorite and Why?" It could give you some insights and help you make a decision.

If you're curious about the differences between UPI, RTGS, IMPS, and NEFT, you should check out "Difference between UPI, RTGS, IMPS, and NEFT: Charges & Limit"

It's helpful to learn about the different charges, fees, and limits for each service, as well as how fast transactions are processed. This info can help you choose the service that suits your needs the best.

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