Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed how India pays — and now, UPI is moving beyond India’s borders. With the launch of UPI Global, Indian travellers can make international payments the same way they pay at a local shop: fast, secure, and through mobile apps like PhonePe, Paytm, Google Pay, and banks’ UPI apps.
This guide explains what UPI Global is, how it works, supported countries, charges, limits, and benefits — in simple language.
🚀 What Is UPI Global?
UPI Global is an international version of India’s UPI system that allows Indian users to:
- Pay merchants abroad
- 1Scan QR codes in foreign countries
- Make international transfers
- Use their UPI apps for foreign currency transactions
It enables real-time cross-border payments between India and partnered nations.
No card required. No forex counter. No swiping. Just scan & pay.
🌐 Countries Where UPI Works (As of 2025)
UPI Global is expanding quickly. Supported countries include:
1. Singapore (NETS + PhonePe partnership)
- Pay using UPI at retail stores
- Supported via QR codes
2. UAE
- Accepted at various merchants across Dubai & Abu Dhabi
- NIPL ties with Mashreq/NeoPay
3. France
- UPI accepted at the Eiffel Tower
4. Sri Lanka & Mauritius
- For both merchant payments and inward remittances
5. Bhutan
- Early adopter of UPI acceptance
New countries entering UPI partnership include:
- Oman
- Maldives
- Qatar
- UK (pilot stage)
- US (in discussions)
UPI Global is becoming a universal payment language.
💳 How International UPI Payment Works
The process is the same as making a payment in India, except the amount is auto-converted into foreign currency.
Steps:
- Open your UPI app (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM, bank apps).
- Scan the international QR code provided by the merchant.
- The merchant receives payment in their currency.
- You are charged in INR, with conversion rate shown before payment.
- Transaction completes in seconds.
💱 Currency Conversion – How It Works
UPI Global uses:
- Real-time exchange rate
- Network provider fees (small)
- RBI rules for outward remittance
Your UPI app will display:
- Exchange rate
- Fee (if any)
- Final INR value
🧾 Are There Any Charges?
International UPI payments follow RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).
Typical charges (may vary by bank/app):
- Forex conversion fee: 1%–2.5%
- UPI foreign transaction processing: ₹10–₹50
- TCS (Tax at Source): 5% above ₹7 lakh annual spend abroad (same as debit/credit cards)
Many transactions under ₹25,000 daily limit have zero merchant fee.
📊 Transaction Limits (UPI Global)
| Type of Use | Daily Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| International merchant payments | ₹25,000 | App-specific |
| International transfers | Bank limits apply | Under LRS |
| QR Code payments | Allowed | Country dependent |
| UPI–Debit/Credit linked cards | Limit as per card | Additional benefits |
🛫 Where UPI Global Helps the Most
1. Travelers Abroad
- No need for cash conversion
- No need for travel cards
- Instant, transparent payments
2. NRI & Indian diaspora
- Easier to accept payments from India
- Remittances become faster
3. Businesses in partnered countries
- Accepting Indian customers becomes easier
✔️ Benefits of UPI Global
For Users (Indians traveling abroad):
- No physical card required
- Instant payments
- Better security than cards
- Transparent conversion rate
- Works from any UPI app
For Merchants abroad:
- Access to millions of Indian shoppers
- Seamless transaction processing
For India’s fintech ecosystem:
- Global recognition of UPI
- Boost to digital economy
- Cross-border fintech partnerships
🧠 Things to Keep in Mind
- Ensure your bank supports UPI Global
- Activate international payments in your UPI app settings
- Carry backup payment options (in early-stage countries)
- Keep internet access on phone (UPI Global requires data/wifi)
🔎 Conclusion
UPI Global is redefining how Indians pay abroad. From shopping in Singapore to buying tickets in France, UPI makes international payments simple, secure, transparent, and fast.
As more countries adopt UPI, it may soon become a global payment standard — just like Visa or Mastercard — but faster and cheaper.
UPI began in India; now it’s going global. And for Indian travelers, this is just the beginning of borderless payments.
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