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One of the biggest hassles of travelling internationally is the forex exchange. The exchange rates, the charges, and carrying wads of cash around are all not-so-pleasant experiences. With more and more countries accepting UPI however, this is all set to change. The Unified Payments Interface, UPI payments as we know it, has been a game changer in the Indian markets with how seamless it made the transactions.
UPI was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is supported by most Indian banks, without any transaction fees. The mobile-first system connects directly to your bank accounts, eliminating any need for credit or debit cards. Slowly, the influence of this effortless system is being appreciated internationally, with 7 countries accepting UPI payments now.
1. Bhutan
The first to join the list of countries accepting UPI, Bhutan was also among the earliest nations to issue RuPay bank cards. The entity in Bhutan that has partnered with the UPI network happens to be the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan. The next-door neighbour in the Himalayas also happens to be a great travel destination where visitors will now be able to seamlessly use their UPI apps for financial transactions. Bhutan has a stringent set of rules for tourists, and whether it is paying for SDF or simply grabbing a cup of coffee, the familiar interface makes your stay and experience much easier.
2. Singapore
Singapore was the next to join the list of countries accepting UPI. Intending to strengthen economic ties and boost digital financial inclusion between the two nations, this move was also great for Singaporeans visiting India and vice-versa. Singapore Tourism Board’s partnership with the PhonePe app lets Indians make these payments seamlessly to more than 8,000 vendors in Singapore. Whether you are visiting the touristy areas in Singapore or simply shopping at the local markets, you can use UPI to make payments.
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3. Mauritius
Next on the list of countries accepting UPI happens to be Mauritius. In 2024, the Reserve Bank of India and the Bank of Mauritius joined hands to enable UPI on the island country. One of the most visited destinations by Indians, Mauritius lets you transact via UPI and also lets their citizens use the same through their IPS app for transactions in India. Not just UPI but RuPay is also accepted in Mauritius, which means that banks in Mauritius can issue RuPay cards locally via the MauCAS network, further making the process easier.
4. France
This is a big win for UPI as France becomes the first European nation in the list of countries accepting UPI payments. The service was launched at the iconic Eiffel Tower in partnership with Lyra, and the French government also confirmed that more and more merchants across the country will soon accept UPI. It might soon be accepted in other European countries as well, after being introduced in France. The country still is very used to cash payments however so if you are visiting keep some change till the French get more comfortable with using QR.
5. UAE
The Middle Eastern country happens to be India’s third largest trade partner and back in 2024, during PM Modi’s visit to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the duo launched UPI services in Abu Dhabi. The move is expected to help with trade significantly but for the common man as well, UAE accepting UPI is a great start. The Emirates hosts a huge number of Indian tourists each year, as well as are home to many Indian expats, both of which will benefit from UPI services being available to them.
6. Nepal
Nepal is another of our neighbouring countries accepting UPI. On February 15, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India and Nepal Rastra Bank signed an agreement to integrate India’s UPI with Nepal’s National Payments Interface (NPI), making the transactions between the countries seamless. India also happens to be one of Nepal’s biggest trading partners, and the number of Indian tourists visiting Nepal has only gone up in past some years, making this move a win-win for both sides.
7. Sri Lanka
The partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited and Lanka Pay was inaugurated last year, and now Indian nationals can make payments at a lot of merchants in Sri Lanka with their UPI apps. India has been pushing for seamless payment methods with neighbours for some years now, and Sri Lanka being on the list of countries accepting UPI not only helps with that but also saves the forex exchange markups, increasing tourism and trade between the two. This is still in a nascent stage however, so if you plan to visit Sri Lanka anytime soon, make sure you carry some cash still.