Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It allows users to instantly transfer money between bank accounts using a mobile device. However, this Indian payment system has seen significant adoption globally since its inception on April 11, 2016.
As of now, Indian UPI is widely accepted in eight (8) countries, and NIPL is anticipating bringing it live in six (6) more countries, including the United Kingdom (U.K.), Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, Oman, and Qatar. NIPL made UPI adoption possible through various partnerships with local banks and payment networks to enable QR-based and POS transactions.
Quick Hints: NIPL—NPCI International Payments Limited—is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NPCI that was established in April 2020. It was created to take India’s digital payment systems—like UPI and RuPay—global. Its main goal is to expand the reach of these systems to international markets for the purpose of enabling seamless cross-border payments and allowing Indian travelers, businesses, and NRIs to use Indian payment methods abroad.
However, it's important to note that this rapid adoption can be attributed to the unique advantages that UPI offers. Users are pleased with the unique features of UPI because they can send and receive money instantly, 24/7—even on holidays. In addition to that, no bank detail is needed: you can send money using a UPI ID (like username@bank), a mobile number, or a QR code—no need to share account numbers or IFSC codes.
In addition to sending money, UPI also allows users to request payments from others. With UPI-enabled apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, or BHIM, users can conveniently link multiple bank accounts within a single platform. UPI is also offering top-notch security for all payment transactions. Any transaction that passes through UPI is protected by two-factor authentication.
This UPI's 2FA uses a mobile PIN (MPIN) to ensure safety and prevent unauthorized access. With that being said, let's dive into the primary reasons for these articles: Countries where UPI is accepted as a mode of payment aside from India.
Countries Where UPI Is Widely Accepted
Here's the list of countries—aside from India—where Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is currently accepted:
1. Nepal
Nepal is the first country outside India to adopt UPI. Launched in February 2022 by NIPL, it was integrated into Nepal’s national payment systems in collaboration with Gateway Payments Service Pvt. Ltd., Nepal’s authorized payment system operator, and Manam Infotech, a tech partner.
UPI in Nepal allows users to make real-time payments using just their mobile phones, supports peer-to-peer transactions and merchant payments, and gives seamless cross-border payments for Indian travelers and businesses in the country.
2. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
UPI is accepted at 60,000+ retail outlets via NeoPay in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The unified payment system allows Indian travelers and residents in UAE to make payments directly from their Indian bank accounts using UPI supported apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and BHIM.
This expansion was made possible through a partnership between NIPL and Network International, a leading digital commerce company in the Middle East. Both companies network together to make Indian tourists in the UAE to scan local QR codes at participating merchants and pay using UPI, just like they would in India.
This not only offers convenience and familiarity but also avoids the hassle of currency exchange or carrying cash. The move is part of a broader strategy to make UPI a globally accepted payment solution and to strengthen India-UAE fintech ties.
3. Singapore
UPI is also widely accepted in Singapore. It enables seamless cross-border payments between India and Singapore through a direct link between India’s UPI and Singapore’s PayNow system. This service was officially launched on February 21, 2023, in a virtual ceremony attended by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Lee Hsien Loong to mark a major milestone in international digital payments in the country.
The UPI–PayNow linkage allows users in both countries to send money instantly using just a mobile number or UPI ID—no need for complex bank details. It's especially beneficial for Indian migrants, students, and businesses in Singapore. It's faster, cheaper, and more convenient for remittance payments.
The integration was made possible through cooperation between NIPL, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and banking partners like SBI, ICICI, Axis, DBS Bank India, and DBS Singapore.
4. Mauritius
UPI is widely accepted in Mauritius. The unified payment system was launched in the country on February 12, 2024, making it one of the few countries outside India to adopt the digital payment system for domestic and international use.
The launch was a result of collaboration between NPCI's NIPL and the Bank of Mauritius, which they both agreed to enhance the digital payment infrastructure in the country. With UPI in Mauritius, users can make real-time payments within the country and also send or receive remittances between India and Mauritius using UPI apps.
5. France
When UPI was first rolled out in France, they started with its acceptance at key tourist locations in the country. The unified payment system was first announced in 2023, and the official launch began in early 2024. UPI in France allows Indian tourists to make payments using UPI at select merchants, especially in popular spots like the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The UPI acceptance in France was made possible through a partnership between NIPL and Lyra Network—a French payment solutions provider. The partnership allows Indian visitors to scan a UPI QR code and pay in Indian rupees, which are then converted to euros for the merchant—eliminating the need for currency exchange or international cards.
6. Cyprus
Cyprus welcomed UPI in 2025 after PM Modi’s visit. The Indian's UPI expansion into Cyprus was made possible by NIPL and Eurobank of Cyprus. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Limassol. The MoU paved the way for UPI-based cross-border payments to support tourists, businesses, and remittances.
7. Bhutan
Bhutan was the first foreign country to adopt UPI for merchant transactions. The country launched the payment service for merchants on July 2021. The initiative was made possible through a partnership between NIPL and Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan. The payment system allows Indian travelers to make payments at local merchants by scanning a QR code, and payments are made in Indian rupees and settled instantly.
On the other hand, Bhutanese merchants also benefit from increased tourism spending and reduced transaction costs. The system supports RuPay card acceptance as well, which is the best for deepening financial cooperation between the two countries and boosting digital public infrastructure in Bhutan.
8. Sri Lanka
UPI was officially launched in Sri Lanka on February 12, 2024, as part of a major step in strengthening digital payment links between India and its neighbors. The launch was a result of collaboration between NIPL and LankaPay, Sri Lanka’s national payment network that's backed and supported by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
The integration of UPI in Sri Lanka allows Indian tourists and business travelers to use UPI supported apps—like PhonePe, Google Pay, or BHIM—to make payments at local Sri Lankan merchants by scanning QR codes. The payments are made in Indian rupees and settled seamlessly, eliminating the need for currency exchange or international cards.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Indian UPI is currently accepted in these countries—France, Singapore, Nepal, UAE, Sri Lanka, Cyprus, Mauritius, Bhutan—and progressing to these countries: United Kingdom, Malaysia, Oman, Thailand, Maldives, and Qatar.
