Unified Payments Interface, or UPI, has been a game changer for digital payments in India. From shopping to purchasing your favorite device, you may instantly make a UPI payment with no additional fees. UPI is no longer confined to India, and the number of nations embracing it continues to rise.
What is UPI and how it works?
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) created the mobile-only UPI payment system in India. It makes it simple to send and receive by scanning a QR code or entering a user's phone number. Unlike other digital payment methods, the sum is deducted directly from the associated bank account.
UPI can be used with BHIM, a first-party app. Additionally, third-party platforms like PhonePe, BharatPe, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and many more can be used to access it. UPI payment is supported by the majority of banks that are formally in business in India, and it is free of charge, in contrast to credit or debit card payments.
Countries where UPI can be used
The following nations formally accept UPI payments: Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore, Mauritius, France, and the United Arab Emirates
Bhutan was one of the first countries outside of India to embrace UPI payments in 2021, in conjunction with Bhutan's Royal Monetary Authority (RMA). In addition, Bhutan was among the first nations to accept and distribute RuPay credit cards.
France was one of the first European countries to accept UPI payments, and it did so at the renowned Eiffel Tower in conjunction with Lyra. The French government has announced that more retailers in France and throughout Europe would shortly accept UPI payments. This is a significant step, particularly for tourists from India.
UAE, India's third-largest trade partner, recently established a partnership with the Indian government to promote the use of UPI payments in the nation in collaboration with Mashreq, a prominent UAE bank.
Sri Lanka and Mauritius were the latest islands to join India's UPI payment system on February 12, allowing Indian tourists to send and receive money in these countries. There are currently seven nations where UPI is available, and the list is constantly expanding.
Banks that support international UPI
Only a few banks currently enable UPI international payments, and the PhonePe database contains a complete list of banks that do.
Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, City Union Bank Limited, ESAF Small Finance Bank Limited, The Federal Bank Limited, Indian Bank, IndusInd Bank Limited, Karur Vysya Bank Limited, Punjab and Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, South Indian Bank Limited, The Cosmos Bank, and Union Bank of India.
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