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Whether you are buying groceries, paying your auto-rickshaw driver, or booking a luxury hotel, chances are you’ve done it via UPI. The simple act of pointing your phone at a QR code and entering a few digits has become a reflex for regular users, which does not require any conscious effort. As of October 2025, approximately 491 million people in India actively use UPI across banks and platforms. While this financial ritual is well-ingrained in India, international travel can pose challenges, as not all countries have adopted UPI yet.
The most recent addition is Qatar, where Indian travellers can now use UPI easily at major tourist spots and Duty Free outlets. NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), in partnership with Qatar National Bank (QNB), has introduced QR code-based UPI acceptance at point-of-sale terminals across Qatar for merchants acquired by QNB. As you celebrate this Middle Eastern victory, here is a comprehensive list of all the countries where NPCI has given UPI payments a green signal.
Bhutan was the first country to adopt UPI through the BHIM app in 2021. Indian travelers can now make seamless QR-based payments at select Bhutanese merchants. Over the years, UPI adoption has boosted digital payments in small towns, making cashless transactions more common. 1 INR = 0.11 BTN
This European country gave a green signal to UPI in February 2024 at Eiffel Tower in a beautiful ceremony. However, UPI payments can only be made at select merchant outlets across major cities. Over the time, several French banks have started supporting instant cross-border transfers via UPI, simplifying remittances. 1 INR = 0.011 EUR
In this tropical paradise tourists can directly pay through their bank accounts using UPI at partnered stores and service providers. This has made digital payments popular among micro-merchants, reducing reliance on cash. The service was initially launched in February, 2024. 1 INR = 0.051 MUR
UPI entered the hilly region of Nepal via Fonepay in 2024, allowing Indians to pay for everyday services and make hotel or restaurant transactions instantly. Since then it has boosted digital payments for small businesses catering to Indian tourists, making cashless transactions smoother. 1 INR = 1.57 NPR
UPI is linked with the PayNow system in Singapore for instant payments, supporting both retail and peer-to-peer transactions. The financial service was first launched in 2023. Several fintech apps in Singapore now allow Indian users to top up accounts or pay bills using UPI directly. 1 INR = 0.017 SGD
In Sri Lanka select merchants accept UPI payments, reducing the need for currency exchange. Travellers also save the unnecessary ATM fees, as payments go straight from Indian bank accounts. 1 INR = 0.27 LKR
UAE is a popular shopping destination for Indian travellers and the Middle Eastern country has tapped into their comfort space with this digital payment. UPI is accepted at outlets across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, enabling a secure, comfortable shopping experience. Additionally it is popular among Indian expatriates who send instant remittances back home. 1 INR = 0.043 AED
Recently integrated via Qatar National Bank, UPI allows Indian visitors to pay at major retail and tourist locations. The system supports real-time QR-based payments, eliminating the need for currency conversion at many stores. 1 INR = 0.045 QAR
