UPI, which has become the identity of digital payment in India, has now reached its reach in many countries of the world. Its advantage is that Indian travelers can now make direct payments through UPI at many places even while traveling abroad. This reduces the hassle of keeping cash and exchanging currency to a great extent. At present, UPI based payment facility is available in 9 countries of the world (which also includes France and Singapore) and its scope is continuously increasing.
Bhutan became the first foreign country
Bhutan was the first country outside India to adopt UPI. Here, Indian travelers can easily pay through UPI at more than 20,000 merchant locations. From shopping to hotel booking and activities like trekking, many types of payments can be done digitally. The success of UPI in Bhutan opened the way for other countries to adopt this technology and gave global recognition to India’s digital payment system.
France opened the way in Europe
In February 2024, France became the first European country to adopt UPI. This facility started after the partnership between NPCI International and Lyra. At present, its main use is in booking tickets from the official website of the Eiffel Tower. Although the practice of cash payments is still strong in France, the entry of UPI has made payments more convenient than ever for Indian tourists.
Easy payments in Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka
UPI and RuPay services were launched in Mauritius in February 2024. After this, Indian travelers can make digital payments throughout the island. Whereas in Nepal, with the collaboration of NPCI International and PhonePe Network, UPI payment has become possible through apps like Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm. Following the partnership with LankaQR network in Sri Lanka, direct and secure payments can be made from Indian bank accounts, reducing the need for tourists to carry cash.
Real Time Transactions in Singapore
UPI and PayNow networks were connected in Singapore in 2023. After this partnership, Indian users can make real time payments directly from their bank accounts. Paying for shopping, restaurants and other services has become very easy. It also provides a lot of relief from the hassle of currency exchange and many additional charges. It is considered one of India’s most successful international digital payment agreements.
Scope increased in UAE and Qatar also
UPI service was started in the United Arab Emirates i.e. UAE from July 2024. Here Indian tourists can make payment at more than 2 lakh terminals of Network International. Qatar also adopted UPI with the cooperation of NPCI and Qatar National Bank. The biggest benefit of this service, which started in September 2025, has been to Indian tourists, who now have to depend less on cash or currency exchange.
Cambodia becomes the new country to join UPI
Cambodia also joined the UPI network in June 2026. This became possible after the launch of cross border QR payment system between India and Cambodia. This facility has been started in collaboration with NPCI International Payments Limited and ACLEDA Bank. Now Indian travelers can pay through UPI at many merchant outlets in Cambodia.
Why is UPI beneficial in traveling abroad?
The biggest feature of UPI is that Indian travelers can use their familiar payment medium abroad also. This reduces the risk of holding cash and speeds up the payment process. Although there is no separate transaction fee for payments through UPI, international transfer fees and foreign currency exchange rates may apply as specified by the bank. Despite this, this facility is making traveling abroad much easier and convenient than before.
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