Pay the Indian way abroad: Here’s the complete list of nations that allow UPI

From Bhutan to Qatar, here’s everywhere Indians can now scan and pay abroad

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a QR code-based payment system developed in India, has quietly evolved into a global phenomenon. What started as a domestic digital revolution is now turning into an international passport for payments.

The latest to join the club is Qatar, where NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Qatar National Bank (QNB) have enabled UPI acceptance across merchant terminals. For Indians, the second-largest group of visitors to Qatar, this means fewer currency hassles and faster, familiar transactions.

The full list of UPI-accepting countries

So far, eight countries have rolled out UPI acceptance, either through local partnerships or direct integration with their payment networks.

Here’s the complete list:

Bhutan – the first country outside India to adopt UPI, enabling QR payments across shops and services.
France – UPI can be used for retail purchases and is being expanded through fintech partnerships.
Mauritius – tied up with NPCI to allow UPI and RuPay card acceptance, boosting tourism flows.
Nepal – enabled UPI to deepen cross-border financial connectivity with India.
Singapore – linked UPI with its PayNow system, allowing instant cross-border transfers.
Sri Lanka – enabled UPI for Indian tourists, easing travel and trade payments.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) – rolled out UPI for retail and hospitality sectors, popular with Indian expats.
Qatar – the newest addition, starting with Qatar Duty Free outlets at airports.

Why this expansion matters

For Indian travellers, the convenience is obvious:

No forex queues = Payments happen instantly in rupees, with merchants getting their local currency.
Safer than cards =  UPI eliminates the need to carry cash or swipe international cards.
Tourism boost = Countries benefit by attracting Indian travellers who are already used to UPI.

What is UPI
Unified Payments Interface (UPI), developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), allows instant money transfers using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) or UPI ID. It eliminates the need to share bank account details or carry physical cash, making it safe and seamless.

UPI’s momentum at home

The global rollout comes at a time when UPI is hitting new records domestically. In August 2025, UPI processed over 20 billion transactions worth nearly Rs 25 lakh crore. Daily transactions have doubled in two years, and the government has set its sights on 1 billion transactions a day within the next year.