What is UPI for NRIs?
UPI for NRIs lets Non-Resident Indians make instant payments in Indian Rupees (INR) using their NRE or NRO accounts. You can link your international mobile number and use it with UPI-enabled apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, and more. All UPI transactions comply with RBI and FEMA regulations.
NRIs can utilise UPI for their daily needs, such as sending money to their family in India, paying rent back home, purchasing groceries during their visits to India, or setting up recurring payments.
However, during your stay in India, UPI for NRI accounts can only be used for domestic payments and cannot be used to send money abroad. This lets them enjoy the same fast, secure, and convenient UPI service as residents in India.
What are the Features of UPI for NRI Account?
The key features of UPI facility offered to NRIs are as follows:
- Link Your International Number: You can connect your international mobile number through the Indian bank's NRI portal.
- Get Your UPI ID: The system automatically generates a unique UPI ID, such as name@bank. You can use this to send or receive money instantly.
- Pay Using QR Codes: You can scan QR codes at shops or restaurants to make instant payments.
- Collect Money Easily: Send a payment request to any UPI ID in India. The person approves it with their UPI PIN.
- Set Up Auto-Pay: You can schedule recurring payments for insurance, IPOs, or subscriptions. Each UPI payment from your NRI account can be up to ₹2 lakh.
- Pay Bills Smoothly: Use your UPI app to pay electricity, mobile, or credit card bills directly.
- Keep Track of Transactions: You can receive real-time alerts for every payment and check the transaction statement of past months anytime in the app.
How is UPI Helpful for NRIs?
NRIs can use UPI for almost everything Indian residents can, for example-
-
UPI Payments ALLOWED for NRIs
- Pay Indian merchants using UPI for NRI account
- Pay using QR codes
- Pay for hotel, travel and shopping
- Send money to the Indian family
- Pay rent, bills and subscriptions
- Recharge Indian mobile numbers/DTH
- Donate to temples, NGOs and trusts
- Transfer money between NRE and NRO accounts (if the bank supports)
-
UPI Payments NOT ALLOWED for NRIs
- UPI International Transfer (sending money from abroad directly into India) is still not allowed
- Cannot link foreign bank accounts to UPI
- Cannot use UPI for outward remittance
Check the following facilities for UPI for NRI Account in India:
| Scenario |
Can It Be Done? |
Alternatives (2026) |
| NRI → Family or Merchant in India |
Yes (P2P / QR) |
Not needed |
| India → Foreign Bank (Outbound) |
No |
Wise, Remitly, NEFT/RTGS, PayPal |
| Cross-border UPI linkages (e.g., UPI-PayNow Singapore) |
Inbound to India only |
Not available for outbound |
| Merchant QR for tourists abroad |
No |
Not applicable |
Who Can Use UPI for NRI?
You can use UPI for NRI investments and other payments if you fulfil the following criteria:
- A valid NRE or NRO bank account
- An international mobile number linked to the bank account
- A bank that supports NRI UPI onboarding
- A UPI app with international number support
Which Banks Support NRI UPI Payments?
NRI UPI payments are enabled by these banks with international number support in 2026:
- IDFC First Bank: First major rollout (June 2025), covers all 12 countries.
- ICICI Bank: Full support, easy NRI portal linkage.
- Axis Bank: Available, quick setup.
- SBI: YONO app testing/phased rollout.
- HDFC Bank: In progress, check NRI services.
- Bank of Baroda: Planned support.
- PNB: Planned support.
- Federal Bank (FedMobile): aligns via third-party apps like PhonePe.
How to Make a UPI Setup for NRIs?
The UPI for NRI account setup starts with bank registration:
- Step 1: Update the international number in the bank's NRI portal/net banking.
- Step 2: Download the Indian version app, such as PhonePe, Google Pay, BHIM, or Paytm.
- Step 3: Enter your international mobile number and verify it through an OTP.
- Step 4: Select your NRE/NRO account.
- Step 5: Set PIN using your debit card details.
- Step 6: Test your UPI with a ₹1 transfer. New IDs are capped at ₹5,000 for the first 24 hours.
What are the Verified UPI Limits for NRIs?
NPCI standards must be followed for NRI UPI payment limits:
| Limit Type |
Amount |
Details (2026) |
| Per Transaction |
₹1 lakh |
Standard P2P/P2M across apps |
| Daily Limit |
₹1 lakh |
Cumulative value, max 20 transactions a day |
| New UPI ID (first 24 hrs) |
₹5,000 |
Activation restriction |
| IPO/Credit Card/Mandates |
Up to ₹2 lakh (per txn), ₹5-10 lakh daily (Sep 2025 update for capital/insurance) |
Bank-specific, e.g., IDFC/ICICI |
| Monthly |
No fixed NPCI cap (₹3-5 lakh typical per bank) |
Varies by bank/UPI app |
IMPORTANT: You can use NEFT/RTGS for larger sum payments. Also, check with your Indian bank (e.g., ICICI NRI portal) for custom higher limits.
What are the Charges for NRI UPI Payments?
UPI payments are for the following types of transactions for NRI:
- Merchant QR payments
- P2P transfers
- Bill payments
- Recharges
NOTE: Some banks may charge SMS fees on international numbers.
Difference Between UPI for NRI vs Resident UPI
The following are the key differences between the UPI for NRI account and the UPI for Resident Indian account:
| Feature |
Resident UPI |
UPI for NRI |
| Mobile number |
Indian |
International |
| Account type |
Resident savings |
NRE/NRO |
| Merchant payments |
✔ |
✔ |
| QR code payments |
✔ |
✔ |
| P2P transfers |
✔ |
✔ |
| Foreign bank linking |
✖ |
✖ |
| UPI international transfer |
Limited |
Limited |
| Works abroad |
✔ |
✔ |
Is UPI International Transfer Possible in 2026?
As of December 2025, UPI does not permit international transfers from India to foreign bank accounts. It works only for domestic INR transactions within India. NRIs can use UPI to send or receive money between Indian accounts, such as NRE/NRO accounts, to family members' UPI IDs.
Which Countries Support the NRI UPI Payments in 2026?
As of December 2025, 12 countries are confirmed to be fully supported across multiple banks per NPCI guidelines and bank rollouts:
| Country |
Country Code |
| USA |
+1 |
| UK |
+44 |
| UAE |
+971 |
| Canada |
+1 |
| Australia |
+61 |
| Singapore |
+65 |
| Hong Kong |
+852 |
| Qatar |
+974 |
| Oman |
+968 |
| Saudi Arabia |
+966 |
| Malaysia |
+60 |
| France |
+33 |
What are the Benefits of UPI for NRIs?
The following are some of the key benefits of UPI transactions for NRIs:
- NRIs can send money in real-time, 24/7, with no domestic fees.
- You don't need an Indian SIM or visit a bank. UPI works from over 12 countries.
- UPI transactions are secure, thanks to NPCI encryption and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks. This protects your money from fraud.
- NRIs can pay bills, shop online, invest, or send money to their family.
Drawbacks of UPI for NRIs
UPI works only in Indian Rupees (INR) and cannot be used to send money outside India. NRIs who require foreign currency transfers can utilise platforms like Wise or Remitly, in addition to UPI.
Conclusion
UPI for NRI is a convenient, secure, and fast way for Non-Resident Indians to manage finances in India. With easy setup, instant payments, and international support, NRIs can now handle UPI payments from anywhere, making it an essential tool for seamless money transfers and payments.
Invest 18k/month & get 2 Crore# Tax-Free*
Manage your funds online60k + happy customers across 25+ countries
Compare & Choose30+ Plans and 150+ Fund options
