National, 5th February, 2025 : In recent years, digital payments have transformed India’s financial landscape, making transactions faster, more secure, and accessible. The rise of UPI has led this change, simplifying payments for millions. Now, with UPI expanding to Nepal and Bhutan, seamless digital transactions are set to enhance cross-border travel.
In 2024, India retained its position as Nepal’s largest source of tourists, clocking over 293,000 Indian visitors. Cross border economic and cultural exchanges are common for many staying in areas bordering Nepal and Bhutan. They often trade goods at border markets, and travel for tourism or pilgrimages. As UPI adoption increases, it will usher in convenience and offer more opportunities for these cross-border connections to expand.
Simplified Cross-Border Payments:
With cross-border acceptance of UPI, payments abroad have become seamless and cashless. It reduces the risks of carrying cash and offers secure transactions. Indian travellers can use their existing UPI apps like BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, among others to pay at merchants enabled with Nepal’s mobile payment network FonePay and merchants enabled with Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMA) in Bhutan.
How to Activate UPI for International Payments
Activating UPI for international use is simple and quick:
1. Open your UPI-powered app.
2. Head to the profile section.
3. Select your bank account and look for the ‘UPI International’ or ‘UPI Global’ option (if supported by your bank).
4. Enable the feature.
5. Set the validation period, if needed, and enter your UPI PIN.
And, that’s it! UPI is ready for international payments. Remember, this feature needs to be activated separately for each app linked to your bank account.
Use UPI at popular destinations in Nepal and Bhutan
Nepal is among the first international markets to adopt UPI, a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation. Indian consumers travelling to Nepal can make real-time, secure, and convenient UPI payments at select FonePay-enabled merchants. It is available at popular sites in Nepal, such as Lumbini Monastic Sites, Chitwan, Jhapa, Pashupatinath Temple, the Bhatbhateni retail chain, etc.
Bhutan is a popular tourist destination for Indians, offering the convenience of UPI payments at select RMA-enabled merchants. Whether shopping at Thimphu’s weekend markets or enjoying their stay at prominent hotels, visitors can enjoy the same seamless payment experience they are accustomed to at home.
NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the International arm of NPCI, has enabled UPI acceptance in seven countries, including Sri Lanka, Mauritius, France (select merchants), UAE and Singapore.
As more people and businesses adopt UPI, the benefits of a less-cash economy—efficiency, security, and inclusivity—will become even more pronounced taking us closer to a fully interoperable global payments network.
