NRIs Can Now Use UPI with Foreign Mobile Numbers — A Major Leap in Convenience

In a significant development for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has recently enabled NRIs to link their NRE (Non-Resident External) and NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) bank accounts to Unified Payments Interface (UPI) using their foreign mobile numbers. This move marks a transformative step toward simplifying digital payments for the global Indian diaspora.

Earlier, NRIs could use UPI only if they had an Indian mobile number linked to their bank account. This requirement often posed logistical challenges for many NRIs who did not maintain an active Indian SIM card, especially when residing overseas for extended periods.

With this new update, NRIs can now register and link their international mobile numbers (for example, UAE +971, US +1, UK +44, etc.) directly to UPI apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, and others, provided their respective Indian banks support this feature.

• Individuals holding NRE or NRO accounts with Indian banks.
• The international mobile number must be registered with the bank.
• The facility is currently extended to SIM cards from select countries including USA, UK, UAE, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and a few others, with more countries expected to be added progressively.

• Seamless transactions during India visits: NRIs can now make instant UPI payments in India without the hassle of obtaining or maintaining an Indian SIM card.
• Remote expense management: They can easily pay utility bills, manage investments, and make other payments in India while living abroad.
• Enhanced investment and tracking convenience: Manage Indian financial commitments more efficiently through a unified and secure platform.

• Not all banks and UPI apps may support this feature immediately; NRIs are advised to check with their respective banks and app providers for availability.
• KYC compliance and proper linking of the international number to the bank account are essential prerequisites.

This initiative not only empowers NRIs with greater control and flexibility over their financial transactions in India but also significantly promotes the adoption of UPI on a global scale. By eliminating the dependency on Indian mobile numbers, NRIs can remain connected to India’s digital payment ecosystem seamlessly and securely.

At Zenify Consultancy Services, we assist NRIs with comprehensive taxation and financial compliance solutions, ensuring they can make the most of such advancements confidently and compliantly.