UPI Abroad: 11 Countries Where The Service Is Live And Where Indians Can Actually Pay

The type of service differs from one country to another. While some destinations allow Indian visitors to make payments at participating merchants, others currently support only cross-border money transfers. Understanding this distinction can help travellers avoid relying entirely on one payment method while abroad.

These 11 Countries Have UPI Connectivity

According to the latest government data, UPI is operational in the following countries:

Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Greece and the Maldives.

The growing international network reflects the expansion of India's digital payments ecosystem beyond its domestic market.

However, the nature of the UPI connection is not identical across all these destinations. Travellers planning to use the service for shopping, dining or other expenses should specifically check whether merchant acceptance is available at their destination.

Nine Countries Currently Support Merchant Payments

Indian travellers can currently make UPI payments at participating merchants in nine countries:

Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Cambodia.

This means eligible users can use the relevant international UPI facility to make QR-based payments at supported merchant locations.

Cambodia became the ninth country on the list in June 2026. Under the first phase of the India-Cambodia payment linkage, Indian travellers can scan Cambodia's KHQR codes at participating outlets.

The facility covers more than 4.5 million Cambodian merchants, according to government information.

Even then, travellers should not assume universal acceptance.

UPI Global Acceptance is available at select international merchant locations rather than every shop, restaurant or service provider in a participating country. Checking for the appropriate QR code or supported payment network before making a purchase remains important.

Greece And Maldives Currently Serve A Different Purpose

The UPI presence in Greece and the Maldives works differently from merchant payment arrangements available in countries such as Singapore or the UAE.

In Greece, the UPI linkage introduced in 2026 enables cross-border remittances through Eurobank. Eligible users can transfer money between India and Greece under the applicable arrangement.

The Maldives also has a cross-border remittance linkage between its instant payment system, Favara, and India's UPI. This facility became operational on 30 July 2026.

For travellers, this distinction is crucial. The availability of a UPI connection in these two countries should not currently be interpreted as blanket permission to scan and pay at local shops.

Cross-border remittances and merchant payments are separate services with different use cases.

How To Make UPI Payments At Overseas Merchants

Where international merchant payments are supported, users generally need to enable the relevant international UPI facility for the bank account through a supported UPI application.

Before travelling, it may be useful to check whether the chosen bank account and UPI app support the required international payment feature.

At a participating merchant, users should look for a supported BHIM UPI or partner-network QR code. The payment process typically involves scanning the QR code, checking the transaction details and then authorising the payment using the UPI PIN.

Travellers should carefully review the information displayed before completing the transaction.

The amount should be checked in both the foreign currency and its Indian rupee equivalent where shown. Users should also pay attention to the applicable exchange rate and any charges connected with the transaction.

According to payment experts, understanding the total cost before authorising an overseas payment can help travellers avoid surprises when the transaction is processed.

Do Not Leave Your Other Payment Options Behind

The expansion of UPI abroad can make international travel more convenient, but it does not yet make other payment methods unnecessary.

Merchant acceptance remains limited to participating locations, even in countries where international UPI payments are supported. A restaurant, shop or taxi service may not necessarily accept the facility simply because the country is included in the UPI network.

Travellers should therefore consider carrying alternative payment options, such as an international card or an appropriate amount of local currency, depending on their destination and travel plans.

This is particularly important in areas where digital payment infrastructure may vary or where international payment acceptance is limited.

Why UPI Can Still Be Useful For Overseas Travel

Despite these limitations, UPI can reduce the need to use a physical card for every eligible transaction abroad.

The familiarity of the scan-and-pay process may also make payments easier for Indian users who already rely on UPI for everyday spending.

The service can be especially useful for smaller purchases at participating merchants, although transaction limits, eligibility requirements and other conditions may apply.

According to industry observers, wider cross-border payment linkages could gradually improve convenience for Indian travellers as more international payment systems become connected.

For now, however, UPI should be treated as an additional travel payment tool rather than a complete substitute for cards or cash.

Check The Rules Before Your Departure

Before relying on UPI during an international trip, travellers should confirm whether their destination supports merchant payments or only remittance services.

It is equally important to check whether the relevant UPI app supports international transactions and whether the feature has been activated for the chosen bank account.

At the destination, look for supported QR codes and verify the transaction amount, currency conversion details and applicable charges before entering the UPI PIN.

With UPI now connected to 11 countries, Indian travellers have more digital payment options than before. But knowing exactly where the service can be used for purchases remains essential.

A little preparation can ensure that UPI adds convenience to an overseas journey without leaving travellers stranded when a merchant does not accept the payment method.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. UPI availability, merchant acceptance, eligibility, transaction limits, exchange rates and applicable charges may change. Travellers should check the latest terms and supported payment options before making international transactions.

Image Courtesy: Meta AI