UPI for NRIs: What It Is, Eligibility, and the Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started

byPaytm Editorial TeamLast Updated: November 17, 2025

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has fundamentally changed how India transacts, making cash an option, not a necessity. For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), this revolutionary system was once cumbersome, requiring them to maintain an active Indian mobile number.

However, thanks to a major initiative by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), using UPI with your international mobile number is now a reality. This guide breaks down what UPI for NRIs is, who is eligible, and how exactly you can set it up to make seamless payments back home.

What is UPI for NRIs?

UPI for NRIs is the extension of India’s flagship real-time payment system to Non-Resident Indian (NRI) account holders.

Essentially, it allows you to link your non-resident Indian bank accounts (NRE or NRO) to a UPI application using your international mobile number. This gives you the power to make instant, 24/7 payments in Indian Rupees (INR) for utilities, merchant purchases, and transfers to family in India, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Game-Changing NPCI Circular

Previously, an NRI could only use UPI if they maintained an Indian SIM card for the mandatory mobile number verification.

In a significant move in January 2023, the NPCI issued a circular enabling banks to allow non-resident accounts (NRE/NRO) to be onboarded onto the UPI system using their international mobile numbers. This crucial update eliminates the need for an active Indian mobile number, simplifying the digital experience for the Indian diaspora.

2. Eligibility Criteria: Can I Use UPI as an NRI?

To activate and use UPI with an international mobile number, you must meet the following criteria as mandated by the NPCI and your bank:

The 10 Initially Supported Countries

As per the NPCI circular, the facility was initially enabled for mobile numbers with country codes from the following 10 countries:

  1. Singapore
  2. Australia
  3. Canada
  4. Hong Kong
  5. Oman
  6. Qatar
  7. USA
  8. Saudi Arabia
  9. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  10. United Kingdom (UK)

 While this is the initial list specified by the NPCI, the list of supported countries is continuously expanding.

3. How to Set Up UPI for Your NRE/NRO Account (Step-by-Step)

The process is similar to how a resident Indian sets up UPI, with the critical first step being the linking of your international number to your Indian bank account.

You must first ensure your international mobile number is updated and registered as the primary number for your NRE/NRO bank account. This is usually done by submitting a form to your bank’s NRI branch or through their online NRI portal.

 This step can sometimes take a few days for the bank to process.

Step 2: Download a Compatible UPI App

Download a UPI app that supports NRI onboarding with international mobile numbers. Compatible apps.

    Step 3: Verify Your International Mobile Number

    1. Open the UPI app and select the option to register a new account.
    2. Enter your international mobile number (including the full country code, e.g., +1 for USA, +971 for UAE).
    3. The app will send a verification SMS from your phone to confirm the number is active and linked to a bank account in India.
    1. Once the number is verified, the app will prompt you to Select Your Bank from a list.
    2. Select the bank where you hold the NRE/NRO account.
    3. The app will automatically fetch the linked account details (NRE/NRO) tied to your registered international mobile number.

    Step 5: Set Your UPI PIN

    1. Select the linked bank account and choose the option to Set UPI PIN.
    2. You will need your Debit Card associated with that NRE/NRO account to verify your identity (last 6 digits of the card number and expiry date).
    3. Create your 4-digit or 6-digit UPI PIN.

    You are now ready to transact!

    4. Using UPI as an NRI: Limitations and Features

    Once set up, your NRI UPI experience is almost identical to that of a resident Indian, but with a few key points to keep in mind:

    UPI for NRIs marks a major leap in digital convenience, giving the Indian diaspora a seamless, instant, and cost-effective method to manage finances and make payments in their home country.

    Author

    Paytm Editorial Team

    The Paytm Editorial Team is a collaborative group of writers, editors, and industry experts. We're dedicated to bringing you the latest insights, news, and guides on digital payments, financial services, and the technology that's shaping India's economy. We offer easy-to-follow guides and insights to help you explore Paytm’s products, features, and services. Our goal is to provide clear, reliable, and helpful information to empower you on your financial journey.

    FAQs
    No. You must link a Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) account held with an Indian bank. UPI only works with Indian bank accounts; it does not support direct linkage to foreign currency accounts abroad.

    Does UPI allow me to transfer money from my foreign currency (e.g., USD/EUR) account to an Indian account?

    No. UPI is a payments interface that only processes transactions in Indian Rupees (INR). It is not a foreign exchange remittance platform. You can only use UPI to transact with the INR funds already available in your linked NRE or NRO account.

    Are there any transaction fees for NRIs using UPI?

    UPI is generally free for end-users for standard Person-to-Person (P2P) and Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions in India. You should, however, check with your specific Indian bank regarding any charges related to your NRE/NRO account maintenance.

    What if I live in a country that is not on the initial 10-country list provided by NPCI?

    The list of supported countries is constantly expanding. If your country is not on the initial list, check directly with your NRE/NRO account holding bank (e.g., ICICI, HDFC, SBI). They will confirm if they have enabled UPI registration for your specific international country code.

    I still have an active Indian mobile number and an international number. Which one should I link?

    You must link the mobile number that is officially registered as the primary number for your NRE/NRO account with your Indian bank. If you use your international number primarily, ensure you first update your bank records to link that international number to your NRE/NRO account.
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