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Guide to UPI for NRI: Setup, eligibility & benefits

Key Takeaways

NRIs can now make UPI payments by linking their NRE/NRO accounts with an international mobile number.
The NPCI has enabled UPI for NRIs from 12 countries with specific banks offering this facility.
NRIs can send and receive money, pay utility bills, and make merchant payments in India via UPI without bearing additional charges.
UPI transactions are fast, encrypted, and protected by two-factor authentication, ensuring secure fund transfers.

27 Mar 2025 by Team FinFIRST

UPI payments for NRIs: A seamless way to transact in India

UPI Payments for NRIs: How to use UPI from abroad

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has changed the way digital payments work in India. They have made transactions seamless, hassle-free, and instant. Earlier, this facility could only be used by Indian residents, but owing to recent advancements, UPI can now be utilised by NRIs for various transactions.

This development benefits NRIs, such as students studying abroad and overseas businesses, helping them efficiently manage payments in India. Be it sending money to family, purchasing something online, or paying bills, UPI reduces reliance on utilisation of bank details and expensive remittance services.

If you open an NRE account or an NRO account, you can take advantage of the convenience offered by India’s digital payment ecosystem.

How can NRIs and PIOs invest in mutual funds in India?

Comprehensive Rules for NRI Investment in India

What is UPI and how does it work?

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time payment system in India, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It helps individuals link bank accounts to UPI for instant fund transfers with a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) or a mobile number. The sender may alternatively scan a QR code to make payments.

Can NRIs Use UPI in India?

The answer to the query, ‘Can NRI use UPI?’ is yes.  NRIs can pay via UPI with their NRE or NRO Account from a bank that is eligible. To do so, they can simply link their account with an international mobile number from an eligible country.

The eligibility criteria for NRIs are as follows:

Must have an NRO or NRE Account with an Indian bank that is UPI-enabled.

Should register using a mobile number from a supported country with a UPI app, such as BHIM or PhonePe.

Must ensure the mobile number is active and can receive OTPs.

The bank must ensure compliance with FEMA regulations and follow anti-money laundering guidelines.

Countries where NRIs can use UPI

UPI payment for NRI may be supported by the following countries:

List of supported countries and ISD codes

Country	ISD Code
Hong Kong	852
United States of America	1
Canada	1
Australia	61
United Arab Emirates	971
Singapore	65
United Kingdom	44
Saudi Arabia	966
Oman	968
Qatar	974
Germany	49
Malaysia	60
Netherlands	31
France	33
South Africa	27
New Zealand	64

Which accounts support UPI for NRIs?

NRIs can use UPI by linking their Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts to a supported mobile number. IDFC FIRST Bank has enabled UPI for NRO and NRE accounts to support transactional convenience.

How to activate UPI for NRI Accounts (Step-by-Step)

NRI UPI payments and setup are quite straightforward. Follow these simple steps to activate UPI international using your NRE/NRO account and international number:

Choose an UPI app like the IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile App that comes with global mobile number support.
Sign up using your international number (ensure it is registered with your NRE/NRO account).
Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and choose IDFC FIRST Bank from the list of banks.
Select your account and create a secure UPI PIN for transactions.
Begin making payments, scanning QR codes, or transferring funds using your global number.

Update Mobile Number

Common Issues NRIs face with UPI

Account restrictions
UPI is currently limited to domestic transactions within India. NRIs cannot send money overseas through UPI. Transactions must comply with FEMA guidelines and cannot violate foreign exchange regulations.

Usage limits
UPI has daily and per-transaction limits, which vary across banks. After setting up an account, there is a cooling period with a transaction amount limit of Rs. 5,000 for 24 hours. After the cooling period ends, you can transfer a maximum of Rs. 1 Lakh per day with the number of transactions limited to 24 times in a day. Some banks have lower limits on UPI transactions for NRIs compared to resident Indian accounts.

Technical Glitches
Technical issues can be resolved by contacting the bank.

Country Support Limitations
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has only offered support for UPI transactions in certain countries.

Benefits of UPI for NRIs

1. Instant money transfers:
UPI enables hassle-free transfer and receipt of money across India for NRIs . Transactions can be done through QR codes, UPI IDs or phone numbers.

2. Paying bills in India from abroad:
NRIs can pay utility bills, school fees, EMIs, insurance premiums, subscriptions, and more in India from anywhere in the world.

3. Secure and reliable transactions:
UPI is protected by two-factor authentication and encryption. This helps reduce the risk of fraud. For each transaction, a UPI PIN is essential.

Why use IDFC FIRST Bank for UPI

UPI is now available for NRIs through international mobile numbers linked to NRE or NRO accounts. With IDFC FIRST Bank, NRI customers can use the mobile banking app or any compatible UPI app to scan QR codes, transfer funds, pay utility bills, and send money to family in India. This enables seamless access to everyday banking and payments from supported countries across the world.

Conclusion

With the introduction of UPI for NRIs, the management of financial transactions has become simpler and more accessible in India. By linking an IDFC FIRST Bank NRE/NRO account to UPI, individuals can make secure and cost-effective payments with ease.

Be it sending money to loved ones or paying bills, UPI reduces hurdles and enables a seamless banking experience. However, it is important to stay updated on transaction limits and regulations to use the facility with care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UPI available for NRE and NRO accounts?

Yes. UPI can be used by individuals with both NRO and NRE accounts in India. These accounts can be used to make various UPI-associated transactions.

Do NRIs need an Indian mobile number for UPI?

No, NRIs do not need an Indian mobile number for UPI use. They can link UPI to their NRE or NRO accounts via an international mobile number, provided the UPI facility is available in their country of residence.

What are the charges for UPI payments for NRIs?

Parameter	Limit/Charge
Daily transaction limit	₹1,00,000 (cumulative value) or up to 20 transactions
New UPI ID limit	₹5,000 for the first 24 hours
Post-24-hour limit	Reset to ₹1,00,000
Transaction charges	Generally NIL as per app/bank policy

*These limits apply to all UPI international users, including NRIs using their international numbers.
*Actual limits may vary depending on the UPI app or the respective bank’s policies.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.

The features, benefits and offers mentioned in the article are applicable as on the day of publication of this blog and is subject to change without notice. The contents herein are also subject to other product specific terms and conditions and any third party terms and conditions, as applicable. Please refer our website www.idfcfirst.bank.in for latest updates.