Everything you need to know about UPI for NRI users

You’re in New York, ordering Diwali gifts on Amazon India — payment done in seconds through UPI, no OTP, no Indian SIM. You land in Mumbai and book a cab outside the airport without fumbling for cash. Later, while shopping at a local store, you tap your phone and pay, just like any other Indian shopper. And when your sibling needs a quick cash gift, you send it via UPI in a few taps.

Sounds smooth? That’s the power of UPI for NRIs. You no longer need an Indian mobile number to use UPI payments while in India. Here’s how it works.

Benefits of using UPI for NRIs
 

UPI makes everyday payments faster, easier, and more secure, whether you're in India or abroad. Here’s how NRIs can benefit:

• Pay directly on Indian e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart through UPI, without needing an Indian phone number or OTP
• Easily send money to friends or family in India via P2P (Person-to-Person) payments—instantly and securely
• Make in-store payments at Indian merchants (P2M), including restaurants, retail stores, cabs, and fuel stations
• Avoid OTP delivery issues on international SIMs — UPI transactions are verified using a secure UPI PIN instead
• No need to carry cash or multiple cards — UPI lets you pay directly from your phone
• Make the most of your stay in India with a fast, frictionless, and fully digital payment experience

How to get started with UPI for NRIs
 

UPI for NRIs provides easy access to financial services when you're in India, whether it's paying for groceries, booking transport, or sending money to family. Setting it up is also easier than you might think.

In fact, if you have a UPI ID and a compatible app, you’re already halfway there. Just open your UPI-enabled app (such as the IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile Banking App), click on ‘Pay’, and check the top right corner — your UPI ID should be visible there. If it’s not, don’t worry. You can set one up in minutes.

Here's what you need to do:

1. To begin, open an NRE or NRO account with an Indian bank like IDFC FIRST Bank that supports UPI for NRIs
2. Next, download the IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile Banking App. Your UPI ID will be pre-created
3. In case your UPI ID is not already created, you can register your international number on the app easily
4. Link your NRE/NRO account to the app, create your Virtual Payment Address (VPA) and set up a UPI PIN using an OTP sent to your registered mobile number
5. Next, complete the OTP verification, and set your UPI PIN to secure the account
6. You’re now ready to use UPI for a range of purposes - whether it’s paying bills, sending gifts, or managing shared expenses with ease when in India or overseas

Please note that UPI supports international mobile numbers only from 12 countries and is enabled by 16 banks, including IDFC FIRST Bank. Ensure both your country and bank are on the approved list before setting up. A list of countries whose mobile numbers can be linked includes:

Key points to consider while using UPI as an NRI
 

1. Restrictions on fund transfers
 

• 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

2. Transaction limits for NRIs
 

• 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 ₹5,000 for 24 hours
• After the cooling period ends, you can transfer a maximum of ₹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 Indians

Why choose IDFC FIRST Bank for UPI-enabled NRI banking
 

Setting up UPI for NRIs is just the beginning - what truly matters is having a reliable partner for effortless, secure digital payments from abroad. IDFC FIRST Bank offers exactly that. Here’s how:

1. A wide range of NRI savings accounts with interest going up to 7% p.a.
2. Zero-fee banking on all savings account services 
3. Daily interest earnings and monthly payouts create a regular stream of income
4. 24/7 fund transfers in real time
5. Flexible and unrestricted repatriations with NRE accounts
6. Digitally advanced and innovative mobile banking app for easy account management and operations
7. A dedicated relationship manager for all your financial needs
8. Zero processing fee and no hidden charges on fund transfers
9. A trusted banking partner recognized amongst the World’s Best Banks 2025 in a study by Forbes in partnership with Statista

Whether you're sending money home or staying financially connected from afar, choose IDFC FIRST Bank NRI Banking Services for smarter, safer and fully digital access to India’s financial system. Explore more here.