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Quick answer: NRIs can use UPI in India with an NRE or NRO account linked to an international mobile number, but only if three things line up: the country code is supported, the bank supports linking an international number, and the UPI app supports it. UPI works for domestic payments in rupees. It is not a way of sending money abroad. A supported country on its own does not guarantee that your bank and app will work.
This is general information, not banking advice. NPCI, banks and apps change what they support, and several lists below come from bank pages and news reports. Check NPCI’s UPI for NRIs pages and your bank before you rely on any list. This guide is independent and is not affiliated with NPCI or any bank.
The rule in short
An NPCI operating circular of 10 January 2023 allowed NRE and NRO accounts linked to an international mobile number to be onboarded on UPI, with banks required to comply by 30 April 2023 (see Business Standard and the Khaitan & Co note). Regular savings accounts are excluded, payments are domestic and in rupees, and banks follow FEMA and RBI rules. NPCI’s own page is the UPI for NRIs overview, and its site lists the supported members.
Three checks before you start
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| 1. Country code | Is the country code of your overseas mobile number supported? |
| 2. Bank | Does the bank that holds your account support linking an international number? |
| 3. App | Does the UPI app you want to use support it? |
Supported countries
The original 2023 list had ten countries. ICICI Bank’s page lists twelve: Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, the UK and the USA (see ICICI Bank), and a June 2025 report on IDFC FIRST Bank launching the service lists the same twelve (see Business Standard). Lists that say ten countries are out of date. Check NPCI’s current list, since countries can be added.
Banks and apps
- Several banks offer the facility, including large private banks and some small finance banks. Reports differ on which ones, and one bank page speaks of sixteen banks. Use NPCI’s list of live member banks and your bank’s own page.
- Bank apps and the main third party UPI apps are named in reports as supporting international numbers, but support depends on the bank. ICICI says third party app support depends on the provider.
- Rollout is bank specific. A bank can offer NRE or NRO accounts without having enabled the feature.
Setting it up
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register your overseas mobile number with your bank. Some banks ask you to email the NRI desk. |
| 2 | Choose a supported app and download it. |
| 3 | Complete the app’s onboarding: verify the number by SMS, create a UPI ID and choose the NRE or NRO account. |
| 4 | Set the UPI PIN with the method the bank allows, such as a debit card or Aadhaar. |
ICICI’s page gives the steps for its own app. They include verifying the mobile number by SMS, creating a UPI ID, choosing the account and setting the PIN with a debit card or Aadhaar based verification. Use Wi-Fi, with no roaming needed. If you later switch to an Indian SIM, you need a new UPI ID, and a UPI ID inactive for 12 months is deactivated, according to ICICI.
Common setup problems
- “Number is not registered with the bank”. The number on file is not the one you are using. Confirm the number and the country code with the bank.
- The SMS does not arrive. SMS messages to international numbers can fail. Check your roaming or messaging settings, and ask the bank what it supports.
- An account type is not accepted. Banks differ on NRE and NRO. ICICI allows NRE to NRE, NRE to NRO, NRE or NRO to resident and NRO to NRO, but not NRO to NRE. Other banks differ, so ask yours.
- Pay to contact does not work. It works only for Indian numbers that have a UPI ID. Use a QR code, a UPI ID or an account transfer instead. A payee needs a UPI ID or QR for you to pay them.
Limits and charges
- ICICI lists INR 1 lakh a day, a new UPI ID limit of INR 5,000 for the first 24 hours on Android or 72 hours on iOS, and education and medical payments to verified merchants up to INR 5 lakh. HDFC Bank lists INR 1 lakh or 20 transactions in 24 hours (see HDFC Bank). NPCI sets general limits that banks apply, so check your bank.
- ICICI and IDFC FIRST say there is no fee currently. Others may charge.
What UPI for NRIs is not
- It is not a cross border remittance service. Payments are domestic and in rupees. To send money abroad, see the guide to sending property sale proceeds abroad.
- It is not the same as UPI One World, a separate prepaid wallet for visitors loaded with an international card. Its availability and limits are reported differently, so check NPCI.
Where it helps an NRI owner
UPI is useful for society charges, utility bills and small local payments for a flat you own. Some bills accept only Indian payment methods, so a working UPI setup helps. See the guide to running a vacant flat from abroad for the bills that come due, and the guide to opening an NRI bank account for opening and operating an NRI account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an NRI use UPI with an overseas mobile number?
Yes, with an NRE or NRO account at a bank that supports linking an international number, a supported country code and a UPI app that supports it.
Which countries are supported?
ICICI Bank lists twelve: Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, the UK and the USA. Check NPCI for the current list.
Does a supported country guarantee it will work?
No. Your bank and your app must also support it.
Can I send money abroad with UPI?
No. UPI for NRIs is for domestic payments in rupees.
Why is my SMS not arriving?
SMS to international numbers can fail. Check the number and country code on file with the bank and ask what it supports.
Is UPI One World the same thing?
No. It is a separate prepaid wallet product for visitors. Check NPCI for its current availability.
Sources
| Point | Source |
|---|---|
| The rule | Business Standard, Khaitan & Co and NPCI |
| Countries and setup | ICICI Bank and Business Standard on IDFC FIRST |
| Limits | ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank |
| Live member lists | NPCI |
Reviewed on 30 October 2026. NPCI’s supported member and country lists, bank limits and app support change, so check NPCI and your bank before you rely on this guide. This guide is not an official notice.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any government body.
