NRIs Can Now Use UPI in India With International Mobile Numbers

NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT

In a major step toward easing digital payments for the Indian diaspora, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can now access India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) using their international mobile numbers. Released on June 25, 2025, this service is free, operates in Indian rupees, and works on UPI-enabled apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, eliminating the need for an Indian SIM card.

IDFC First Bank is among the first to offer this feature, enabling NRIs holding NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) accounts to register for UPI using their mobile numbers from 12 supported countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Hong Kong, and France.

The development follows a directive issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in January 2023, instructing the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to allow UPI access to NRIs with international numbers. Since then, multiple banks have worked on integrating the feature into their platforms.

According to IDFC First Bank, the service supports seamless transactions in Indian rupees without any currency conversion or foreign exchange charges. NRIs can use it to pay merchants, send money to family, pay utility bills, and more—just as resident Indians do.

To activate UPI on an international number, customers must ensure that their overseas mobile number is registered with their Indian bank account. After linking the account through a UPI-enabled app and completing SMS verification, users can set a UPI PIN and begin transacting.

ICICI Bank also began offering similar services in 2024 via its iMobile Pay app, and other major banks, including SBI, HDFC, and Axis Bank, are expected to roll out the feature soon.

✅ Who is eligible?

1. You must be an NRI
   • Non-Resident Indian (living abroad) or Person of Indian Origin (PIO)/OCI. American citizens of Indian origin typically qualify under these definitions
2. Must hold an NRE or NRO account
   • This UPI facility is available only to those holding an NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account with a participating Indian bank such as IDFC First Bank or ICICI Bank
3. Your U.S. mobile number is valid
   • International mobile numbers from the USA are supported. Participants include IDFC First Bank (12 countries including the USA)

✅ What you get

• Zero transaction fees when using UPI in India with your U.S. SIM — transactions run in INR without added currency conversion by the user
• Works on major UPI apps (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and ICICI’s iMobile Pay). No Indian SIM needed
• Functionality includes sending money, bill payments, merchant purchases, and QR code scans

📋 How to set it up (U.S. number)

For IDFC First Bank:

1. Ensure you hold an NRE/NRO account with them.
2. Register your U.S. number via their app or branch.
3. Download a UPI app (e.g., Google Pay).
4. Register using your U.S. mobile number, verify OTP, set UPI PIN.
5. Start transacting in INR with zero fees n

For ICICI Bank:

1. Have an NRE/NRO account with ICICI.
2. Use your U.S. mobile number in iMobile Pay.
3. In the app: go to UPI Payments → Manage → My Profile → Register mobile → Create UPI ID → Set account → Submit

✳ Daily transaction limits

• ICICI Bank allows up to ₹100,000 per day via UPI for NRIs — check your bank’s own limits