IDFC FIRST Bank introduces Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for Indian users in 12 different countries: Here’s how the service operates.

IDFC FIRST Bank has introduced Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services for Indians residing in 12 countries, enabling Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to utilize the digital payment system in India without needing an Indian SIM card or facing transaction fees. Users can now associate their international phone numbers with Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts to gain access to UPI services via the IDFC FIRST Bank app. This service allows for immediate money transfers, payments via QR codes, and utility bill payments in India, all at no cost. This effort follows the National Payments Corporation of India's (NPCI) initiative to permit UPI access using international mobile numbers. The feature is currently available for users in Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). Other leading banks such as State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, along with UPI applications like Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), PhonePe, and iMobile, also provide UPI services for NRIs. Transactions are processed in Indian rupees with no foreign exchange fees, making it economical and suitable for frequent payments in India. For international travelers lacking Indian bank accounts, NPCI’s UPI One World initiative provides a prepaid UPI wallet to ensure smooth local transactions in India.