UPI Access Extended To Non-Indian Numbers For UAE-Based Indians: Know How To Use It

Indian people living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can now use Unified Payment Interface (UPI) for banking and merchant transactions even with their non-Indian mobile number. Until now, they could use it only during their visit to India, but now the coverage has been expanded. The non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the UAE can use UPI from their UAE number as well, reported Times of India. Since UPI's launch in 2016, it has grown multi-fold due to its faster, and convenient features. Unlike transacting through net banking or mobile banking apps, the UPI feature offers a modern and reliable mode of payment with QR code and 24-hour service.

At present, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) enables the linking of mobile numbers from 12 countries with UPI. These countries include Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the USA.

Who Would Benefit From This?

To avail of the UPI service, NRIs in these countries must have a non-resident external (NRE) or non-resident ordinary (NRO) account with a bank in India. This should be a participating bank to offer UPI services in these countries. These banks are the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, South Indian Bank, City Union Bank, DBS Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank, IndusInd Bank, Federal Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Yes Bank, and Equitas Small Finance Bank.

Reeju Datta, Co-founder, Cashfree Payments, a payment and banking technology company, says, “The biggest beneficiaries are Indian expats in the UAE, who will now gain direct access to UPI without needing an Indian mobile number. Whether it’s sending money home, paying utility bills, managing subscriptions, or investing in India, this move unlocks unmatched ease and speed. Users can now bypass expensive remittance channels and transact securely on familiar UPI rails, just as they would within India.”

To avail of the services, a customer needs to link their international number, in this case the UAE number, with the relevant Indian bank account along with their KYC.  

These UPI apps support linking the international mobile number with the bank account:

•                 Federal Bank (FedMobile)

•                 ICICI Bank (iMobile)

•                 IndusInd Bank (BHIM Indus Pay)

•                 South Indian Bank (SIB Mirror+)

•                 AU Small Finance Bank (BHIM AU)

•                 BHIM

•                 PhonePe

How To Register For UPI?

One only needs to download the app of a participating bank or an approved UPI app, register on it with the international mobile number, and start using it with QR code or UPI ID.

A UAE-based Indian can now use it for merchant payments including Indian and other international merchants.

“By removing the need for an Indian mobile number, millions of NRIs, especially in the UAE, can now access UPI natively”, says Datta. This would benefit Indian banks, merchants, and Indians in the UAE.