UPI Ties Up With Nepal’s NPI For Instant Cross Border P2P Remittances

Sending money between India and Nepal may become quicker for many users with the launch of a new payment link connecting the two countries’ digital payment systems. NPCI International Payments (NIPL) and Nepal Clearing House (NCHL), on June 9, 2026 announced the launch of a cross-border remittance service linking India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Nepal’s National Payments Interface (NPI).

The service allows person-to-person (P2P) transfers between the two countries. Users can send funds using a recipient’s mobile number or virtual payment address (VPA) instead of entering bank account details. The facility has gone live through select banks and is expected to be expanded to more institutions later.

What Changes for Users

Under the arrangement, users in India can transfer money directly to recipients in Nepal through participating channels. The service also allows eligible users in Nepal to send money to recipients in India using UPI IDs.

The linked payment systems will process transactions in real time, thereby reducing the waiting period often associated with some traditional remittance methods. Users are not required to share detailed bank account information to complete a transfer.

Cross-border remittances are commonly used by families, workers and students with financial links in both countries. The new service adds another option for moving money across the border through digital payment networks.

Wider Push for Cross-Border Payments

Payment system operators in several countries have been exploring ways to connect domestic digital payment networks to make international transfers simpler and faster. The UPI-NPI linkage is part of this broader network.

According to UPI and NPI, the service is intended to support P2P remittances and improve access to digital transfer channels for users on both sides of the border.

Rollout to Expand

The service is currently available through selected banks. NIPL and NCHL have said that additional banks are expected to join the network in the coming months.

NIPL, a subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), oversees the international expansion of UPI and RuPay payment systems. NCHL operates Nepal's payment and settlement infrastructure, including NPI.

The organisations have also mentioned that the linkage will support real-time remittance transactions between participating users in India and Nepal through the connected payment networks.