NPCI Introduces QR-Based UPI Payments For Overseas Delegates

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched QR-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments for delegates coming from across the world to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The facility is being offered through the UPI One World wallet as a pilot for people in more than 40 countries.

The summit is scheduled from February 16 to 20. During this period, foreign visitors can make person-to-merchant (P2M) payments by scanning UPI QR codes. They do not need an Indian bank account or a local mobile number to use the service.

How the UPI One World Wallet Works

The UPI One World wallet is issued through authorised prepaid payment instrument (PPI) providers. Foreign delegates can access the service at New Delhi International Airport and at the NPCI pavilion at Bharat Mandapam.

To use the wallet, visitors must download the CheqUPI application by Transcorp from their respective app stores. They will be asked to enter their mobile number, name and email address, and upload passport and visa details. The process includes a selfie verification step. After setting a UPI pin, a unique UPI ID is generated within the application.

Users can load the wallet using an international debit or credit card. The current limit allows loading up to Rs 25,000 per transaction. A maximum of two wallet loadings is permitted per month, with a total cap of Rs 50,000. Any unused balance can be transferred back to the original payment source in line with foreign exchange regulations.

Scope of the Pilot

The initiative allows foreign travellers to make digital payments at merchant outlets that accept UPI. This includes payments at retail stores, restaurants and other businesses where QR codes are displayed.

The pilot is limited to delegates attending the India AI Impact Summit. Some countries are excluded in line with regulatory guidance. NPCI has not announced whether the service will be expanded beyond the summit.

UPI Transaction Volumes Still Grow

The rollout comes as UPI volumes continue to increase. In January 2026, 21.70 billion transactions of Rs 28.33 lakh crore have been processed by UPI, as per the data released by NPCI. The system is being used for small and high-value payments all over the country.

The UPI One World wallet is a prepaid tool that is tied into the existing UPI network. It gives temporary access to the digital payments system of the visitors without letting them open bank accounts in local banks.

With the UPI One World pilot, foreign delegates to the AI summit can make their merchant payments digitally during their visit. Further decisions on the future of the service are expected to be taken after the pilot phase ends.