Living abroad comes with its own list of small challenges. You may have family back in India, bills to manage, or the occasional impulse to buy something online from an Indian store. But when it comes to payments, things can get messy. Indian payment apps often ask for an Indian SIM card or a local bank account.
Now, that’s changing.
Thanks to Paytm and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can now make UPI payments using their international mobile numbers. This move is part of India’s growing digital payment network that’s quietly connecting the world, one transaction at a time.
Let’s dive into what this really means for NRIs, how it works, and how you can use Paytm to make payments smoothly while sitting anywhere in the world.
What Is UPI and Why It Matters for NRIs
If you’ve been away from India for a while, you might remember how messy payments used to be remember typing out bank details, IFSC codes, or waiting for OTPs?
UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, made all of that nearly disappear. It’s a real-time payment system that lets you send or receive money instantly using just a UPI ID or QR code. No account numbers. No long waiting.
Now imagine bringing that simplicity abroad.
That’s exactly what NPCI’s UPI International and Paytm’s new update make possible. You can now pay or send money from your NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) bank account, using your international mobile number.
In short, it’s like carrying your Indian wallet in your pocket even when you’re thousands of miles away.
What Makes UPI International Different
Let’s break this down simply.
UPI International allows NRIs and even foreign visitors to make payments to Indian merchants or other users using UPI. Think of it as an upgraded version of UPI designed for people outside India.
Here’s what makes it special:
- Cross-border convenience: You can use your Indian bank account to pay or send money abroad without needing an Indian SIM.
- Transparent currency display: Every transaction clearly shows the amount in Indian Rupees (INR), so you know what’s leaving your account.
- Security you can trust: Transactions are processed through NPCI’s secure network.
- Flexible activation: You can activate the feature only for the duration you’re abroad: 1 week, 2 weeks, a month, or even custom dates.
It’s like having your digital wallet that knows when you’re traveling and adjusts itself automatically.
A Quick Recap: NRE vs NRO Accounts
Before you get started with Paytm, you’ll need one of these two accounts.
1. NRE Account (Non-Resident External)
This account is for money you earn abroad. You can keep your foreign income here in Indian Rupees. The best part? The funds are fully repatriable, which means you can move them back to your foreign bank anytime. Plus, the interest you earn here is tax-free in India.
Example: Let’s say you’re working in the UAE and want to send part of your salary to India for your parents. You’d use your NRE account.
2. NRO Account (Non-Resident Ordinary)
This one is meant for money you earn within India. Think rent, dividends, or pension. You can transfer money abroad too, but with some restrictions and after paying applicable taxes.
Example: You have a property in Pune that generates rent. That rent goes into your NRO account.
Both account types can be linked to UPI, but here’s a key rule:
- You can send money using either NRE or NRO accounts.
- You can receive money only in your NRO account.
Why Paytm Matters for NRIs
You probably know Paytm as one of India’s biggest digital wallets. From paying for chai to movie tickets, it’s part of daily life for millions.
Now, with the new UPI update, Paytm lets NRIs use the same convenience from overseas, without needing an Indian phone number.
This update, rolled out in partnership with NPCI, supports international mobile numbers from 12 countries:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
- Canada
- Australia
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- France
- Malaysia
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
If you live in any of these places, you can now use your local number to log into Paytm, link your Indian bank account, and start making payments instantly.
Think of it as Paytm saying, “You don’t need an Indian SIM to stay connected with India anymore.”
How to Link Your International Mobile Number to UPI
You’ll need your international number to be officially linked to your NRE or NRO bank account. Here’s how:
- Contact your bank: Ask them to link your international mobile number to your NRE/NRO account. Most major Indian banks support this now.
- Verify the linkage: Your number should appear in your bank’s profile details.
- Install Paytm: Download the app on your phone (it works for both Android and iOS).
- Sign in using your international number. You’ll receive an OTP for verification.
- Link your bank account: Follow the on-screen steps to connect your NRE/NRO account to Paytm.
Once done, your Paytm app is ready to use UPI with your foreign number.
It’s like telling your bank, “This is still me, just on another SIM.”
How to Activate UPI International on Paytm
Let’s walk through the steps clearly.
Step 1: Open Paytm and go to your profile (top-left corner).
Step 2: Tap on UPI & Payment Settings.
Step 3: Select UPI International.
Step 4: Choose your activation period: 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, or custom.
Step 5: Enter your UPI PIN to verify and confirm activation.
That’s it.
Paytm will now allow you to make payments outside India at any merchant that supports UPI QR codes. You can deactivate this feature anytime, which is great if you’re concerned about security.
Making International Payments Using Paytm
Once you’ve activated UPI International, making payments is as simple as it gets.
1. Open Paytm and go to Scan & Pay: If you’re at a supported international merchant (for example, in Singapore or UAE), you can scan their UPI QR code directly.
2. Select your linked bank account: You can choose between your NRE or NRO account.
3. Paytm will show the amount in INR: This keeps your spending transparent. You’ll see exactly how much Indian currency you’re paying.
4. Confirm with your UPI PIN: Once you tap “Pay,” the money is debited in real-time.
5. Review your transaction: You can always check the full details in the Passbook section for records.
Think of it like paying for a coffee in Dubai using your Indian bank: only faster, safer, and without international card fees.
Sending and Receiving Money from India
Paytm’s UPI feature also works for personal transfers.
Sending Money
If your NRE/NRO account is linked, you can send money to anyone in India instantly using their UPI ID or QR code. It’s just like how you’d pay from an Indian UPI account.
Example:
Let’s say you’re in Canada and your parents in India need ₹5,000 urgently for a medical bill. Instead of using a remittance service, you can simply open Paytm, enter their UPI ID, and send it directly from your NRE account.
Receiving Money
Here’s one key detail: You can only receive funds into your NRO account.
This is because NRO accounts handle money earned in India, and Indian law allows local credits into it.
You can share your Paytm UPI ID or QR code with anyone in India. They can pay you instantly, and it will reflect in your NRO account balance.
Example: Everyday Use for an NRI
Let’s make it real.
Say Ananya lives in Dubai. She has an NRE account in India and an international UAE mobile number.
- She links her number to her NRE account through her bank.
- Logs into Paytm using that same UAE number.
- Activates UPI International for one month.
- While visiting a café in Dubai that supports UPI QR codes, she scans the code, confirms her PIN, and pays in INR instantly.
Later, she sends money to her parents in Pune through Paytm using the same account.
No remittance wait. No international SIM needed.
It’s that seamless.
Countries Where NRIs Can Use Paytm for UPI
As of now, Paytm and NPCI have enabled this feature for 12 countries. Here’s a quick look:
| Region | Countries Supported |
|---|---|
| North America | United States, Canada |
| Europe | United Kingdom, France |
| Middle East | UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia |
| Asia-Pacific | Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia |
NPCI plans to expand this list soon. So, if your country isn’t supported yet, it’s worth keeping an eye on updates from your bank or Paytm’s blog.
Understanding UPI One World and Global Acceptance
To make things even simpler for NRIs and foreign visitors, NPCI has introduced two additional services under the UPI ecosystem.
1. UPI One World
Think of this as a travel wallet for India.
If you’re an NRI visiting India or even a foreign tourist you can create a UPI wallet without having a local bank account. Just load the wallet, scan a UPI QR at any store, and pay instantly.
Example: You’re in Mumbai for a short trip. Instead of using cash or card, you use UPI One World on Paytm to pay for your cab or coffee. Simple and secure.
2. UPI Global Acceptance
This feature works in the opposite direction. It lets Indian users, including NRIs, make payments abroad at select international merchants.
You can scan a UPI-enabled QR code in places like Singapore, UAE, or France and pay directly from your Indian bank.
It’s India’s answer to global payment systems, bridging the gap between local wallets and international commerce.
Is It Safe to Use UPI International?
Yes. UPI payments are secured by multiple authentication layers, including:
- Device verification: Only your registered mobile can authorize transactions.
- PIN protection: Every payment requires your unique UPI PIN.
- Bank-level encryption: Data is encrypted end-to-end.
- Instant notifications: You receive alerts for every transaction.
In many ways, it’s safer than carrying physical cards abroad. If you ever lose your phone, you can deactivate your UPI instantly from another device or your bank’s helpline.
Benefits of Using Paytm UPI as an NRI
Let’s highlight why this matters:
- No need for Indian SIM cards anymore.
- Instant transfers between your account and family in India.
- Lower costs compared to traditional money transfer routes.
- Unified experience for Bills, mobile recharges, travel, shopping, or investments.
If you think about it, Paytm is becoming like a “digital bridge” between NRIs and their Indian financial life.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Before you start, here are a few quick checks:
- Bank support: Make sure your Indian bank supports UPI with international numbers.
- Mobile verification: Your foreign number must be officially linked to your NRE/NRO account.
- Currency conversion: All payments happen in INR, so check your bank’s conversion rate if you’re paying from abroad.
- Receiving limits: Funds can only be credited to NRO accounts, not NRE.
- Country eligibility: Currently limited to 12 countries, but expanding.
The Bigger Picture
The world is moving toward frictionless finance. UPI started as an Indian innovation, but it’s quietly becoming global.
Think of it like how email changed communication. You didn’t need to care where someone was located, you just sent a message. UPI is doing the same for money.
And Paytm’s latest move is a big step in that direction. For millions of NRIs who’ve had to juggle between Indian and foreign financial systems, this is a much-needed bridge.
It’s fast, secure, and feels familiar, like carrying a piece of India in your phone.
Final Thoughts
UPI isn’t just about convenience anymore. It’s about connection.
Connection between where you live and where you come from. Between your foreign number and your Indian bank. Between you and the people who still rely on your support back home.
With Paytm now allowing NRIs to use international numbers for UPI, managing your finances across borders has become simpler than ever.
Whether you’re paying your parents’ bills in India, transferring rent from your NRO account, or buying coffee in Dubai using your Indian bank, Paytm makes it all possible in seconds.
No complicated setup. No switching SIM cards. No middlemen.
Just one app, one number, and a world of seamless payments.
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