NRIs Can Now Use UPI with Foreign Mobile Numbers – No Indian SIM Needed
India’s digital payments ecosystem has taken a monumental step forward with a groundbreaking update that empowers Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with their foreign mobile numbers, eliminating the need for an Indian SIM card. This move, facilitated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and leading private banks like IDFC First, allows NRIs to seamlessly make payments in India just like resident citizens.
Key Benefits for NRIs
With this update, NRIs can now:
✔ Pay rent, utility bills, and merchant payments
✔ Send money to family and friends instantly
✔ Use popular UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM, and Paytm
✔ Scan QR codes for transactions without an Indian number
What Changed?
In January 2023, the RBI permitted NRIs with NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) accounts to access UPI using their international mobile numbers. Following this, banks and payment apps gradually rolled out the feature.
IDFC First Bank became one of the first private banks to fully implement this service. As per their June 25, 2025 press release, NRIs from 12 countries, including the USA, UK, UAE, Australia, and Singapore, can now link their accounts to UPI apps using foreign numbers.
Eligibility Criteria
To activate UPI as an NRI, you must:
✅ Hold an NRE or NRO account with an Indian bank
✅ Use a foreign mobile number from an approved country (e.g., +1 for USA, +971 for UAE)
✅ Ensure your bank and UPI app support international number registration
List of Supported Countries (As of June 2025)
🌍 USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, France, Oman, UAE
(More countries expected to be added soon.)
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
1️⃣ Open an NRE/NRO account with a UPI-enabled Indian bank (e.g., IDFC First).
2️⃣ Register your foreign mobile number with the bank.
3️⃣ Download a UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM, Paytm).
4️⃣ Complete UPI registration using your international number (via OTP/biometric verification).
5️⃣ Start transacting—scan QR codes, pay bills, or send money in India.
Which UPI Apps Support NRIs?
According to NPCI and Mint, the following apps currently support international numbers:
📱 PhonePe
📱 Google Pay (India version)
📱 BHIM
📱 Paytm (select banks)
📱 Amazon Pay (limited rollout)
Tax & Compliance Considerations
💡 NRE accounts are tax-free, but NRO accounts are taxable in India.
💡 TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) applies to NRO earnings.
💡 PAN linking is mandatory to avoid higher TDS under Section 206AA.
💡 All UPI transactions are traceable by Indian authorities.
Why This Matters
For NRIs, this is more than just convenience—it’s a financial revolution. No longer do they need to rely on Indian SIM cards or traditional bank transfers. With UPI, transactions are instant, secure, and cost-effective.
Future Expansion
As adoption grows, more banks and countries are expected to join the list, further simplifying cross-border digital payments for the Indian diaspora.
