New Delhi: UPI payments are now available in the UAE through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd and Network International, a key player in digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa.

QR code-based UPI payments will be facilitated via Network’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the UAE.

The rollout will progressively expand for retail use, ensuring seamless and secure transactions for Indian tourists and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

“By growing UPI payment acceptance across merchants in the UAE, we are not only providing Indian travellers with a seamless and familiar payment experience, but also promoting the use of innovative digital payment solutions internationally,” said Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NPCI International.

According to a release from NPCI, the number of Indian tourists traveling to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is projected to reach 9.8 million in 2024, with the UAE expecting 5.29 million arrivals from India.

The government, the Reserve Bank of India, and NPCI International have been advocating for global acceptance of UPI, partnering with numerous countries to facilitate faster digital payments.

UPI is officially accepted in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, UAE, Singapore, France, and Bhutan.