Indian tourists visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon have the ability to make cashless payments at a wider range of merchant locations using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), thanks to a strategic partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Magnati, a prominent payment solutions provider in the region. The first phase of this initiative will allow Indian travellers to use UPI at Dubai Duty-Free shops, with plans to expand the service across various sectors such as retail, hospitality, transport, and supermarkets.

Bridging Digital Payments Across Borders

This move aligns with NIPL’s vision to provide a global digital payments network for Indians traveling abroad, making cross-border transactions simpler and more accessible. According to Mr. Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, this collaboration will not only enhance the ease of payment but also support Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in making smooth digital transactions globally. Mr. Salim Awan, Managing Director of Magnati, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the potential of this partnership to transform the cross-border payments landscape and provide a seamless experience for Indian tourists.

UPI’s Global Reach

The introduction of UPI payments in Dubai comes at a time when over 12 million Indian tourists visit the UAE annually, with India topping the list of visitors to Dubai in 2023. The UPI payment system is already accepted in several countries, including Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and France. Popular apps like BHIM, PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay facilitate international transactions, making UPI payments easy to use for Indian tourists. Payments will be processed in Indian Rupees (INR), with foreign exchange conversion rates and applicable fees applied at the time of the transaction.

How UPI Transactions Work Abroad

For making a UPI payment abroad, users need to scan the merchant's QR code, input the payment amount, select their bank account, and confirm the transaction using their UPI PIN through the BHIM app or other UPI-enabled platforms. This system offers Indian tourists the convenience of paying directly in their local currency while traveling, reducing the need for currency exchange and enhancing the tourist shopping experience in foreign destinations.

As the partnership between NPCI and Magnati expands, it is expected that more Indian tourists will benefit from the integration of UPI payments in everyday transactions abroad. This initiative marks a step towards India’s goal of providing seamless, cashless payment experiences to its citizens, regardless of their location.

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