In a significant move, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can now use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for payments via their international mobile numbers. This change eliminates the previous need for an Indian mobile number to access UPI services. The new rule will be a game-changer for NRIs living abroad, making payments simpler and more accessible.
No More Indian Mobile Numbers Required for UPI Payments Abroad
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recently announced this update, which applies to NRIs in ten specific countries. NRIs will now be able to link their Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) bank accounts with their international mobile numbers. Earlier, NRIs were required to keep their Indian mobile numbers active while living abroad to use UPI, leading to inconvenience and extra costs.
With this update, NRIs in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, the UAE, and several others, can seamlessly use UPI for various payments without the hassle of maintaining an Indian number. This change brings immense convenience, particularly for those who frequently face issues with maintaining different mobile numbers for different services.
ICICI Bank’s UPI Service for NRIs Leads the Way
Leading the pack in providing this service is ICICI Bank. The bank allows its NRI customers to make payments through the iMobile Pay app, where they can use their international mobile numbers linked to their NRE or NRO accounts. This means they can now easily handle tasks like paying utility bills, shopping online, and even transferring money by scanning Indian QR codes. The flexibility to send money to any UPI ID, Indian mobile number, or Indian bank account adds further convenience for NRIs.
Service Currently Available in 10 Countries
While this is a significant improvement, it’s important to note that this service is currently available to NRIs residing in only ten countries. These countries include:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Canada
- Singapore
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
NRIs in these countries must link their international mobile numbers to their NRE or NRO accounts to access the UPI services. Banks are required to ensure that these accounts comply with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations.
How NRIs Can Set Up UPI with Their International Mobile Numbers
To use UPI with an international mobile number, NRIs can follow these simple steps:
- Download the iMobile Pay app from ICICI Bank (or check if your bank offers a similar service).
- Log in to the app and navigate to the UPI payment section.
- Verify your international mobile number via SMS.
- Go to Manage Profile, select your NRE or NRO account, and then create your UPI ID.
Once set up, NRIs can start making payments just as easily as they would in India. This new feature will save them time and effort, providing a smoother payment experience across borders.
This UPI expansion to international numbers is a major boost for NRIs, making digital payments easier and hassle-free while abroad.
