UPI Payment for International Travellers- How Does it Work, Eligibility and Other Details

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now a popular payment method for retail electronic transactions in India. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently announced the expansion of UPI to allow visitors from G20 countries to use it to make merchant payments in India. The facility is available to G-20 travellers at select international airports in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, according to the statement.

According to the RBI website, eligible travellers will be issued prepaid payment instruments (PPI) wallets linked to UPI for use at merchant outlets at the three international airports. Visitors to India can now enjoy the convenience of UPI payments at over five crore merchant outlets across the country that accept QR code-based UPI payments.

How will it work?

Prepaid payment instrumentation (PPI) wallets linked to UPI will be distributed to eligible international travellers for use when making purchases at merchant establishments.

Who can avail?

The Group of Twenty (G-20) is made up of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Russia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the European Union.

 

Where can international travellers avail of this facility?

UPI for international travellers will initially be available at three international airports: Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi. This facility will eventually be available at other entry points throughout the country.

 

Which banks are supporting this facility?

Initially, UPI linked wallets will be issued by ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank, and two non-bank PPI issuers, Pine Labs Private Limited and Transcorp International Limited.

 

What are prepaid payment instruments (PPIs)?

Prepaid payment instruments allow the purchase of goods and services in exchange for the value stored on the instrument, which represents the value paid for by the holder in cash, debit or by credit card.