UPI Goes Global: From Chai Stalls in Delhi to the Eiffel Tower
It started with a simple idea: what if sending money was as easy as sending a text message? Fast forward to today, and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) isn't just an Indian success story; it is a global phenomenon. We aren't just buying chai and samosas with it anymore. We are buying tickets to the Eiffel Tower, shopping in Dubai malls, and paying for hotels in Nepal.
The world is waking up to the power of the "scan and pay" revolution. But if you've tried using it abroad, you know it’s not always as smooth as it is back home. Let's dive into the current state of Global UPI, the hiccups, and the future we are building.
The Map: Where is UPI Working Right Now?
Thanks to NIPL (NPCI International Payments Ltd), the list of countries accepting UPI is growing faster than a startup's valuation. Here is the current snapshot for the modern Indian traveler:
1. Singapore 🇸🇬
This was a historic handshake. India’s UPI and Singapore’s PayNow linked up, allowing instant cross-border transfers.
- The Reality: While amazing for sending money to relatives (P2P), scanning a random merchant's QR code at a hawker center still often requires specific apps or bank setups.
2. United Arab Emirates (UAE) 🇦🇪
Home to a massive Indian diaspora, the UAE was a no-brainer.
- The Reality: You can use UPI at payment terminals powered by Mashreq (NEOPAY). It works in major spots like Dubai Mall, but you might still struggle at smaller, independent shops that use different banking providers.
3. France 🇫🇷
The "Eiffel Tower Moment." France became the first European country to embrace UPI.
- The Reality: It started with the Eiffel Tower and is expanding to select tourist spots through a partnership with Lyra. It’s symbolic and growing, but don’t expect to pay for your croissant in a tiny village just yet.
4. The Neighbors (Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka) 🇳🇵🇧🇹🇱🇰
- Nepal: You can scan Fonepay QR codes almost everywhere. It’s arguably the most seamless integration so far.
- Bhutan: The first country to adopt UPI standards. The BHIM app works like a charm here.
- Sri Lanka & Mauritius: Recently joined the club, allowing Indian tourists to pay at varied merchant locations using the LankaPay network.
The "But..." (Why It’s Not Perfect Yet)
So, if UPI is everywhere, why do travelers still carry forex cards and cash? Because the "seamless" experience often hits a few speed bumps.
1. The "Activation" Headache
You land in Bangkok or Dubai, excited to use UPI. You scan a code. Error. Why? Because many banks require you to manually activate International UPI in their settings. If you forgot to do this before leaving India (and your OTPs aren't coming through on your international SIM), you are stuck.
2. The Hidden "Markup"
Free payments? Not exactly. While UPI itself is low-cost, your bank often adds a Forex Markup Fee (usually 3% to 4% + GST) on international transactions. That "cheap" souvenir suddenly costs a lot more, and you won't realize it until you check your statement later.
3. The "Which QR?" Confusion
In countries like Thailand or Singapore, there are dozen different QR standards. Is it PromptPay? Is it GrabPay? Is it WeChat? Scanning a generic local QR code with your standard Indian banking app often results in an "Invalid QR" message because the specific backend partnership isn't there yet.
Remitran: The Missing Link
We looked at this global expansion and saw a massive opportunity to make it actually user-friendly. We didn't want you to worry about bank settings, hidden fees, or incompatible QR codes.
Remitran is building the bridge that connects your Domestic Indian UPI directly to the Local Payment Rails of the country you are visiting.
How We Fix It:
- No "International Activation" Needed: Since you are technically paying Remitran (a domestic transaction) and we are settling the merchant (a local transaction), you don't need to fiddle with complex bank settings. If your UPI works in Mumbai, it works with us in Bangkok.
- Universal Local Scan: We integrate directly with local national standards (like PromptPay in Thailand). You don't need to hunt for a specific "UPI Accepted" logo. If it's a local national QR, we scan it.
- Zero Hidden Fees: Banks hide their fees in the exchange rate or add them as "markups" later. We show you the Live Exchange Rate right on the screen before you pay. You enter 100 THB, you see exactly how many Rupees will be deducted. No surprises.
The Future is Borderless
The vision of UPI is incredible: a world where money moves as freely as information. At Remitran, we are accelerating that vision for travelers.
We are launching our first corridor in Thailand in Q1 2026, with more countries following fast. The days of calculating forex in your head and fighting with ATMs are over.
Join the waitlist and follow our journey at https://remitranglobal.com/
