UPI Expands Global Reach with UAE Rollout
India’s UPI in UAE is officially launching, starting July 1, 2025, marking a major milestone.
This strategic rollout will allow Indian tourists, NRIs, and residents to use their UPI-enabled apps at thousands of UAE locations.
The collaboration between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Mashreq Bank’s NeoPay has made this new access possible.
How UPI in UAE Will Work
Once live, apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm will support UPI payments across retail stores, restaurants, and service providers.
Users will scan QR codes at over 100,000 merchant locations in cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah to complete transactions.
Because UPI is linked to Indian bank accounts, payments will debit in INR, offering familiar workflows with better FX conversion rates.
Since UPI transactions also confirm instantly, users will experience the same speed and reliability they expect in India.
A Step Forward for Indian Expats and Tourists
With over 3.5 million Indian expats living in the UAE, the UPI in UAE integration addresses a clear demand for familiar tools.
Additionally, Indian tourists represent a key spending group across Dubai’s malls, hotels, and restaurants — all ready for UPI acceptance.
Therefore, this move is more than just about convenience—it’s a step toward financial empowerment and cross-border interoperability.
“This is not just about payments,” said Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL. “It’s about seamless experiences and smarter cross-border finance.”
Built Through Strategic Partnerships
The deployment is powered by a tight integration between NPCI International and NeoPay, the digital arm of Mashreq Bank.
Following months of successful pilot testing, the teams have ensured UPI infrastructure matches the security and speed standards expected abroad.
As a result, merchants are already trained and systems are fully equipped to accept Indian UPI QR payments from July onward.
This integration further strengthens India-UAE economic ties, which have grown significantly through trade, tourism, and fintech collaboration.
UPI’s Global Journey Continues
The UPI in UAE launch marks India’s third major international expansion, following successful deployments in Singapore and Mauritius earlier.
As NIPL continues to partner globally, further launches are being planned across Southeast Asia and select European markets.
Because UPI has reshaped digital payments in India, other countries are eager to adapt the model for their own ecosystems.
Analysts believe this launch sets the stage for more cross-border innovations and deeper fintech ties between India and global markets.
What It Means for Fintech and Beyond
With this move, India’s UPI goes beyond domestic use, offering global accessibility for its massive user base abroad.
For the Indian diaspora and travelers, UPI in UAE means simpler, cheaper, and faster payments that eliminate old barriers.
Ultimately, this rollout reinforces UPI’s position as one of the world’s most powerful and scalable digital payment infrastructures.
Whether you’re shopping in a Dubai mall or dining in Abu Dhabi, you’ll now be able to pay — the Indian way.