Expansion targets retail, hospitality, transport, entertainment sectors for seamless UPI transactions

India’s NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) is accelerating UPI integration in the UAE to enable secure, real-time digital payments. In collaboration with UAE regulators and acquirers, the expansion spans retail, hospitality, transport, entertainment, and essential services. This initiative empowers millions of travelers and expatriates, supporting the UAE’s cashless economy goals and deepening Indo-UAE financial and digital connectivity.

What’s Driving UPI Adoption in the UAE

The core objective is to offer Indian rupee–denominated, real-time mobile payments to Indian visitors and expatriates using familiar UPI apps. UPI, India’s interoperable instant payment platform, processes over 18 billion transactions monthly, making it one of the world’s largest digital payment systems. By enabling UPI in high-frequency sectors—like retail, hospitality, transportation, entertainment, and essential services—NIPL will significantly increase UPI-enabled merchant acceptance.

Collaborative Ecosystem with Regulators and Acquirers

NIPL is working closely with UAE regulators and local acquiring banks, such as NeoPay (Mashreq), Network International, and Magnati, to onboard merchants and embed UPI QR systems into payment infrastructure. The initiative includes compliance with Reserve Bank of India norms—like transaction limits, two-factor authentication, and usage controls—to maintain security and user trust.

Supporting the UAE’s Digital Vision

This drive aligns with Dubai’s target of achieving 90% digital transaction usage by 2026. UPI adoption supports the country’s wider digital economy and enhances convenience for cross-border shoppers and travelers.

Benefits for Indian Community and UAE Merchants

More than seven million Indians visit the UAE annually—the largest group of foreign travelers. UPI availability enables them to pay directly from their Indian bank accounts without currency exchange, simplifying transactions and improving merchant access to a digital-savvy customer base. QR-based UPI payments are now live at major locations, including Dubai Duty Free and Lulu Hypermarket..

Quotes from Indian Authorities

Satish Kumar Sivan, India’s Consul General in Dubai, stated that the integration will transform the experience for Indian travellers and the diaspora by making cross-border spending more seamless and user-friendly.Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, highlighted that seamless real-time payments empower both consumers and merchants—setting new standards for digital cross-border connectivity.

Challenges and Safeguards

UPI’s international rollout maintains robust controls: real-time exchange rates, transaction and usage limits, and two-factor authentication systems ensure compliance and security. The partnership ensures that Indian regulations continue to apply, even while facilitating cross-currency use.

Looking Ahead: Global UPI Expansion

The UAE integration follows several previous international forays: UPI deployments in Singapore, Mauritius, and now the UAE. With over 500 million Indian active users, the system’s global spread positions India as a digital payment powerhouse. The UAE initiative may inspire similar moves in other Gulf markets.


NPCI’s expanded UPI initiative in the UAE marks a major milestone in digital diplomacy—a seamless, secure, and cost-effective approach to cross-border payments. It supports the digital ambitions of both countries, benefits millions of Indian visitors, and strengthens the India-UAE partnership in economic modernization. As UPI becomes a global soft-power tool, this launch underscores its transformative potential in international financial integration.