UPI Goes Global: India’s Easy Payment System Spreads Around the World

UPI makes transactions seamless. Unified Payments Interface, in its simplest sense, is just a very easy way of sending money using a phone in India. It is like a magic wand for payments! And now other countries want to use it, too.

People in India use UPI to make payments for all kinds of things, send money to their friends, and pay their bills. To do all of this, you just need a smartphone and a bank account. No cash. No credit cards.

UPI is fast, safe, and very easy to use. India created it, but now other countries are saying, “That looks great! Can we try it?”

Now let’s have a glance at where UPI is either already in operation or might start its operation across regions in the world:

Countries Already Using UPI

• Bhutan: Small country next to India. First to use UPI outside India. People there use an app called BHIM to send money.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Hot country with lots of sand. Many Indian people work there. Now they can pay easily with UPI.
• Singapore: Small, rich country in Asia. Started using UPI in 2023. Money moves fast between India and Singapore now.
• Nepal: Mountain country next to India. Started using UPI in late 2023. Makes sending money to India easier.
• Oman: Country near the sea. Also started using UPI in late 2023. Good for Indians working there.
• France: Large country in Europe. First in Europe to have adopted UPI. Indian students there can now easily pay.
• Sri Lanka: An island country south of India. Started using UPI in 2024. Helps people send money between the two countries.
• Mauritius: A small island country in the ocean. It also took up UPI in the year 2024. Eases out the conception of sending money for Indians living over there.

Countries Thinking About Using UPI

Australia:

• Wants to make it easier for Indian students and tourists to pay
• Thinking about using UPI

Thailand and Saudi Arabia:

• Interested in UPI
• Talking with India about how to start using it

United States:

• Looking at ways to connect their payment systems with UPI
• Still figuring out how to do it
• Might happen in the future

Japan, Philippines, and New Zealand:

• Talking with India about using UPI
• Think it could help with:
  • Tourism
  • Business between their countries and India

Why is This Important?

UPI being available in so many nations across the world has been big. Here is why: first, it just goes to prove that when it comes to inventions or coming up with new technology, India is second to none. UPI represents an intelligent way of making a payment, and now other countries are trying to make use of it too. Second, this eases life for Indians who travel or otherwise reside in other countries. They can use a payment system they’re used to, even when they’re far from home. It could change the way people across the world send money to one another. If more countries start using UPI, it, therefore, might turn into a common way for paying whenever buying things abroad.

It helps companies also. When it is easier to move money between countries, then it becomes easier for companies to buy and sell things across borders.

The Future of UPI

UPI is a way to send money using phones. It started in India, but now other countries want to use it too. This could change how people pay for things all over the world.

There still remained some glitches to iron out. Places have different rules regarding money. Not everyone has a phone that can use UPI. Many people, however, like using UPI; hence, it is fast spreading.

UPI no longer remains just an ID for India alone; it has become a source through which individuals everywhere are able to pay each other.