In a transformative leap for cross-border digital payments, Paytm has unveiled a revolutionary feature that allows Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to make Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions in India using their international mobile numbers. Announced in October 2025, this pioneering service empowers NRIs residing in 12 countries to link their Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) bank accounts to the Paytm app, facilitating smooth UPI payments without the need for an Indian SIM card. This advancement brings NRIs closer to India’s rapidly growing digital payments ecosystem, offering unmatched convenience and financial inclusion.
Broadening Access to Digital Payments for NRIs
Traditionally, NRIs had limited options for making instant payments in India due to the necessity of having an Indian mobile number registered with UPI apps. Paytm’s new feature shatters this barrier by enabling international mobile number logins. NRIs from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, and others can now seamlessly enjoy the benefits of Paytm UPI for NRIs wherever they reside. This rollout is especially significant for the Indian diaspora that frequently sends money to relatives, pays bills, or shops online in India.
Streamlined Registration and Payment Process
Getting started is simple. NRIs can download or update the Paytm app, register using their international mobile number, and verify it via SMS. After linking their NRE or NRO bank accounts, they can immediately start using all UPI features. Payments can be made to merchants by scanning UPI QR codes at shops, paying bills and restaurants, or shopping on Indian e-commerce platforms. Transfers to friends and family across India happen instantly without forex conversions or remittance delays, providing a frictionless experience for users.
Comprehensive UPI Services for NRIs
This innovative Paytm UPI feature enables a wide variety of transactions:
- Instant money transfers to any UPI ID or UPI-linked mobile number in India
- Payments at countless local shops, restaurants, and businesses by scanning QR codes
- Online shopping on Indian apps and websites
- Transferring funds between linked NRE and NRO accounts
- Receiving payments via Paytm UPI ID or QR codes (credits go to the NRO account)
Because all transactions are processed in Indian Rupees (INR), NRIs save on currency conversion fees and gateway charges, streamlining their financial interactions back home.
Supported Countries and Strategic Significance
The initial rollout covers 12 countries with significant Indian communities: the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia. Paytm plans to expand this list after collecting feedback from beta users. This inclusion ensures that a vast number of NRIs globally can benefit from India’s trusted digital payments infrastructure, reconnecting them financially with India in a secure, fast, and convenient manner.
Powered by NPCI and Enhanced with Valuable Features
This initiative is powered by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which governs India’s UPI network. It reflects a broader vision of making digital payments inclusive and accessible to all Indians, irrespective of their location. Besides transactional ease, NRIs gain access to Paytm’s advanced tools such as automated spend classification, downloadable UPI statements (PDF/Excel), multi-account balance visibility, and unique offerings like AI-generated summaries of recent expenditures through Paytm Playback.
The Future of Cross-Border UPI Payments for NRIs
Paytm’s breakthrough enables NRIs to bypass the need for an Indian SIM card and enjoy the full suite of UPI features internationally—a first in the fintech space. This development not only enhances convenience but also promotes greater financial inclusion for the Indian diaspora, facilitating closer economic ties with India. By integrating global Indian users into the domestic UPI framework, Paytm is laying the foundation for more advanced cross-border digital payment solutions in the future.
Conclusion
Paytm’s enabling of UPI payments for NRIs with international mobile numbers is a game changer for millions of Indians abroad. It simplifies payments, reduces costs, and boosts financial connectivity with India, regardless of where NRIs live. As this feature expands and matures, it promises to redefine how the global Indian community interacts with India’s financial ecosystem—fast, secure, and effortlessly smart.
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