International travellers visiting India can now use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at terminals in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This facility has been made available from Tuesday (February 21, 2023), as announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated February 08, 2023.
The UPI payment facility for international travellers is a significant development that will simplify payment processes for those visiting India. This service will allow travellers to use UPI-enabled payment methods, such as mobile wallets and banking apps, to make local payments while they are in India.
According to the RBI, this move is part of its ongoing efforts to promote digital payments in the country and improve the ease of doing business for international visitors. The RBI statement read, “This facility will enable international travellers to make hassle-free payments in India without having to carry cash or exchange foreign currency.”
“Travelers visiting India can now experience the convenience of UPI payments at over five crore merchant outlets across India, that accept QR Code-based UPI payments,” the RBI said in a statement.
The UPI payment system has already gained tremendous popularity in India and has made transactions easier and more secure. The system enables instant transfer of funds between two bank accounts using a mobile device. It has been a game-changer for the Indian payment ecosystem and has transformed the way people make payments in the country.
The new UPI payment facility for international travellers will be available at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and will be accessible to all foreign nationals who have a UPI-enabled payment app on their mobile phones.
This move by the RBI is expected to be a significant boost to the tourism industry in India. With the ease of making digital payments, international travellers will find it more convenient to visit and explore different parts of the country. It will also help in promoting a cashless economy, which has been one of the key goals of the Indian government in recent years.
The launch of the UPI payment facility for international travellers in India is a significant development that will make payments more accessible and convenient for those visiting the country. The move is a testament to India’s growing digital infrastructure and will help in promoting digital payments and a cashless economy in the country. It is a positive step towards making India a more attractive destination for tourists and will undoubtedly help in boosting the country’s tourism industry.
