Dubai — Indian expats living in the UAE are calling for an easier way to register for the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India’s popular digital payment platform.
While Indian tourists visiting the UAE can now make payments using their Indian bank accounts and mobile numbers, NRIs still face hurdles due to complex registration steps.
Experts say the current system favors users with Indian-registered mobile numbers. Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi of the Indian Business & Professional Council suggests allowing alternative KYC using Emirates ID and passport. He also recommends enabling the use of UAE-issued bank cards for UPI payments in India.
Local remittance services have begun notifying users about new UPI options using UAE mobile numbers, but full access remains limited.
“UPI transformed domestic payments in India,” said Dr. Chaturvedi. “But cross-border use is still underdeveloped.”
For many mid-income and blue-collar workers, simpler compliance and better clarity on tax policies could boost adoption under the CEPA agreement.
Despite the push, most Indian visitors still prefer credit cards, citing global acceptance, reward points, and deferred payments.
Industry experts believe that offering more incentives and wider acceptance will be key to making UPI a popular option for NRIs and tourists alike.
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