The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) now offers UAE-based NRIs a faster way to transfer money to India through UPI (Unified Payments Interface). Here’s your comprehensive guide to using this service.
Understanding UPI
UPI is India’s real-time payment system that enables:
- Instant bank-to-bank transfers
- Multiple account management through one app
- Secure transactions without sharing bank details
- Person-to-person and merchant payments
Getting Started
Step 1: Mobile Number Registration
- Link your UAE mobile number to your Indian bank account
- Download a UPI-supported application
- Complete mobile verification via OTP
- Create your UPI ID
- Link your NRE/NRO account
Step 2: Compatible Apps
Approved applications for international numbers:
- Federal Bank (FedMobile)
- ICICI Bank (iMobile)
- IndusInd Bank (BHIM Indus Pay)
- South Indian Bank (SIB Mirror+)
- AU Small Finance Bank (BHIM AU)
- BHIM
- PhonePe
Step 3: Supported Banks
Participating banks for NRE/NRO accounts:
- AU Small Finance Bank
- Axis Bank
- Canara Bank
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Bank
- IndusInd Bank
- Federal Bank
- DBS Bank Ltd
- Punjab National Bank
- South Indian Bank
- IDFC First Bank
- City Union Bank
- Equitas Small Finance Bank
Features Available
UPI enables:
- QR code payments
- Direct bank transfers
- Peer-to-peer transactions
- Merchant payments
Important Restrictions
Remember:
- Transfers only to regular Indian accounts
- No UPI transfers between NRO/NRE accounts
- Service limited to specific countries
International Availability
Apart from the UAE, the service is available in:
- Australia
- Canada
- France
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- United Kingdom
- United States





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