UPI Access for Foreign Nationals and NRIs Visiting India
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-23/176 · issued 10 Feb 2023 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI now allows foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India to use UPI for merchant payments, starting with G-20 travellers at select international airports. This expands PPI issuance to inbound visitors, with full rollout planned across all entry points.
The rule, in the simplest words
Foreign nationals and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) [people living outside India] visiting India can now use UPI [a way to pay digitally] for merchant payments [buying things from shops].
Banks and non-bank PPI [Prepaid Payment Instrument, a type of digital money] issuers can offer UPI-linked prepaid instruments [a way to store and use digital money] to these visitors.
This facility [service] is initially available to travellers from G-20 [a group of 20 big countries] countries at select international airports, and will later be available at all entry points [places where people enter India].
UPI access is only for merchant payments [buying things from shops], not for other types of transactions [money movements].
How it plays out — a real example
A UPI product manager in Mumbai can now help design and launch a new UPI-enabled prepaid instrument for foreign tourists, making it easy for them to pay digitally at shops and restaurants during their visit to India. This new service will simplify their travel experience and reduce their need to carry cash. As the product manager, they will work with their team to ensure the new instrument is configured correctly and compliant with the updated Master Directions on PPIs.
What changed
RBI has amended the Master Directions on PPIs to permit issuance of PPIs to foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India, enabling UPI access for merchant payments. Initially, this facility is available to travellers from G-20 countries at select international airports, with plans to extend to all entry points.
What it means for you
Banks and non-bank PPI issuers can now offer UPI-linked prepaid instruments to inbound foreign visitors, opening a new customer segment. This move simplifies digital payments for tourists, reducing reliance on cash and enhancing India's payment infrastructure. Lenders must update their PPI issuance processes to comply with the amended Master Directions.
What you must do
Update PPI issuance policies to include foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India as eligible users.
Ensure UPI-enabled PPIs are configured for merchant payments (P2M) only, as per the initial scope.
Coordinate with NPCI for technical integration and compliance with the amended Master Directions.
Prepare for phased rollout: start with G-20 travellers at select airports, then expand to all entry points.
Who it affects
All PPI issuers (banks and non-banks), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India, Merchants accepting UPI payments
❓ Common questions
Which travellers are eligible for this UPI facility initially?
The facility is initially extended to travellers from G-20 countries at select international airports for merchant payments while in India.
When did this circular take effect?
The instructions came into effect immediately from the date of the circular, February 10, 2023.
Will this facility be available at all entry points in the future?
Yes, RBI plans to enable this facility across all entry points in the country going forward.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2022-23/176
CO.DPSS.POLC.No.S–1907/02.14.006/2022-23
February 10, 2023
All Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) Issuers (Banks and Non-banks)
and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
Madam / Dear Sir,
Issuance of PPIs to Foreign Nationals / Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) visiting India
As announced in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated February 08, 2023 , it has been decided to allow access to Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India. To start with, this facility will be extended to travellers from the G-20 countries at select international airports for their merchant payments (P2M) while they are in the country. Going forward, this will be enabled across all entry points in the country. The Master Directions on Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) dated August 27, 2021 (updated as on November 12, 2021) has been updated by inserting paragraph 10.3 therein.
2. These instructions shall come into effect immediately.
3. This circular is issued under Section 10 (2) read with Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (Act 51 of 2007).
Yours faithfully,
(P Vasudevan)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-23/176 · issued 10 Feb 2023. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All PPI issuers (banks and non-banks), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India, Merchants accepting UPI payments), your first concrete step on “UPI Access for Foreign Nationals and NRIs Visiting India” is: “Update PPI issuance policies to include foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India as eligible users.” (RBI issued this 10 Feb 2023).
Circular: RBI/2022-23/176 -- UPI Access for Foreign Nationals and NRIs Visiting India
Issued: 10 Feb 2023
Action required: Update PPI issuance policies to include foreign nationals and NRIs visiting India as eligible users.
Action required: Ensure UPI-enabled PPIs are configured for merchant payments (P2M) only, as per the initial scope.
Action required: Coordinate with NPCI for technical integration and compliance with the amended Master Directions.
Action required: Prepare for phased rollout: start with G-20 travellers at select airports, then expand to all entry points.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12452&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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