Post by : Mumtaaz
Qadiri
Indian travelers visiting Qatar can now use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps to make purchases. Qatar has become the eighth country to allow this popular Indian digital payments system. Qatar Duty Free was the first merchant to accept QR code-based UPI transactions, marking an important step in expanding UPI internationally.
Partnership Makes Payments Possible
A partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Japanese payment gateway NETSTARS enabled UPI acceptance at select point-of-sale (POS) terminals in Qatar. The collaboration ensures secure, real-time transactions for Indian tourists.
Benefits for Indian Travelers
Using UPI in Qatar allows Indian travelers to avoid carrying large amounts of cash. It also reduces the hassle of foreign exchange and provides a safe, real-time payment experience through familiar UPI apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay, or BHIM.
Supporting Global Interoperability
Ritesh Shukla, managing director and CEO of NIPL, highlighted that this partnership aims to build “a truly interoperable global payment network,” simplifying cross-border transactions and supporting seamless spending for Indian tourists.
Boost to Qatari Retail and Tourism
The acceptance of UPI is expected to increase transaction volumes at merchant outlets, especially in the retail and tourism sectors. By enabling digital payments, businesses can attract more customers, reduce dependence on cash, and improve operational efficiency.
Statements from Qatar National Bank
Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, group chief business officer of Qatar National Bank, said that UPI will “boost cashless transactions, strengthen interoperability in payments, and help local merchants thrive.” The move reflects Qatar’s commitment to enhancing visitor convenience and supporting the local economy.
UPI’s Global Expansion
Qatar is now the eighth country to allow UPI payments for Indians abroad. Other countries with selective UPI acceptance include Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. While usage is currently limited to tourism and retail hubs, it demonstrates UPI’s growing role in cross-border payments.
What Travelers Should Know
Indian travelers should ensure their UPI app supports international payments and enable the feature before traveling. Some apps or merchants may apply transaction limits. UPI acceptance is limited to select outlets, so carrying an international card or some local currency is recommended as a backup.
Future of Cross-Border Payments
The introduction of UPI in Qatar is part of a larger trend to make international travel more cashless and convenient for Indian citizens. By providing a secure and familiar payment option, UPI helps strengthen India’s digital payment footprint globally.
With Qatar joining the list of UPI-enabled countries, Indian travelers now have a safer, faster, and more convenient way to make payments abroad. The system benefits both visitors and local businesses, marking another milestone in UPI’s international expansion and the digitalization of global payments.
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