UPI Expands to Qatar: Indian Travelers Can Now Pay Directly via Mobile Without Currency Exchange Hassles

New Delhi, September 24, 2025: In a major boost to India’s digital payments ecosystem, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has now been launched in Qatar. Indian tourists and workers visiting the Gulf nation can make real-time payments through their mobile phones, eliminating the need for cash or currency exchange.

This development comes after NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) partnered with Qatar National Bank (QNB) to roll out QR code-based UPI transactions in the country. The service has already gone live at Qatar Duty Free outlets and will soon expand to retail stores and tourist hotspots.

A Big Relief for Indian Travelers

India is the second-largest source of international visitors to Qatar, many of whom travel for work or leisure. Until now, these travelers often relied on cash or costly currency exchange services. With UPI, they can simply scan a QR code at participating merchants and pay directly in real-time.

This partnership is expected to make travel far more convenient for Indians while also supporting Qatar’s retail and tourism sectors. By enabling seamless digital transactions, QNB merchants will likely see higher transaction volumes and improved customer experience.

Statements from NIPL and QNB

Speaking about the development, Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NIPL, said:
“Our goal is to make UPI a globally accepted payment system and build an interoperable network. The collaboration with QNB marks an important milestone, allowing millions of Indian travelers to make safe, secure, and instant digital payments without depending on cash.”

Yousuf Mahmoud Al-Neama, Group Chief Business Officer of QNB, added:
“We are delighted to introduce UPI in Qatar. This not only benefits Indian tourists and workers but also strengthens our local economy by encouraging cashless transactions. Retail and tourism businesses will benefit from greater customer engagement and higher sales.”

UPI’s Growing Global Footprint

The expansion into Qatar is part of a broader push to make UPI an international payment standard. The system is already operational in countries like Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE at select merchant outlets.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is also in talks with various central banks and payment providers to extend UPI’s reach further. Plans are underway to link UPI with major global currencies like the US Dollar and Euro, enabling smoother cross-border payments for Indian travelers and businesses.

What is UPI and How Does It Work?

UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile app and transfer money instantly.

Every UPI user gets a Virtual Payment Address (VPA), such as username@upi, which eliminates the need to enter account numbers or IFSC codes. Payments are secured using a UPI PIN, and since transactions are processed via the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), funds are transferred in seconds.

With its ease of use and reliability, UPI has become the backbone of India’s digital payment revolution and is now rapidly gaining global acceptance.

Key Takeaways

• UPI launched in Qatar via NIPL-QNB partnership.

• Indian travelers can now make cashless, real-time payments using mobile apps.

• Service already active at Qatar Duty Free, soon expanding to retail and tourist spots.

• Move will boost Qatar’s retail and tourism sectors while reducing dependency on cash.

• UPI is already available in seven other countries and expanding globally.

The rollout of UPI in Qatar is more than just a convenience for Indian travelers—it marks another step toward establishing India’s payment system as a global standard. By reducing dependency on cash and enabling secure, instant payments, UPI is set to transform international travel and commerce for millions of Indians.