Dubai :In a major leap toward seamless international travel and digital integration, Indian travelers to the UAE will soon be able to make payments using only their mobile phones — without the need for physical cash or bank cards. This transformative development was announced by India’s Consul General in Dubai, Satish Kumar Sivan, during a press conference held at the Consulate.The upcoming facility is enabled by the full integration of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UAE’s digital payment architecture. Once launched, Indian tourists and residents will be able to carry out transactions across the Emirates using UPI-powered apps — completely eliminating the need for credit/debit cards or carrying currencies like dirhams, dollars, or rupees.
“This revolutionary step will redefine the travel and spending experience for Indians in the UAE,” said Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan. “With just a passport and mobile phone in hand, Indian visitors will be able to shop, pay for services, and live in Dubai without any financial friction.”
The event also saw the participation of Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), the international arm of NPCI. Shukla emphasized that the core goal of the event was to raise awareness about the expanding global acceptance of UPI and its benefits for Indian users abroad.
“I am pleased that NIPL is working closely with UAE-based merchants, banks, and payment service providers to ensure that this seamless experience is made available to Indian users as soon as possible,” Sivan said, citing the record 5.5 million Indian tourists who visited the UAE in 2024.
He added that the complete integration of India’s UPI with UAE’s AANI platform will not only serve as a milestone in the bilateral digital ecosystem but also further cement the growing economic partnership between the two nations.
According to Ritesh Shukla, the collaboration marks more than just a convenience for millions of travelers. “This is a digital bridge between two thriving economies. It offers a level of convenience and integration that’s unprecedented in cross-border travel,” he stated.
NIPL has formed strategic partnerships with key UAE entities — including Magnati, Network International, Al Etihad Payments (AEP), and Mashreq’s Neopay — to enable UPI QR code acceptance across thousands of retail and service outlets.“This growth in the UAE is a testament to the global confidence in India’s digital payment innovations,” said Shukla. “With our current partnerships, we now cover approximately 80% of the UAE’s potential market for UPI acceptance.”This move is expected to be a game-changer for Indian residents and tourists, making UPI not just a domestic convenience but a global digital companion.
