Yes, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is indeed available for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) residing in the USA, primarily for facilitating Indian Rupee (INR) transactions within India. This connectivity allows NRIs to manage their financial activities in India seamlessly from overseas.
UPI for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in the USA
UPI offers significant convenience for NRIs by enabling them to conduct various financial transactions in India. This includes sending money to family, paying bills, or managing investments in their Indian bank accounts. The availability of UPI extends to NRIs who use their registered overseas mobile numbers from approved geographies, including the USA, for transactions directed towards India.
How NRIs Can Leverage UPI
For NRIs in the USA, using UPI typically involves linking their Indian bank accounts to a UPI ID via a mobile banking application. This setup enables them to:
- Send Funds to India: Easily transfer money to beneficiaries in India.
- Pay Bills: Settle utility bills, credit card bills, and other expenses in India.
- Manage Investments: Facilitate transactions related to their Indian investments.
- Shop Online: Make payments for online purchases from Indian merchants.
The process generally requires the NRI to have an active Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) or Non-Resident External (NRE) account in India and an international mobile number registered with their Indian bank.
Geographical Reach of NRI UPI Services
The facility to use UPI from an overseas mobile number is extended to NRIs in several countries. The USA is prominently among the approved geographies where NRIs can avail themselves of this service for INR transactions directed to India.
Below is a list of the approved geographies from which NRIs can use UPI with their registered overseas mobile numbers:
| Region | Status |
|---|---|
| Australia | Approved |
| Canada | Approved |
| France | Approved |
| Hong Kong | Approved |
| Malaysia | Approved |
| Oman | Approved |
| Qatar | Approved |
| Saudi Arabia | Approved |
| Singapore | Approved |
| UAE | Approved |
| UK | Approved |
| USA | Approved |
Setting Up UPI for NRIs
To set up a UPI ID, NRIs typically follow these steps:
- Bank Account: Ensure you have an active NRE or NRO account with an Indian bank.
- Mobile Number Registration: Your international mobile number (from the USA, in this case) must be registered with your Indian bank account.
- Download UPI App: Install a UPI-enabled mobile banking application provided by an Indian bank (e.g., your bank's app).
- Create UPI ID: Follow the app's instructions to create a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) or UPI ID, linking it to your Indian bank account.
- Set MPIN: Establish a UPI PIN (MPIN) for secure transactions.
This integration makes cross-border financial management simpler and more efficient for NRIs.
Important Considerations
It is crucial to understand that UPI availability in the USA for NRIs is specifically for facilitating INR transactions within India. This means NRIs can use their international mobile numbers to send money to India or make payments in India. It does not imply that UPI can be used for USD transactions within the USA or for international remittances from India to other countries. The primary purpose is to streamline financial interactions with India from abroad.
