If you are staying outside India and want to send money to your family or friends in India, you no longer need an Indian mobile number.
IDFC First Bank has launched a new feature that lets NRI customers make UPI payments using their international mobile numbers.
This service started on 25 June 2025 and is specially made for Indians living abroad who still have bank accounts in India.
Which countries can use this service?
This new feature from IDFC First Bank is a big advantage for lakhs of NRIs, as it removes the need for an Indian mobile number to use UPI.
The service is available in 12 countries: Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK, and USA.
IDFC First Bank customers with NRE and NRO accounts in these countries can now use UPI apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm with their international mobile numbers.
Main Features of the Service
No Indian SIM Needed: You can now link your UPI account to your international number instead of an Indian one.
Quick Payments: Send money instantly, pay bills, or do QR code/UPI ID-based transactions without delays.
Zero Charges: There are no extra fees for using this facility.
Secure Transactions: UPI payments will have the same level of security as in India.
Only in Rupees: This service supports only Indian Rupee (INR) transactions, and there are no foreign exchange fees.
How to Get Started
Open the IDFC First Bank mobile app and tap on the ‘Pay’ option.
Link your NRE or NRO account.
Create a UPI ID and begin making payments right away.
Ashish Singh, Head of Retail at IDFC First Bank, said that the bank wants to make banking simple and easy from anywhere. Allowing UPI with international numbers is a move in that direction and will be a big support for Indians living overseas.
