Digital payment platform Paytm has unveiled a transformative feature enabling Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to make and receive UPI payments using international mobile numbers, significantly simplifying financial transactions for India’s diaspora community. The initiative represents a major advancement in financial inclusion, bridging geographical boundaries while maintaining India’s secure digital payment infrastructure. This development aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India vision and the government’s focus on promoting cashless transactions and financial digitalization.
Feature Details and Technical Specifications
The new Paytm NRI UPI feature operates on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) protocol, which has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing real-time payment system. NRIs can now link international phone numbers—country codes include +1 (USA/Canada), +44 (UK), +61 (Australia), +971 (UAE), and numbers from over 150 countries—to their Paytm wallets and conduct transactions seamlessly. The system maintains end-to-end encryption and follows the Reserve Bank of India’s security protocols, ensuring transaction safety equivalent to domestic UPI payments.
Paytm’s technology team collaborated with NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) to integrate international number verification mechanisms while adhering to KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance requirements. Users must provide valid identification documents and proof of address to activate the feature. The verification process typically completes within 24-48 hours, after which NRIs gain full access to UPI functionality from anywhere globally.
Activation Process and Requirements
The step-by-step activation procedure remains straightforward. NRIs must download the latest Paytm application version available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Upon opening the app, users navigate to the “Profile” or “Settings” section and select “NRI Payment Account”. The system prompts entry of the international mobile number, country code, and personal identification information. Paytm then initiates an OTP-based verification to the provided international number, confirming ownership and legitimacy.
Documentation requirements include:
- Valid passport or national identification document
- Proof of current international address
- International bank account details for linking (optional but recommended)
- Aadhaar card number for Indian residents maintaining accounts
Once activated, the account functions identically to domestic UPI accounts, with access to features including person-to-person (P2P) transfers, merchant payments, bill settlements, and mobile recharges for family members in India.
Benefits for the Diaspora Community
This feature delivers substantial advantages for the approximately 32 million NRIs globally. Previously, NRIs remitting funds to India faced delays through traditional banking channels, typically requiring 2-5 business days and incurring substantial transfer fees averaging 3-5% of transaction amounts. HDFC Bank’s remittance data indicates average monthly transfers per NRI exceed ₹35,000, accumulating to billions annually sent through conventional channels.
The Paytm NRI feature dramatically reduces these friction points. Instantaneous transfers to family members’ UPI accounts occur in real-time, 24/7/365, with zero transaction fees for person-to-person transfers. NRIs can pay domestic bills, purchase flight tickets for Indian travel, and shop online through Indian e-commerce platforms using their international numbers. The feature particularly benefits parents managing household finances, supporting children’s education expenses, and sending money for emergencies.
Merchant ecosystem integration enables NRIs to pay for online shopping, hotel bookings, and service subscriptions immediately without currency conversion delays. Paytm’s merchant network, exceeding 50 million businesses across India, becomes accessible to international users, democratizing financial participation regardless of physical location.
Global Remittance Market Context
International remittances to India reached $111 billion in 2024, representing the world’s highest inflow to any nation. However, remittance service providers deduct substantial charges, with average costs reaching $3-8 per transaction depending on corridors. Blockchain and fintech innovations have gradually reduced these costs, but traditional banking still dominates due to regulatory compliance requirements. Paytm’s solution operates within existing regulatory frameworks, offering seamless integration without requiring additional cryptocurrency infrastructure.
Leading international remittance companies, including Western Union, Wise, and MoneyGram, face disruption potential from Paytm’s offering. The regulatory approval for international UPI integration signals India’s technological leadership and NPCI’s innovative approach to cross-border payments.
Security and Regulatory Compliance
Paytm’s implementation adheres to multiple regulatory frameworks, including RBI guidelines, FATF recommendations on anti-money laundering, and NPCI’s UPI protocol security standards. Biometric authentication, device fingerprinting, and AI-based fraud detection systems provide multiple security layers protecting accounts from unauthorized access. Paytm’s cybersecurity team has implemented bank-grade encryption comparable to systems protecting institutional financial transactions.
The Reserve Bank of India’s regulatory framework permits international remittances through designated payment system operators under liberalised guidelines introduced in March 2021. Paytm’s licensing as a Payment System Operator enables this functionality while maintaining stringent compliance with anti-terrorism financing (ATF) and know-your-customer protocols.
Eligible Countries and Limitations
Currently, Paytm supports NRI payments from approximately 160 countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, and European Union nations. Some countries, including Iran, North Korea, and those under international sanctions, remain excluded per international financial regulations. The platform supports major currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, and SGD, with competitive exchange rates updating dynamically based on real-time market conditions.
Transaction limits per day restrict transfers to ₹1,00,000 per transaction, with monthly cumulative limits of ₹5,00,000, aligning with RBI guidelines for overseas remittances. Business account holders receive enhanced limits following additional verification procedures.
Implementation Timeline and Rollout
Paytm commenced NRI feature deployment in October 2025, with a phased rollout across user bases. Approximately 2 million NRI users currently maintain Paytm accounts and will receive automatic feature access within 30 days. Additional registration opens thereafter for new NRI users. The company targets onboarding 10 million NRI users within 12 months, substantially expanding India’s digital payment footprint globally.
Conclusion
The Paytm NRI UPI feature represents a paradigm shift in international remittance mechanisms, leveraging India’s advanced payment infrastructure to serve its global diaspora. By enabling instantaneous, fee-free transfers through familiar UPI interfaces, Paytm democratizes financial inclusion and strengthens India’s digital economy. This initiative positions India competitively in the global fintech space while delivering tangible benefits to millions of families receiving overseas remittances.
