Indian expatriates in the UAE are calling for a smoother registration process on India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), as many face hurdles linking their UAE mobile numbers with Indian bank accounts. With UPI becoming a preferred payment method in India and expanding globally, NRIs are eager to join the network without switching SIM cards or relying on India-based numbers.
The key roadblock lies in KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance. Current systems often require an active Indian mobile number for OTP-based verification — a major inconvenience for NRIs. Experts suggest that enabling alternate KYC methods, such as passport and UAE residency documentation, could streamline the process while maintaining security.
Banks and fintech companies are exploring ways to widen UPI access internationally, especially with the recent cross-border UPI-RuPay integration in countries like the UAE, Singapore, and Nepal. However, without NRI-friendly onboarding procedures, millions remain excluded from one of India’s most revolutionary payment platforms.
For now, UAE-based NRIs continue to push for regulatory updates and banking flexibility, hoping that their financial connection to India can be as seamless and digital as their lives abroad. Simplifying UPI access could be the next big step in globalizing Indian fintech.
