Qatar Becomes 8th Nation to Enable UPI QR Payments via QNB and NPCI

Qatar has officially become the 8th country to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, marking another milestone in the global expansion of this digital payment technology. The service is now live through the Qatar National Bank (QNB) in partnership with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global arm of India’s National Payments Corporation of India.

With this launch, Indian travelers, residents, and businesses in Qatar can now make instant QR code-based payments directly through their UPI-linked apps. This means they no longer need to rely on cash or international cards for routine transactions, making daily life and tourism smoother.

UPI, which has transformed digital payments in India, is gaining worldwide recognition for its real-time, secure, and low-cost transaction system. Before Qatar, countries like Bhutan, Nepal, UAE, Mauritius, France, and Sri Lanka had already integrated UPI services in various forms. Now, Qatar adds to this growing list, showing the trust in India’s digital infrastructure model.

For Qatar, this move comes at a time when the country is pushing forward with its digital economy vision, especially after hosting global events like the FIFA World Cup. For India, it strengthens the position of UPI as an exportable fintech innovation, supporting millions of Indians living abroad while also opening the door for local merchants to tap into a wider customer base.

Experts see this as more than just a payment option—it’s a step towards building a global digital payment network with India at the core. With UPI transactions already crossing billions per month in India, its expansion to international markets shows the potential of turning UPI into a global standard for real-time payments.