• AU SFB enables UPI services for NRE/NRO accounts linked to international mobile numbers.
• NRIs in 12 countries can now use UPI without needing an Indian SIM card.
• The move supports the Digital India mission and improves financial access for the Indian diaspora.

AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s largest small finance bank, has launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services for Non Resident External (NRE) and Non Resident Ordinary (NRO) account holders using international mobile numbers. This initiative follows the National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) recent directive allowing UPI access to NRIs without requiring an Indian SIM card.

With this upgrade, NRIs living in 12 countries,  including the USA, UK, UAE, Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore can now link their NRE/NRO accounts with UPI. They can use the service to make real time, secure, and seamless digital payments within India.

This new feature allows customers to register for UPI using their international numbers, enabling them to carry out a full range of transactions, including bill payments, peer to peer money transfers, and QR code based merchant purchases without additional fees or the need to switch to an Indian mobile connection.

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Uttam Tibrewal, Executive Director and Deputy CEO of AU SFB, stated that this move breaks traditional barriers and helps NRIs stay financially connected to India. “Now, NRIs can scan QR codes and make cashless payments during their visit to India, with ease and security”, he said. He also emphasized the initiative’s alignment with the Government of India’s Digital India mission and AU SFB’s commitment to digital innovation and financial inclusion.

This move not only improves access to digital banking for Indians living abroad but also ensures compliance with Indian regulatory standards.