Foreign countries where GPay is accepted

When digitisation has become the theme of the time, its effects can be observed in almost every sector of our daily lives. Cash payments are backdated, and card payments are also old-fashioned, nowadays, more people are resorting to online mode of payment because of its convenience. It is fast and secure. All you need is to scan the displayed QR code and complete the payment process, provided you have your bank account linked with your phone number.

This trend can be observed not only in India but also in various other countries. Since last February, the UPI or the Unified Payments Interface has been made available in Mauritius and Sri Lanka along with Rupay card services. UPI has already been adopted in France even before this.

In this article, we will highlight the list of all the countries where you can easily use Gpay for completing transactions at stores or transferring money.

What is meant by UPI?

UPI is the abbreviated form for the Unified Payments Interface. This is a unique real-time and instant digital money transfer system. It allows the users to ensure quick and safe money transfers on a real-time basis, across several bank accounts keeping all the bank details confidential.

We have witnessed that this trend for transferring money through UPI has increased significantly especially over the last 2 years. More number of countries are accepting such UPI payments.

Several UPI apps are popular in India. Some of these are Gpay, PhonePay, PayTM, BHIM, CRED, Freecharge, Fi Money, etc.

Their instant action formula is one of the main reasons for such rapid popularity in India, considering the safety factor too.

List of countries where UPI is currently accepted

Not every country supports UPI transactions. So, it is essential to know countries where you can use UPI, especially while undertaking a foreign trip with participating apps and websites:

• Albania

• Algeria

• American Samoa

• Angola

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Argentina

• Australia

• Austria

• Azerbaijan

• Bahrain

• Belarus

• Belgium

• Brazil

• Bulgaria

• Canada

• Chile

• Colombia

• Croatia

• Czechia

• Denmark

• Dominican Republic

• Egypt

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Hong Kong

• Hungary

• Indonesia

• Ireland

• Israel

• Italy

• Japan

• Jordan

• Kazakhstan

• Kenya

• Kuwait

• Latvia

• Lebanon

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Malaysia

• Netherlands

• New Zealand

• Norway

• Oman

• Pakistan

• Panama

• Peru

• Phillippines

• Poland

• Portugal

• Qatar

• Romania

• Russian Federation

• Singapore

• Saudi Arabia

• Slovakia

• South Africa

• Spain

• Sri Lanka

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• Taiwan

• Thailand

• Turkey

• Ukraine

• UAE

• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• USA

• Uruguay

• Vietnam

You must note in this context that Google Pay or Gpay for iPad and iPhone is exclusively available in the US and India.

To pay for travelling by bus or train, you can use Gpay in these countries:

• Australia

• Canada

• India

• Japan

• Russia

• Singapore

• UK

• Ukraine

• US

Gpay can be utilised only in Singapore, India and the US for sending money to family and friends.

Not all features of Google Pay are equally available in all countries.

How do you activate International UPI on Gpay?

The procedure for activating the international UPI varies from app to app. Here, we will highlight the procedure for activating it on Gpay:

• First, you need to click on your profile picture on the Gpay app home screen.

• Then tap the arrow that appears near “set up payment methods 1/3”

• Select the bank account you wish to activate and on the “payment method details” page, choose the “Manage International payments option”

• Enable the tab for “pay with UPI International” and then enter your designated UPI PIN.

• This completes the process and you can proceed with it in the above-mentioned foreign countries.

Procedure for international payments outside the country using UPI

Once the international activation procedure is complete, you can make hassle-free transactions using your UPI Gpay app:

1. You simply need to scan the designated QR code to complete the payment process

2. Enter the necessary amount in the respective foreign currency when the correspondent amount is in Indian currency will be automatically displayed.

3. Select the relevant bank account.

4. The amount will be deducted from your chosen bank account in INR along with any applicable fees as necessary.

5. Then you must verify it by entering your designated Gpay PIN

6. The relevant amount will get automatically credited to the bank account of the concerned beneficiary in the chosen foreign currency

UPI International charges

Although every international UPI transaction eventually evaluates domestic payments, this service comes with a price. However, these charges are not fined by the Gpay app per se, but rather your bank charges it. This happens as an international UPI transaction resembles an international bank transfer.

Some of the common charges that you need to anticipate during Gpay payments in foreign countries are:

1. International transfer fees:

These are specific charges imposed by different banks, covering the handling and processing charges needed to complete a foreign transaction. This amount varies from one bank to another.

2. Exchange rate markups:

Rather than using the mid-market rate, NPCI, the UPI regulatory body and banks usually apply a comparatively higher rate to ensure a higher profit margin on every currency exchange.

3. Conversion change:

The banks automatically convert INR in your selected bank account into the relevant foreign currency instantly and in real-time. They charge a specific conversion rate for this particular service.

International UPI payment limit

The transaction limit for UPI payment transactions must be below or equivalent to INR 200000 per transaction. However, depending on your bank or chosen financial organisation, this limit might change. Gpay does not impose any charge in this respect.

Limitations for using Gpay UPI in foreign countries

Although Gpay payments are convenient, yet there are certain limitations to using them in the case of international transactions:

1. Limited support:

Gpay is available currently only in a handful of countries. Among them, only specific merchants accept such modes of payment. Therefore, the support is quite limited.

2. App and bank compatibility:

Every Indian banking organisation do not offer an international UPI usage facility. Therefore, all travellers must clarify beforehand whether their chosen bank offers this facility or not.

3. Rate fluctuations:

International currency transactions involve a conversion rate charge. This may vary from time to time and bank to bank.

4. Activation validity:

Gpay allows you to use transactions only for 7 days after international activation. However, it can be reactivated as and when required.

5. Security issues:

International UPI transactions require internet accessibility which enhances security risks. Any transactions done over unsecured or public networks prove to be vulnerable to security breaches.

6. Mobile connectivity issues:

Any Gpay UPI transaction requires fast and stable internet accessibility. This may not always be available when you are travelling, especially to remote locales.