The facility, alternatively called UPI Global Reverse Acceptance, lets visitors make purchases without depending entirely on cash or looking for a currency exchange outlet. Payments go through the person-to-merchant, or P2M, channel used for QR-based business transactions.

Access is linked to countries within the NPCI International network. The report names France, Singapore, Nepal, Mauritius, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the UAE, as well as Qatar and the USA. It does not identify the individual foreign banking apps that support the facility.

BoB is rolling out the feature throughout its merchant network, positioning it as another reason for businesses to accept payments through its QR codes. For participating shops, the benefit is the ability to receive digital payments from eligible overseas customers who may not have Indian currency available.

Sanjay Mudaliar, BoB’s executive director, said familiar banking apps could make visitors more comfortable with spending during their India trips. He described the launch as progress for digital payments and linked it to the government’s ambition of widening UPI’s international reach.