In a bold leap toward redefining digital payments for India’s global diaspora, Bank of Baroda has unveiled a game-changing upgrade to its bob इ Pay app, launching international UPI services on August 11, 2025. This pioneering move empowers Indian residents and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to make seamless, real-time cross-border payments in eight countries, from bustling Singapore to scenic Bhutan. With features like UPI Global Acceptance, Foreign Inward Remittance from Singapore, and tailored UPI services for NRIs, the app is set to transform how the 35.4 million-strong Indian diaspora manages money across borders. For NRIs, especially those with NRE/NRO accounts, and Indian travelers craving convenience, this is a financial lifeline that promises simplicity, security, and savings. Here’s the full story of how Bank of Baroda is bringing India’s UPI revolution to the world stage.

A New Frontier for UPI: Global Reach, Local Ease

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India’s crown jewel of digital payments, has transformed how money moves within the country since its launch in 2016. With over 14.9 billion transactions worth ₹20.6 lakh crore in August 2024 alone, UPI’s speed and simplicity have made it a global benchmark. Now, Bank of Baroda is taking this innovation worldwide with bob इ Pay International, a suite of three cutting-edge features designed to bridge borders:

• UPI Global Acceptance: Indian travelers and residents can now use bob इ Pay to scan QR codes and pay international merchants directly from their Indian bank accounts in eight countries: Mauritius, Singapore, UAE, USA, France, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.
• Foreign Inward Remittance: Residents in Singapore can send real-time remittances to Bank of Baroda customers in India 24/7, using just a UPI ID, with funds converted from Singapore Dollars (SGD) to Indian Rupees (INR).
• UPI Services for NRIs: NRIs can link their Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts to bob इ Pay using a domestic Indian mobile number during visits to India, enabling seamless merchant payments and peer-to-peer transfers.

Each transaction, whether domestic or international, is capped at ₹1 lakh (approximately US$1,150) per day and per transaction, aligning with India’s domestic UPI limits for consistency and security. “UPI has revolutionized digital payments in India, and we are pleased to now extend its benefits to international use,” said Sanjay Mudaliar, Executive Director of Bank of Baroda. “These features reflect our commitment to user-centric, innovative banking solutions.”

Empowering NRIs: A Financial Bridge to India

For NRIs, managing finances in India has often been a maze of paperwork, branch visits, and limited digital access. The bob इ Pay International suite changes that narrative. NRIs visiting India can now link their NRE or NRO accounts to the app using an Indian mobile number—either a physical SIM, e-SIM, or a number retained abroad. Once linked, they can:

• Pay merchants at local shops, restaurants, or markets by scanning QR codes, just like residents.
• Transfer funds instantly to friends or family via peer-to-peer UPI transactions.
• Receive money from other UPI users, making it easier to manage local expenses or settle dues.

This is a game-changer for the Indian diaspora, particularly the millions in the UAE, USA, and Singapore. For instance, an NRI from Dubai visiting Mumbai can use bob इ Pay to pay for a cab, buy groceries, or send money to a relative, all without needing a local bank account or cash. The app’s 1.3 million registered users, a mix of customers and non-customers, highlight its growing popularity, with downloads available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Real-Time Remittances from Singapore: A Family Lifeline

The Foreign Inward Remittance feature is a standout, especially for Indian families relying on support from loved ones in Singapore. Senders in Singapore can transfer money in SGD by entering the recipient’s UPI ID or Virtual Payment Address (VPA). The funds are converted to INR and credited instantly to the recipient’s UPI-linked Bank of Baroda account, available 24/7. This eliminates the delays and high fees of traditional remittance methods like SWIFT or NEFT, which can take days and cost up to 0.1% of the transaction. For example, a Singapore-based NRI sending SGD 1,000 for family maintenance can rest assured the money reaches their loved one’s account in seconds, with transparent exchange rates and fees displayed upfront.

Global Payments Made Simple: UPI Goes to Eight Countries

For Indian travelers, the UPI Global Acceptance feature is a dream come true. Whether shopping in Paris, dining in Dubai, or exploring Thimphu, bob इ Pay users can pay international merchants by scanning QR codes, with funds deducted directly from their Indian bank accounts. The app displays transaction amounts in both local currency and INR, along with exchange rates and fees, ensuring transparency. This service is live in eight countries—Mauritius, Singapore, UAE, USA, France, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan—making it a powerful tool for tourists, students, and business travelers. For instance, an Indian student in the USA can use bob इ Pay to pay for books or coffee, bypassing the need for costly currency conversions or international cards.

Why It Matters for NRIs and Indian Travelers

The Indian diaspora, spanning over 35 million people, sends billions in remittances to India annually, with $100 billion recorded in 2024. However, NRIs have long faced challenges: limited UPI access for NRE/NRO accounts, reliance on foreign mobile numbers, and high remittance costs. The bob इ Pay International suite addresses these pain points, offering:

• Cost Savings: No additional charges for UPI transactions, unlike traditional remittances that carry fees or exchange rate markups.
• Convenience: Real-time transfers and payments eliminate the need for branch visits or complex forms like the A2 for outward remittances.
• Accessibility: NRIs can use a domestic Indian mobile number during visits, bypassing earlier restrictions on foreign numbers for UPI.
• Security: The app uses 256-bit AES encryption, OTP validation, and a Personal Assurance Message (PAM) to protect against phishing, ensuring safe transactions.

For Indian travelers, the ability to use UPI abroad reduces reliance on cash or international cards, which often incur high foreign transaction fees. This is particularly impactful in countries like Nepal and Bhutan, where UPI’s adoption is growing, and in the UAE, home to over 3.5 million NRIs.

Challenges and Considerations

While the bob इ Pay International suite is a breakthrough, NRIs must navigate a few hurdles:

• Indian Mobile Number Requirement: NRIs need a domestic Indian mobile number to link NRE/NRO accounts, which may require maintaining an active Indian SIM or e-SIM. Those using international numbers may face issues, as not all banks have fully implemented NPCI’s 2023 guidelines allowing foreign numbers for UPI.
• Transaction Limits: The ₹1 lakh per transaction and per day limit (approximately US$1,150) may restrict larger transfers, though it aligns with domestic UPI caps for safety. For bigger remittances, NRIs may still need services like Rapid Funds2India, which has no upper limit but requires branch coordination.
• Limited Outbound Transfers: The app currently supports inward remittances from Singapore but not outward transfers to foreign accounts, a feature NPCI is exploring for future expansion.

NRIs are advised to verify their bank’s UPI support for NRE/NRO accounts and ensure their Indian mobile number is active. The app’s settings allow existing users to activate international features easily, but new users should download bob इ Pay from trusted app stores to avoid phishing risks.

A Competitive Edge in Global Banking

Bank of Baroda’s move makes it one of the first public sector banks to align with NPCI’s global UPI vision, following private players like ICICI Bank, which allows international mobile numbers for UPI. The bob इ Pay app’s 1.3 million users, including non-customers, reflect its broad appeal, and its cashback offer (from June 9 to September 8, 2025) for merchant transactions adds extra incentive. Compared to competitors, Bank of Baroda’s focus on transparency—no hidden fees, clear exchange rates—sets it apart from traditional remittance services like SWIFT, which can cost ₹500 plus exchange rate markups.

The eight-country rollout is strategic, targeting key NRI hubs (UAE, USA, Singapore) and India-friendly nations (Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka). This aligns with RBI’s push for rupee-based global trade, as seen in recent moves to allow Indian banks to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts without prior approval. For NRIs, this means greater financial inclusion and a stronger connection to India’s digital economy.

How NRIs and Travelers Can Get Started

To leverage bob इ Pay International, users should:

• Download the App: Available on Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Ensure it’s the official app to avoid phishing scams.
• Link Accounts: NRIs must link their NRE/NRO accounts using an active Indian mobile number. Residents can use any UPI-linked Bank of Baroda account.
• Activate International Features: Existing users can enable global services via the app’s settings. New users should register and set a UPI PIN.
• Monitor Limits: Keep transactions within the ₹1 lakh daily cap and check exchange rates for transparency.
• Secure the App: Log out after use, avoid public Wi-Fi for transactions, and never share OTPs or UPI PINs.

For remittances from Singapore, recipients in India should share their UPI ID or VPA with senders, ensuring funds are credited instantly. Travelers should confirm merchant UPI acceptance in the eight supported countries before relying on bob इ Pay.

A Bright Future for Global UPI

Bank of Baroda’s bob इ Pay International is a bold step toward making UPI a global force, empowering NRIs and Indian travelers with a tool that’s fast, affordable, and secure. For the Indian diaspora, it’s a way to stay financially connected to home—whether sending money to family in Delhi, paying for a meal in Dubai, or supporting a small business in Kathmandu. As Sanjay Mudaliar put it, “These features provide greater flexibility and convenience, reflecting our commitment to innovative banking solutions.”

With RBI and NPCI pushing for UPI’s global expansion, more countries and features may soon join the fold, potentially including outbound remittances. For now, bob इ Pay’s 1.3 million users have a front-row seat to a digital payment revolution that’s making borders irrelevant. For NRIs dreaming of hassle-free transactions and Indian travelers seeking cashless convenience, Bank of Baroda has just opened a new door to the world.

Sources: CNBC TV18, MediaBrief, Bank of Baroda, Adda247, Goodreturns, The Economic Times, The Hindu BusinessLine, InformalNewz, News18, LiveMint, NewsPatrolling, BankBazaar, MoneyControl, Wise, Reddit, GOINRI