ICICI Bank has announced that it has allowed NRI customers to use their international mobile number to make UPI payments in India. Until now, an NRI will need a valid Indian mobile number to set up a UPI ID and use any UPI app.
How will it work?
Using their international mobile number linked to their NRE or NRO bank account held with ICICI Bank in India, the bank’s NRI customers can use this feature to pay for their utility bills, merchant transactions, and online purchases. With its mobile banking app, iMobile Pay, the Bank has made this service accessible.UPI for NRIs with international mobile numbers: Who can use, how to use, how it will benefit, explained
According to the ICICI Bank press release dated May 6, 2024, “NRI customers of the Bank can make UPI payments by scanning any Indian QR code, sending money to a UPI ID or any Indian mobile number or Indian bank account.”
How to activate UPI facility on the international mobile number
Here are easy steps to activate the UPI facility on the international mobile numbers using iMobile Pay.Step 1: Log in to the iMobile Pay app
Step 2: Click on ‘UPI Payments’
Step 3: Verify Mobile Number
Step 4: Click on Manage –> My Profile
Step 5: Create a new UPI ID (select from the suggested options)
Step 6: Select the Account Number -> Submit.
Who can use this facility?
The bank offers this facility across 10 countries namely the USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Important FAQs for NRIs, according to the ICICI Bank website
How does the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) work for NRIs?
UPI enables ICICI Bank Account Holders to send and receive money from their smartphones with a single identifier i.e. Virtual Payment Address (VPA), using their registered Indian or overseas mobile number from select geographies, i.e. Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK and USA.
UPI can be used for transactions in Indian Rupees (INR) for:
- Sending money/ making payments to Indian merchants or UPI/ VPA IDs
- Scanning any UPI QR code to send money
- Sending money to any Indian mobile number (if the mobile number is enabled for UPI)
- Sending money to an Indian bank account.
Can NRIs use UPI for transactions in India using their overseas mobile number?
Yes, NRIs can use UPI from their registered overseas mobile number from the approved geographies, i.e. Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK, and USA for INR transactions in India.
How can an NRI set up a UPI/ VPA ID?
NRIs can set up a UPI/ VPA ID using their ICICI Bank registered Indian mobile number or overseas mobile number from the approved geographies, i.e. Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK, and USA.
ICICI Bank NRI customers can register themselves for UPI by following these steps:
Log in to the iMobile Pay application > UPI Payments > Verify Mobile Number > SMS Based Verification > Manage > My Profile > Create UPI ID and Select bank account (NRE/NRO) > Success.