The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched its UPI One World wallet ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, enabling foreign delegates from over 40 countries to make secure, cashless UPI payments in India without a local bank account or Indian mobile number.
The pilot service aims to ease transactions for international travellers and showcase Indian digital payment technology.
At the five-day India AI Impact Summit 2026, which began on 16 February and runs through 20 February in New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam complex, NPCI has extended UPI One World wallet services to international visitors.
The initiative allows inbound travellers from more than 40 nations including policymakers, technology leaders, investors and entrepreneurs to make real-time Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payments at merchants nationwide. Transactions are completed by scanning standard UPI QR codes through authorised prepaid payment instrument (PPI)-linked mobile applications.
Crucially, users do not need an Indian bank account or local SIM card to access the service. The wallet can be issued and loaded at designated counters at the New Delhi International Airport and the NPCI Pavilion at the summit venue.
Travellers can fund these wallets using international debit and credit cards, with a per-transaction limit of ₹25,000 and a monthly cap of ₹50,0 00; unused balances may be refunded to the original source following foreign exchange rules.
Sohini Rajola, Executive Director (Growth) at NPCI, said the launch “provides a convenient way to experience India’s real-time payments ecosystem and Made in India technology”. She added that it offers “a glimpse into how smoother cross-border payment systems can support a more connected global digital economy”.
Bringing India’s digital infrastructure into focus
The UPI One World wallet is being piloted during one of India’s most prominent global technology events, attracting delegates from over 40 countries and notable attendees from Silicon Valley and international governments.
While Unified Payments Interface (UPI) itself has long been hailed as the world’s largest real-time payment network, this extension to foreign visitors marks a key moment in the attempt to globalise India’s digital public infrastructure.
By removing the barriers of local mobile numbers or bank accounts, NPCI aims to offer convenience comparable to that enjoyed by residents and to familiarise global citizens with India’s digital payment strengths.
Officials emphasise that the pilot also demonstrates how digital public infrastructure can be inclusive and user-centric. It builds on earlier phases of the UPI One World programme, which has been expanded over the past year to allow inbound international travellers initially at major events and select entry points to use UPI seamlessly. This aligns with wider government efforts to strengthen India’s appeal as an AI, technology and innovation hub.
By showcasing this capability on a global stage, India is underscoring both the scale and sophistication of its digital economy. Observers note that the ease of cashless transactions can enhance visitor experience, reduce reliance on foreign exchange counters and cut down on cash dependency in everyday spending.
The evolution of digital inclusion beyond borders
India’s UPI system has seen rapid growth in recent years, processing billions of transactions domestically, and has increasingly become a model for cross-border payment innovation. Extending wallet services to foreigners is a logical next step in this evolution, signalling ambitions to make UPI a truly international digital payments standard.
However, the initiative is not without challenges. Successful adoption depends on awareness among foreign visitors, clarity in user onboarding, and alignment with foreign exchange regulations. Past pilots and traveller feedback suggest some users have encountered mixed experiences while attempting to link or use foreign-accessible digital wallets in India.
These insights underline the importance of robust user support and clear implementation protocols as the service expands beyond pilot phases.
As digital currencies and cross-border payment standards evolve globally, India’s attempt to simplify payments for international travellers through UPI One World contributes to broader conversations about interoperability, regulatory compliance and inclusive design in digital financial services.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The expansion of UPI One World to international visitors at a major global summit reflects the promise of technology to foster human connection and practical convenience across borders.
It demonstrates how thoughtfully designed digital systems can dismantle everyday barriers like payments making travel and engagement smoother for people everywhere.
Yet, this must be balanced with respect for user protection, informed consent and ease of access, especially for those unfamiliar with India’s digital ecosystem.
By placing user experience at the heart of innovation, India not only elevates its technological success but also honours values of openness and hospitality
