Indian travellers can now use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to make online bookings at At the Top, Burj Khalifa, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and attractions at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. Announced by the Union Ministry of Finance on October 30, 2026, the initiative was enabled through partnerships involving NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and payment partners in both countries.
The UAE integration, developed with NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment, makes At the Top the first attraction in the country to accept UPI for online transactions. In Singapore, the partnership with FOMO Pay extends UPI acceptance to attractions including Universal Studios Singapore, the Singapore Oceanarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark.
The initiative aims to simplify international travel planning by allowing Indian visitors to pay through familiar UPI applications, reducing the inconvenience associated with arranging foreign currency or using unfamiliar payment methods.
Book Attractions Easily
The new facility allows Indian visitors to pay for eligible attraction bookings online using their preferred UPI applications, making the process of planning international holidays more convenient. Travellers can use the payment system when booking visits to At the Top, the observation experience at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and attractions operated at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore.
The Ministry of Finance stated that the integration addresses the growing demand for trusted cross-border payment experiences. By extending UPI to online bookings, the initiative allows travellers to use India’s widely adopted digital payment infrastructure before arriving at their destinations.
In the UAE, the facility has been introduced through a partnership between NIPL, NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment. The ministry identified At the Top, Burj Khalifa, as the first attraction in the country to implement UPI for e-commerce transactions. This marks an expansion of UPI’s international reach beyond payments made directly to participating merchants.
In Singapore, NIPL has partnered with FOMO Pay, a payment institution, to extend UPI acceptance to Resorts World Sentosa. The integration covers bookings for several popular attractions, including Universal Studios Singapore, the Singapore Oceanarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark.
The development is particularly relevant for Indian tourists visiting these destinations. Singapore welcomed approximately 1.2 million Indian visitors in 2025, highlighting the importance of convenient payment options for travellers from India. The new facility could make advance bookings simpler for families, individuals and groups planning visits to the country’s major entertainment and tourism destinations.
However, the announcement concerns online bookings at the specified attractions. Travellers should check the relevant booking platforms for payment availability, applicable terms and any transaction-related charges before completing a purchase.
Strengthening Global Payments
The latest integrations build on efforts to expand UPI’s international acceptance and make India’s digital payment infrastructure accessible to users travelling abroad.
NIPL announced its partnership for enabling UPI online bookings in the UAE on July 29, 2026, followed by the announcement concerning Singapore on September 9, 2026. The subsequent implementation at major tourist attractions represents a move towards integrating digital payments into international travel and entertainment services.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the partnerships strengthen India’s digital and economic connections with the UAE and Singapore. The ministry also highlighted the role of international collaborations in promoting digital innovation, simplifying cross-border commerce and expanding the use of familiar payment systems in global markets.
UPI, which enables users to transfer money between participating bank accounts through supported applications, has become an important part of India’s digital payments ecosystem. Its expansion overseas offers Indian travellers an alternative to relying entirely on international cards or arranging cash in foreign currencies for eligible transactions.
The ministry stated that UPI is currently accepted in 10 countries: Singapore, the UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece. These arrangements allow Indian travellers to make payments through UPI in participating locations, although the services available can differ from country to country.
The international expansion has also reached prominent tourist attractions. On January 26, 2024, UPI-based ticket booking was introduced for the Eiffel Tower in France, providing an earlier example of India’s digital payment system being integrated into a major international visitor experience.
Uzbekistan is also expected to become the 11th country to accept UPI following a commercial agreement announced on August 30, 2026, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country. The agreement signals further efforts to expand the system’s international presence, although its implementation will depend on the arrangements established with local partners.
The latest developments reflect a broader shift towards making digital payments more accessible across borders. However, the practical benefits will depend on the availability of participating merchants, the reliability of payment services and the transparency of any fees or exchange-rate arrangements involved.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The expansion of UPI to popular international attractions is a welcome step towards making travel more convenient and accessible for Indian visitors. Familiar payment options can reduce the uncertainty associated with international transactions and help travellers spend less time navigating unfamiliar payment systems.
At the same time, technological progress should be measured not only by the number of countries or businesses adopting a service but also by how safely, reliably and inclusively people can use it. Clear information about transaction fees, exchange rates, refunds and data protection will be essential to building public confidence in cross-border digital payments.
As India strengthens its digital connections with other countries, partnerships that encourage innovation and cooperation can also contribute to closer economic and cultural ties. Do you think expanding UPI to more international destinations will make travelling abroad easier for Indians, and which country or attraction should adopt it next?
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