NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), in partnership with Qatar National Bank (QNB), has made it possible for Indian travellers to use UPI QR code payments across Qatar. Merchants acquired by QNB, powered by NETSTARS’ payment solution, can now accept UPI at their POS terminals. Qatar Duty Free is the first merchant to go live, allowing seamless payments at major tourist spots.

Indians are the second largest group of visitors to Qatar, and this move makes it easier for them to pay without carrying cash or worrying about currency exchange. Real-time UPI transactions will now be possible across the country, promoting convenience and safety.

The new system is also a boost for Qatar’s retail and tourism sectors, as merchants can expect higher transaction volumes and better business growth while offering a smooth payment experience to customers. This partnership further strengthens India’s digital payment footprint globally and expands UPI’s reach. Indian travellers can already make payments at select merchant outlets in countries like France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and Bhutan, and now Qatar joins the list.

About the UPI payment system

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time payment system in India that allows instant money transfers between banks and makes merchant payments easy. It was first developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an organisation set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to modernise digital payments in the country.

UPI was officially launched as a pilot on April 11, 2016, inMumbai by Dr Raghuram G. Rajan, the then-Governor of RBI. The pilot involved 21 member banks and aimed to create a seamless, secure, and fast payment system that could be accessed via mobile phones.

The main goal of UPI is to enable financial inclusion by making banking and digital transactions accessible to everyone, including people in rural areas. Over time, UPI has become one of India’s most popular digital payment platforms, helping millions of users make quick, safe, and convenient transactions across the country.