Paytm Rolls Out UPI Access For NRIs In 12 Countries

Fintech major Paytm has rolled out a new feature that lets Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) use their international mobile numbers to make UPI payments on its app.

With this update, NRI users living abroad can now log in to the Paytm app using their international number and link it to their NRE or NRO bank accounts. Once linked, they can make everyday UPI payments in India, whether paying at local shops, transferring money to friends and family, or shopping online, without needing an Indian SIM card or going through currency conversion.

The feature, powered by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is currently available in beta and supports users from 12 countries, including the US, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Canada, France, and Saudi Arabia.

Paytm also highlighted that these users will have access to its app features such as spend analysis, downloadable UPI statements, and balance tracking across multiple bank accounts.

This adds on to the company’s bid to crack the international markets to grow its revenues. In its FY25 annual report, the company said that it expects international expansion “efforts” to yield results in the next three years. 

“For additional long-term growth, we are exploring opportunities in select international geographies, expecting to see results from these ventures after three years, leveraging our technology-led merchant payments and financial services distribution model,” it said.

Important to note that Paytm rolled out ‘UPI International’ in select overseas markets in November 2024. The rollout allowed Indian users to make payments in countries like UAE, Singapore, France, Mauritius, Bhutan and Nepal, among others, where UPI is already accepted. 

The international UPI launch also adds on to the Noida-based fintech company’s bid to align its focus on its core payments business after a year of internal restructuring and cost cuts. 

Earlier this year, Paytm doubled down on its payments vertical. The company, which earlier had diversified into “too many” businesses, including Paytm Insider and short loan verticals as well as international bets like Australia based PayPay.

After the regulatory crackdown on its payments bank in 2024, the company narrowed down on its payments vertical by either selling off other businesses or shutting down the offerings. It also used AI to cut costs on a large scale. 

The strategy helped the company get into the black in the first quarter of FY26, reporting a net profit of INR 122.5 Cr  compared to a INR 840 Cr loss incurred in the same quarter last year. Its top line zoomed 28% YoY to INR 1,918 Cr during the quarter under review. In this, its payments business contributed over half of its total operating revenue.

Meanwhile, Paytm has also been working on simplifying its group structure to consolidate operations, reduce redundancies, and improve regulatory compliance across its multiple business verticals.

In August, Paytm’s board approved investments worth INR 455 Cr across subsidiaries, including INR 300 Cr in Paytm Money, its investment and wealth management arm, and INR 155 Cr in Paytm Services Pvt Ltd (PSPL), which handles manpower and operational support. 

At the same time, it shut down the real money gaming operations of First Games following the government’s ban on RMG platforms.

Shares of Paytm ended today’s trading session 1.53% higher at INR 1306.2 on BSE today.