India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed everyday transactions by making digital payments quick and convenient. However, using the same payment system outside India may not always deliver a seamless experience.
A recent incident at Singapore's Changi Airport has highlighted this challenge after an Indian traveller failed to complete a UPI transaction using Google Pay. The incident has attracted attention among digital payment users and international travellers, raising questions about the reliability of UPI payments at overseas merchant locations.
What Happened at Singapore's Changi Airport?
An Indian traveller named Nikhil George attempted to make a purchase at The Cocoa Trees outlet inside Singapore's Changi Airport using Google Pay.
According to his social media post, the cashier had warned him that UPI payments were frequently unsuccessful at the location. Despite the warning, he decided to scan the merchant's QR code.
However, the transaction could not be completed. His application displayed an error message stating that it could not obtain the conversion rate and asked him to scan again.
The incident became a talking point because UPI has already expanded its international presence, including Singapore. It also highlighted the difference between having access to an international payment facility and receiving consistent service at every merchant.
Can Indians Use UPI in Singapore?
Yes, Indian users can make UPI payments at participating merchant locations in Singapore, provided their bank account and payment application support international transactions.
However, international UPI is not automatically available at every shop. Merchants must support the relevant payment network, and users may need to activate the international payment feature before making a transaction.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) provides international merchant payment facilities through participating banks and payment applications.
How to Activate UPI International Payments
Travellers should check their payment application's international payment settings before leaving India.
For Google Pay users, the general process includes:
- Open Google Pay and select the QR scanning option.
- Scan a participating international merchant's QR code.
- Follow the instructions to activate UPI International, if required.
- Enter the payment amount in the supported foreign currency.
- Select the eligible bank account and review the conversion details.
- Authorise the transaction using the UPI PIN.
The feature is available only for supported bank accounts and participating locations. Google Pay also states that international activation may remain valid for seven days, after which users can activate it again.
Why Can UPI Payments Fail Abroad?
Several factors may affect international UPI transactions.
Currency conversion problems: Payments require foreign currency conversion, and technical issues involving exchange-rate information may prevent transactions from completing.
Merchant acceptance: Not every QR code supports international UPI payments. A QR code that works with a local payment application may not necessarily accept an Indian UPI account.
Bank and application support: International payment availability depends on participating banks, supported applications and account settings.
Network or technical issues: Temporary connectivity problems or payment processing failures may also interrupt transactions.
What Should Travellers Do Before Using UPI Abroad?
International travellers should avoid depending entirely on one payment method. Before travelling, users should verify whether their bank supports international UPI, check applicable foreign exchange charges and confirm merchant acceptance.
It is also advisable to carry an alternative payment method, such as an eligible international debit or credit card.
UPI's international expansion represents an important development for India's digital payment ecosystem. However, incidents like the Singapore airport transaction demonstrate that wider availability does not automatically guarantee successful payments everywhere.
For Indian travellers, the practical approach is to treat international UPI as a convenient payment option while keeping an alternative ready.
