UPI
Nepal · Cross-border UPI
Indo-Nepal UPI payment hub
Cross-border digital payments · Indian UPI in Nepal · NPCI International & Nepal Rastra Bank context
Corridor snapshot · verify limits with your bank & app
Illustrative figures below—NPCI, NRB, and participating banks publish the authoritative limits and fees.
Regulators: Nepal Rastra Bank · Reserve Bank of India
How Indo-Nepal UPI works
Indian UPI users can pay Nepali merchants by scanning supported Nepali QR codes. Routing typically involves NPCI International and partner switches in Nepal.
- 1 Tourist scans the merchant’s QR in a supported UPI app.
- 2 Transaction is routed via NPCI International and Nepal-side partners.
- 3 FX / settlement rules apply (INR ↔ NPR) per bank and corridor terms.
- 4 Merchant receives funds per their bank’s settlement cycle.
- 5 Both sides get app confirmations when successful.
Note: Only Indian mobile numbers with active UPI on a supported app can originate these payments.
Participating Nepali banks (examples)
Early movers as of 2025–2026 (illustrative—confirm with the bank):
| Bank | Status | Activation (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Nabil Bank | Active | Dec 2024 |
| Global IME Bank | Active | Jan 2025 |
| Prabhu Bank | Active | Feb 2025 |
| NIC Asia Bank | Active | Mar 2025 |
BFIs & Fonepay QR All BFIs that have onboarded Fonepay merchant QR can accept UPI payments from Indian visitors, subject to each bank’s live configuration and regulator rules.
Transaction limits (illustrative)
Your issuing bank and UPI app enforce the final caps.
Fees & FX (illustrative)
| Fee type | Charge | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Merchant MDR | ~0.75% of amount | Nepali merchant |
| Currency conversion | ~0.5% spread (example) | Indian payer |
| Cross-border | ~1.5% of amount (example) | Indian payer |
FX: usually reference rate plus bank/app spread—check live quote before confirming.
For Nepali merchants
- 1 Business account with a participating bank.
- 2 Apply for a Fonepay merchant QR through your bank.
- 3 Complete KYC with business documents.
- 4 Display the QR at the counter; train staff on confirmations.
For Indian tourists
- Before travel: update UPI app; enable international / cross-border if your bank offers the toggle.
- In Nepal: ensure data/SMS works for UPI OTP if required.
- Pay: scan merchant QR → enter NPR amount → review FX/fees → UPI PIN.
Supported QR code networks
Indian UPI apps scan these Nepali QR types when the corridor is enabled:
| QR network | Operator | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Fonepay QR | Fonepay Payment | Nationwide |
| Connect IPS QR | NCHL | Still not confirmed |
KYC & security
| Ticket size | Indian user | Nepali merchant |
|---|---|---|
| Below NPR 2,000 | Basic UPI KYC | Merchant registration |
| NPR 2,000 – 50,000 | Full KYC | Business KYC |
| Above NPR 50,000 | Enhanced KYC | Enhanced business KYC |
Regulatory framework
- Bodies NRB + RBI
- Operators NPCI International + Fonepay
- Agreement MOU track (2023 onward)—follow official circulars for live status.
- Future Reciprocal / expanded corridor items appear in regulator notices.
Support
| Issue | Contact | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Payment failed | Your Indian bank / UPI app | 24–48 h |
| QR not scanning | Merchant’s bank | Same day |
| Wrong amount | Merchant + banks | 3–7 days |
NPCI +91-22-6130-9900 · npci.org.in