Indian travellers can now use their familiar UPI-enabled applications to make digital payments across Uzbekistan by scanning the country’s national interoperable QR code, UZQR.
The development follows a commercial agreement signed between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC), which operates Uzbekistan’s national payment system HUMO.
Key Details of Agreement
- Indian organisation: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) — the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- Uzbek partner: National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC), operator of HUMO.
- Date: 30 August 2026
- Payment infrastructure: Uzbekistan’s Unified National QR / UZQR system.
- Purpose: Enable Indian UPI users to make instant person-to-merchant (P2M) payments in Uzbekistan.
The agreement was announced during the Prime Minister of India’s bilateral visit to Uzbekistan, during which India and Uzbekistan also elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Regulatory Approvals
The arrangement was implemented after receiving formal approval from the relevant financial regulators:
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU)
The CBU designated HUMO as NIPL’s authorised partner for cross-border merchant acceptance.
What Does This Mean for Indian Travellers?
The integration of UPI with Uzbekistan’s mandatory national QR infrastructure is expected to provide near-universal UPI acceptance among participating merchants.
Indian Students, Tourists, Business travellers can make payments directly from their Indian bank accounts at participating retail, hospitality and service establishments.
This can reduce dependence on international cards or cash and minimise the friction associated with foreign-exchange markups.
Major Benefits
1. Wider Merchant Acceptance
Connecting UPI with Uzbekistan’s UZQR infrastructure allows Indian users to make payments across a broad network of participating retail, hospitality and service merchants.
2. Seamless Payments While Travelling
Users can make direct P2M payments through their existing UPI applications and Indian bank accounts, making everyday transactions easier while abroad.
3. Stronger Digital Cooperation
The initiative deepens cooperation between India and Uzbekistan in digital public infrastructure and supports their wider strategic and economic partnership.
UPI’s International Reach
With the Uzbekistan integration, UPI’s overseas acceptance network includes 10 countries listed in the provided information:
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
- France
- Mauritius
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Qatar
- Sri Lanka
- Cambodia
- Greece
This allows Indian travellers in these destinations to use UPI for seamless payments through participating merchants.