PhonePe Expands UPI Payment Options for Indian Travelers

In a significant move to enhance convenience for Indian travelers, PhonePe, a leading UPI payments platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Liquid Group, a fintech leader in digital cross-border payment solutions. This collaboration aims to expand PhonePe’s merchant acceptance network in Singapore, a popular destination for Indian tourists.

Widespread QR Code Acceptance

Under this new partnership, PhonePe users will be able to make payments by scanning QR codes at a variety of merchant locations across Singapore. These QR codes will be prominently available at tourist-centric sites including Changi Airport, duty-free shops, popular restaurants, bars, and retail outlets such as The Cocoa Trees, Charles & Keith, Luvenus Jewellery, and Hard Rock Café. The initiative also extends to sightseeing spots and transportation services, ensuring a seamless payment experience throughout the city-state.

This development is facilitated through Liquid Group’s partnership with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), which enables the integration of UPI payments into Liquid Group’s extensive merchant network.

How to Use UPI Payments in Singapore

For Indian travelers using PhonePe, the payment process is straightforward. Users simply need to scan the QR code displayed by the merchants, and transactions will be processed in Indian Rupees (INR). This ensures transparency in currency conversion and ease of use for PhonePe users.

Additionally, PhonePe users can benefit from several other features during their travel:

• International Remittances: Through the PayNow-UPI real-time remittance corridor, users can receive international remittances using UPI. This feature leverages the UPI infrastructure to simplify the process, eliminating the need to share traditional banking details such as account numbers and IFSC codes.
• Payments for NRIs: Singapore-based Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can link their NRE/NRO bank accounts with PhonePe. This allows them to make payments for various services in India, including utility bill payments, fund transfers to friends and family, and transactions with Indian merchants both online and offline.

These features were part of PhonePe’s broader initiative to enable UPI-based functionalities for international use cases, which launched earlier in 2024 and has been well-received in recent months.

Statements from Leadership

Ritesh Pai, CEO of International Payments at PhonePe, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to partner with Liquid Group to bring the convenience of UPI payments to Indian travelers visiting Singapore. This popular destination is a favorite among Indian tourists, and we’re excited to empower them to pay quickly and easily at their favorite food, shopping, and sightseeing spots, making their travel experience even more enjoyable.”

Alvin Seck, CCO of Liquid Group, also commented on the collaboration, saying, “We are excited to join forces with PhonePe to enhance the payment experience for Indian travelers in Singapore. By integrating UPI into our extensive merchant network, we are not only simplifying transactions but also reinforcing our commitment to providing seamless, cross-border payment solutions. This partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of making global payments more accessible and efficient for consumers and businesses alike.”

Conclusion

The partnership between PhonePe and Liquid Group marks a significant step towards simplifying payments for Indian travelers in Singapore. By expanding UPI payment acceptance, PhonePe enhances convenience and offers a seamless transaction experience at a variety of merchant locations. This move not only benefits travelers but also highlights PhonePe’s commitment to improving cross-border payment solutions.

With the integration of UPI payments into Liquid Group’s merchant network, Indian tourists can now enjoy their travels without worrying about complex payment processes, making their visit to Singapore even more enjoyable.