UPI is a financial tool loved by Indians for making their lives easier. While the system works within the country, NRIs still have access to the UPI international transfers. In this article, we will reveal how you can send money online to a UPI ID.
What is UPI
NRI remittance to India
Profee — an app for UPI international transfers
Step-by-step guide on UPI international transfers with Profee
FAQ — UPI payment internationally
What is UPI
UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a modern way of managing money. With this tool, you can pay, send, and receive funds in India and some other countries using a mobile phone only.
In short, this is how UPI works:
- You need a mobile number connected to an existing bank account.
- Create a virtual payment access (VPA) in your bank’s app, Google Pay, PhonePe or similar apps.
- Get the UPI app.
- When paying in shops, sending and receiving money, use VPA or scan QR codes.
Such payments are instant. You don’t have to carry cash — bad news for the robbers, good news for us — or enter bank details, which saves a lot of time.
However, there is a limit of sending money through UPI, which usually equals ₹1 lakh (100,000 Indian rupees) per transaction. In special cases, such as retail schemes and IPOs, it can be extended up to ₹5 lakh. Also, your bank can have its own rules. So, if you Google ‘What is the limit of sending money through UPI?’ and are still not sure, contact your bank directly.
More helpful articles for Indias abroad:
- Investing in India for NRIs.
- Getting an IT job in Europe as an Indian.
- Diamonds VS gold: A guide to investment for NRIs.
- A list of the top banks in India.
- How to overcome homesickness.
International UPI payment app
UPI is built for Indians and domestic use, but visitors can use an international UPI payment app called UPI One World. After downloading the app and linking your bank to UPI, it’ll be easier to manage your payments while travelling around India.
UPI international payment charges
UPI international payment charges are mostly related to the exchange rates and bank or service fees. UPI itself doesn’t charge clients anything when they send money from abroad. So, to avoid surprises, find a transparent service and check your bank’s T&C before sending the funds.
NRI remittance to India
Expats have many questions about NRI remittance to India. Now, we'll answer the two most common: ‘How NRIs send money to India’ and ‘How much money can an NRI send to India’.
How NRIs send money to India
To send money to India to an NRI account, expats use wire transfers, online services, demand drafts, and other options like cross-border UPI, which are currently very limited. The best way to send money to India to an NRI account is via an online transfer service — it’s convenient, fast and cost-effective. We’ll go into more details later, in the step-by-step guide on the UPI international transfers section below.
How much money can an NRI send to India
There are no official limits, as long as your transfers are legal. However, some huge sums, like gifts over ₹50,000, may be taxable.
Don’t use shady methods, and your NRI remittance to India will be smooth and pleasant. Choose Profee — we created a trusted service for making UPI international transfers and sending money to Indian bank accounts and cards from abroad.
Profee — an app for UPI international transfers
Gift for our readers: a promo code READPROMO for a 0% fee transfer. Use it until September 30th, 2025.
If you’re searching for the best way to send money to a UPI ID, try Profee first. With pur service, you can send money online to a UPI ID from Poland, Ireland, Germany and 90+ countries in minutes without leaving your house. Here is why you’ll love it:
Money-saver
You want unmatched rates? You got it. You want little to no fees? You got it. Profee makes sure your transfers are cost-efficient, so you don’t overpay and can send more back home.
Our smart monitoring system constantly checks the rate fluctuations (even now while you're reading it), so the numbers you see are up-to-date. Once you start your UPI payment internationally, the rates and fees won't change—build financial plans with peace of mind.
Welcome offer
Profee is a hospitable service that takes care of newcomers. When you send money to India for the first time, we’ll give you a special rate as a gift, so your transfer will be even more beneficial. Don’t miss this chance.
Fast
We know NRIs are busy working, studying, and settling down abroad, so every second matters. You'll sign up and send funds in minutes—faster than the queue in the migration office ends. We don't ask for hundreds of documents and unnecessary details, so our transfers are quick and simple. Some expats believe this is the best way to send money to a UPI ID when you are running out of time.
Keeps you safe
NRIs are looking for secure payment methods to India, and Profee is here to serve them. The licensed service follows strict PCI DSS standards, complies with GDPR and uses strong data encryption to safeguard your data and money. As of 2025, over 800,000 of expats all around the world already tried Profee and were satisfied with the level of protection it offers. Become one of them!
Seamless for everyone
Senders don’t waste time and deal with the transfers fast. The interface is exactly what’s needed — straighforward, understandable and eye-pleasing. It’s not those crypto hubs that look like you’re about to solve the most complicated math problem ever.
Recipients don’t have to download anything or go to the bank — the funds arrive automatically to their UPI accounts.
Online services are the best way to send money to a UPI ID, and Profee stands out among them as a cost-effective and trusted option.
Step-by-step guide on UPI international transfers with Profee
Register
Join Profee with your full name, email and phone number. Then, to fully set up your account and start sending money, add your nationality, current address and date of birth. This data will be used only to prove your ID and ensure you're not a scammer. Our strong protection system will safeguard everything.
Specify your transfer amount
Enter how much you’d like to send in our calculator. Let the machine work for you and see how it automatically converts the currency. The rates and fees will be shown to you right away. What you see is what the recipient will get — the rates won’t change, and there will be no hidden charges on our side. Are you sending gifts to India? Add a little bit more for your loved ones, they’ll appreciate it.
Select your payment method
You can send funds using a bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or even via bank account transfers (SEPA, Sofort, Volt). The exact payment options may vary depending on your residence country, but all of these are convenient and secure options. The best part is that you’re not locked into one choice — feel free to switch your preferred payment method each time you send.
Add the recipient’s details
To send money online to UPI ID from the UK, Sweden, Norway and other destinations, all you need is the UPI ID itself and the full name of the recipient. It’s that easy. There’s no need to ask for account numbers, IFSC codes, or any other banking details — which not only simplifies the process but also adds an extra layer of privacy and security. Send large sums to India with Profee worry-free – we handle your transfers with care.
You can always keep the recipient’s details near you, just save their UPI ID and full name in the app. Make your next transfer even faster.
Plus, you can send money to Indian bank cards accounts – choose whichever option you prefer.
Confirm
NRI remittance to India requires attention and accuracy. Take your time to review the details, spot the typos and and make sure you’re sending money to the right person and account. When everything is correct, approve the transfer. Funds will be on its way and land on the recipient's UPI account soon.
With Profee, you can send money during holidays, weekends and at any time of the day and night. Add this service to your NRI financial planning and send money back home beneficially.
FAQ — UPI payment internationally
Can an NRI make a UPI payment?
Yes, UPI payments are available for NRIs. You need a non-resident bank account in India, which is UPI-enabled.
Can NRIs send money to India instantly through UPI?
Yes, if you use the Profee online money transfer service. It allows sending money from abroad to UPI accounts in India. You’ll only need your payment method (bank cards or accounts, Apple Pay, Google Pay), and the UPI ID and the full name of the recipient. Nothing else — security at its finest.
How can foreigners pay UPI in India?
There is an international UPI payment app called UPI One World. You can link your bank to it and pay smoothly while in India.
Can you use UPI without an Indian bank account?
Yes, if you visit India as a foreigner and have a UPI One World account.
Where do I find my UPI ID?
In your payment app. Find your account or bank account details and the UPI ID should be displayed somewhere in this section.
What is the limit of sending money through UPI?
The limit of sending money through UPI is usually ₹1 lakh (100,000 Indian rupees) per transaction. It may vary for certain types of transfers.
