Indian travellers can now use UPI payments in Qatar
text_fields
Indian tourists visiting Qatar can now make seamless digital payments using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), with Qatar Duty Free becoming the first merchant in the country to go live with the service.
The rollout follows a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Qatar National Bank (QNB), enabling UPI acceptance through QR code-based transactions at point-of-sale terminals across Qatar. The infrastructure is powered by NETSTARS’ payment solution.
The move is expected to greatly benefit Indian visitors, who make up the second-largest group of international tourists in Qatar. By allowing real-time payments at retail outlets, tourist attractions and airport duty-free shops, UPI reduces the reliance on cash and currency exchange.
Qatar Duty Free outlets at Hamad International Airport are the first to enable the service, with more QNB-acquired merchants set to join in the coming months.
With this launch, Qatar becomes the eighth country to accept UPI payments, joining Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement, Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NIPL, described the partnership as part of a broader strategy to expand UPI’s global footprint.
“This collaboration with QNB will help millions of Indian travellers make seamless, secure digital transactions and reduce their dependence on cash,” he said.
From Qatar’s perspective, the move is also being seen as a catalyst for economic growth.
Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, Group Chief Business Officer of QNB, said, “this milestone enhances convenience for Indian travellers but also benefits the Qatari market by boosting retail and tourism sectors and promoting cashless transactions".
The adoption of UPI in Qatar is expected to strengthen digital interoperability, ease cross-border payments and support the country’s push towards a more cashless economy.
