India’s Unified Payments Interface is now accepted in Qatar. Piyush Goyal inaugurated the service on October 6–7, 2025 at LuLu Hypermarket, The Pearl, Doha, during his official visit for the Joint Commission meetings. The Press Information Bureau said the minister also met business leaders and discussed deeper trade ties.
UPI acceptance began with a pilot at Qatar Duty Free in Hamad International Airport, then widened to stores acquired by Qatar National Bank (QNB), with the tech stack provided by NETSTARS.
How UPI will work in Qatar
Indian visitors and residents can scan QR codes and pay from any UPI app at QNB-acquired merchants. LuLu Hypermarket is the first large retail chain to go live nationwide.
Commercial Bank (CBQ) has also signed with NIPL to enable UPI acceptance across its merchant network, adding to coverage.
Who benefits
Qatar hosts about 835,000 Indian nationals, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Everyday spending becomes faster and cheaper, with no card forex fees.
Indian travelers gain a familiar checkout flow from landing to city shopping. Hamad International Airport duty-free was the first live site, so usage starts right at arrival.
Remittances already exist in parallel. CBQ launched UPI-based remittances to India on March 14, 2023, letting customers send money using a UPI ID. The new launch focuses on in-store payments.
Trade angle and the “eighth country” milestone
Goyal’s Doha visit included signals on economic integration. India and Qatar aim to finalize the Terms of Reference for an FTA or CEPA as part of the Joint Commission agenda.
With Qatar’s go-live, media tallies place it as the eighth country where UPI is accepted, after France, the UAE, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.
Disclaimer
For paid/sponsored articles, FintechMode neither endorses nor takes responsibility for the accuracy, timeliness, quality, and content of said articles. The statements, views and opinions expressed in paid/sponsored articles are solely those of the content provider and readers are reminded that Cryptocurrency products are unregulated in most locations and can be highly risky. Do your own research and consult relevant financial experts before making any investment decisions. FintechMode will not be held accountable, either directly or indirectly, for any harm or loss that may stem from or be linked to the usage or reliance on any information, goods, or services mentioned on this page. If you have any concerns, please email [email protected] or refer to our Terms & Conditions
