Frequently Asked Questions
How does Unified Payment Interface (UPI) work for NRIs?
UPI enables ICICI Bank Account Holders to send and receive money from their smartphones with a single identifier i.e. Virtual Payment Address (VPA), using their registered Indian or overseas mobile number from select geographies, i.e. Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK and USA.
UPI can be used for transactions in Indian Rupees (INR) for:
- Sending money/ making payments to Indian merchants or UPI/ VPA IDs
- Scanning any UPI QR code to send money
- Sending money to any Indian mobile number (if the mobile number is enabled for UPI)
- Sending money to an Indian bank account.
Can NRIs use UPI for transactions in India using their overseas mobile number?
Yes, NRIs can use UPI from their registered overseas mobile number from the approved geographies, i.e. Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK and USA for INR transactions in India.
How can an NRI set up a UPI/ VPA ID?
NRIs can set up a UPI/ VPA ID using their ICICI Bank registered Indian mobile number or overseas mobile number from the approved geographies, i.e. Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK and USA.
ICICI Bank NRI customers can register themselves for UPI by following these steps:
Log in to iMobile Pay application > UPI Payments > Verify Mobile Number > SMS Based Verification > Manage > My Profile > Create UPI ID and Select bank account (NRE/NRO) > Success.
Are there any transaction limits for NRIs using UPI?
According to National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) guidelines, the per day UPI transaction limit is set at INR 1 lakh (INR 1,00,000) cumulative transaction value or a maximum of 20 transactions.
The UPI transaction limit per day has been defined by each bank in the UPI network and varies from bank to bank. ICICI Bank’s transaction limit for UPI is INR 1,00,000 per day.
However, in the case of a new UPI/VPA ID registration, the limit is INR 5,000 for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, the limit is reset to INR 1,00,000.
How secure is it for NRIs to use UPI for transactions?
As various security processes are incorporated into the UPI payment ecosystem, NRIs can securely use UPI for their INR transactions.
The UPI/ VPA ID is a unique identifier of a customer’s identity. The UPI PIN is set up by the customer and must be kept confidential at all times.
To process a transaction through UPI, entering the UPI PIN is mandatory, which is either a 4-digit or 6-digit PIN set up by the customer to authenticate transactions.
As and when a customer registers for UPI, his/her mobile number is verified through SMS authentication. The application then automatically links the customer’s UPI Account to his/her registered mobile number.
In the instance that a customer’s mobile phone gets stolen/lost, the customer can block his/her mobile number as a precaution against identity theft by calling Customer Care of their telecommunication service provider.
What are the UPI charges applicable for NRIs?
Currently, there are no charges for using UPI applicable for NRIs. However, this is subject to change as per NPCI guidelines.
Can NRIs link multiple bank accounts to a single UPI/ VPA ID?
No, an NRI cannot link multiple bank accounts to a single UPI/ VPA ID.
Why is my UPI transaction failing?
There are various reasons for a UPI transaction failure, including but not limited to:
- Maintenance and system related upgradation, leading to downtime of Remitter bank’s system or Beneficiary bank’s system or the NPCI system
- Incorrect UPI PIN
- Incorrect Beneficiary UPI/ VPA ID
- Beneficiary does not have an active UPI/ VPA ID linked with any account.
My UPI transaction has failed. Why has my bank account been debited for the failed transaction amount?
In case of failed UPI transactions, the money (if debited) will be credited back to the Remitter’s account instantly. In case of timed-out transactions, the amount will be settled within 2 working days.
For more details, you may contact our 24x7 Customer Care.Click hereto know the Customer Care numbers.
During the call with our Customer Care, please share the following details:
- Transaction ID
- Your VPA ID
- Beneficiary VPA ID (in case of payment request) or Remitter VPA ID (in case of collection request)
- Date and time of transaction.
Can NRIs carry out UPI transactions while located outside of India?
Yes, NRIs can carry out the following UPI transactions from outside India:
- Sending money/ making payments to Indian merchants or UPI/ VPA IDs
- Scanning any Indian QR code to send money to the QR code/ associated VPA
- Sending money to any Indian mobile number (if the mobile number is enabled for UPI)
- Sending money to an Indian bank account.
Can NRIs use UPI for transactions in India?
Yes, NRIs can use UPI for transactions in India. NRIs can generate a UPI/ VPA ID on ICICI Bank iMobile Pay application by using their ICICI Bank registered Indian mobile number or overseas mobile number from approved geographies, i.e. Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK and USA.
Can NRIs carry out UPI transactions from NRO Account to NRE Account?
No, UPI transactions from NRO Account to NRE Account are not permitted.
The listsof permissible transactions are:
- NRE to NRE Account
- NRE to NRO Account
- NRE to Resident Account
- NRO to NRO Account
NRO to Resident Account.
How can NRIs carry out UPI transactions?
NRIs can carry out UPI payments using ICICI Bank iMobile Pay application:
- Send Money/ Pay Indian merchants or UPI/ VPA IDs
Steps:iMobile Pay login > UPI Payments > Send > to UPI number / VPA ID > Pre confirmation > Enter PIN > Success - Scan any Indian QR code
Steps: iMobile Pay login > UPI Payments > Scan any QR > Enter amount > Confirm to Pay > Enter PIN > Success - Send money to contacts (Only Indian numbers are allowed as Beneficiary details)
Steps: iMobile Pay login > UPI Payments > Pay to Mobile or UPI Number > Type/select any mobile number or UPI number > Pre confirmation > Enter PIN > Success - Send Money to Account
Steps:iMobile Pay login > UPI Payments > Send > to Account > Enter details of Beneficiary > Pre confirmation > Enter PIN > Success
Can NRIs initiate UPI transactions in foreign currency?
No, currently UPI transactions are allowed in Indian Rupee (INR) only.
How long does it take for the funds to get credited into the Beneficiary’s account?
For successful UPI transactions, the funds get credited into the Beneficiary’s account instantaneously.
Can I cancel a UPI transaction?
No, all transactions carried out through UPI are instantaneous and cannot be cancelled or reversed once the correct UPI authorisation PIN has been entered. Please check the pre-confirmation screen/option thoroughly prior to authorising any UPI transaction.
Does the Account Holder have to be registered on UPI to receive these payments?
No, in case an Account Holder is not registered on UPI, they can still receive money through UPI. You can use the option ‘Send > to Account’ and then enter the bank account details of the Beneficiary.
Can a customer of ICICI Bank link an ICICI Bank NRE / NRO Account with an international registered number to any third party UPI application?
It depends on the particular third party UPI application provider.
Is a customer required to activate international roaming on his/her overseas mobile number while visiting India to make UPI payments?
No, in order to process UPI transactions, a customer is not required to activate an international roaming facility. The ICICI Bank iMobile Pay application is functional on Wi-Fi, through which an NRI can initiate and process UPI payments. However, if the NRI customer changes his/her overseas SIM to an Indian SIM upon arrival in India and in case customer had previously enabled UPI using his/her international number, then the application will ask the customer to create a new UPI ID using his/her Indian mobile number.
Can NRIs use UPI for direct bank account transfer?
Yes, an NRI can directly transfer money to a beneficiary account using UPI by following the process below.
Send Money to Account
Steps:iMobile Pay login > UPI Payments > Send > to Account > Enter beneficiary account details (Account number, IFSC code) > Pre confirmation > Enter PIN > Success
Can NRIs carry out UPI transactions, if the beneficiary is not registered on UPI?
Yes, any customer registered on UPI can make payment to the beneficiary’s account, even if the beneficiary is not registered on UPI. This feature works as below:
Steps:iMobile Pay login >UPI Payments > Send > to Account >Enter beneficiary account details (Account number, IFSC code) > Pre confirmation > Enter PIN > Success
If a customer is making payment towards education and medical purposes, what is the UPI transfer limit?
As per NPCI, if a customer is making a payment towards educational or medical service that is verified/ registered with NPCI, then the UPI transfer limit is up to INR 5 lakh (INR 5,00,000.00).
In the case of jointly held accounts, can an NRI generate UPI/ VPA ID with multiple devices?
No, in such a case, only the Primary Account Holder can generate a single UPI/ VPA ID at a time on his/her ICICI Bank iMobile Pay application.
While travelling to India or to any other country, does an NRI need to re-register for UPI with their local mobile number?
No. Upon registration, an NRI can carry out UPI transactions using the same device and UPI/ VPA ID, through the linked mobile number.
NRIs can easily make UPI payments using WI-FI in case of cellular network issues when international roaming is inactive.
I have 2 Accounts with ICICI Bank (NRE/NRO). Will I have a separate VPA for each of these Accounts?
Yes, you can create separate VPA/UPI IDs for each Account.
What is the advantage of UPI fund transfer over other fund transfer mechanisms?
The service provided under UPI is instant and available 24x7, even on public/bank holidays. Customers can transfer funds in simple steps by providing the UPI/VPA ID of the Beneficiary. Also, there is no pre–registration required for any Beneficiary.
Can I link my NRE/NRO Accounts to Pockets under UPI?
No, NRIs are not eligible to use the Pockets application currently for UPI transactions.
How will I know if my UPI transaction is successful?
For any transaction, you will see a status instantly on your screen. If for some reason, the transaction is delayed or pending, the result will be posted on your transaction history page along with a UTR number or bank reference number. Additionally, you will also receive an SMS/e-mail from your bank.
What are the timings for initiating and receiving UPI transactions?
UPI services are available 24 hours of the day, all days of the week, throughout the year. There are no holiday restrictions on UPI transactions.
Why cannot I see any UPI/ VPA ID after selecting the contact?
Currently, a payment can only be made to contacts having a valid Indian mobile number, and that too can be made only if the respective contact has a valid UPI/ VPA ID linked to a bank account. Please check with your contact if they have a valid UPI/ VPA ID linked with a bank account.
Alternatively, you can directly send money to their India bank account using UPI Send > To Account.
While sending money to a contact, the Account Holder Name and UPI/ VPA ID are different. Are they the same person?
When you enter a contact, the Account Holder’s name (as mentioned in the bank’s system) will be displayed. This is for the customer to cross-check that the beneficiary and the bank account to which the customer wants to send money belong to the same person. In case of any discrepancy, please re-confirm the VPA ID of the beneficiary. Money once sent through iMobile Pay cannot be reversed.
I am not able to send money via UPI using ‘pay to contacts’.
Currently, payment to a contact is only available to Indian numbers and that too can be made only if the contact has a valid UPI/VPA ID associated with an Indian bank account.
Are ‘Collect Payment’ and ‘UPI mandate’ functionality available for NRIs using International numbers?
No, ‘Collect Payment’ and ‘UPI Mandate’ functionality are not available for NRIs using international mobile numbers.
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