Regulatory Steps Enable QR‑Code Payments for Indian Tourists in Nepal

In 2024, the central banks of Nepal and India signed a regulatory framework to connect Nepal’s National Payments Interface with India’s UPI. Since March 2024, Indian visitors can scan a Fonepay or Khalti QR code and pay directly from Indian payment apps.

The initiative has attracted tourists from China, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, who can also use the NepalPay QR system. NepalPay, developed by Nepal Clearing House Ltd under the central bank’s guidance, now serves as the national digital payment brand.

Despite the success, Nepali residents still cannot use QR codes to settle payments in India, highlighting a gap in the bi‑directional integration of the system.