UPI Payments Extended for Online Bookings at Burj Khalifa and Singapore Attractions

Indian tourists can now use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to book tickets online for Dubai's Burj Khalifa and major attractions in Singapore, including Universal Studios Singapore, the Singapore Oceanarium, and Adventure Cove Waterpark.

According to a statement released by the Finance Ministry on Friday, the initiative aims to make international travel bookings easier for Indian travelers by allowing them to use their preferred UPI applications for online payments at these destinations.

NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), entered into strategic partnerships with the UAE and Singapore on July 29 and September 9, respectively, to facilitate these UPI-based online bookings.

In the UAE, UPI acceptance has been enabled for 'At the Top, Burj Khalifa' in partnership with NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment. This marks the first attraction in the UAE to implement UPI for e-commerce transactions, the statement noted.

In Singapore, UPI acceptance has been extended to Resorts World Sentosa in collaboration with FOMO Pay, a local payment institution. This integration covers bookings for key attractions within the resort.

The move responds to a growing demand for convenient and secure cross-border payment options. Official data cited in the statement noted that Singapore welcomed 1.2 million Indian visitors in 2025.

The Finance Ministry stated that the initiative strengthens India's digital and economic links with the UAE and Singapore while promoting international partnerships in digital innovation and cross-border commerce.

This development follows earlier expansions of India's payment infrastructure abroad. UPI-based ticket booking for the Eiffel Tower in France was previously launched on January 26, 2024.

Currently, UPI is accepted in 10 countries: Singapore, the UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Greece. Additionally, Uzbekistan is set to become the 11th country to accept UPI following a commercial agreement announced on August 30, 2026, during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country.

"The global expansion of UPI into major international tourism hubs like the Burj Khalifa and Resorts World Sentosa highlights the growing maturity and acceptance of India's digital payment infrastructure. By streamlining cross-border transactions through strategic partnerships, NIPL is removing friction for Indian travelers while showcasing Indian technological innovation on the global stage. This move not only benefits tourism and e-commerce but also sets a strong precedent for bilateral digital trade integration." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes