From Pashupatinath to the supermarket: Indian visitors can now pay with UPI across Nepal
Indian tourists can scan and pay with UPI at more than two million Fonepay merchants. A second phase would let Nepalis pay by QR in India too.
Carrying a thick wad of rupee notes used to be part of every Indian visitor’s trip to Nepal. That is quickly becoming optional.
What changed
Indian tourists can now pay with UPI at more than two million Fonepay merchants across Nepal. The Kathmandu Post found it working everywhere from offerings at Pashupatinath to supermarket tills at Bhat-Bhateni and the cable car at Chandragiri. You simply scan the Fonepay QR code with a UPI app, the same way you would at home.
And the other way?
A second phase is being prepared that would let Nepalis pay by QR at over six million merchants in India. That would make life much easier for students, pilgrims and anyone crossing the border for work or family. There is no confirmed start date yet, so we will update you on Nepal Live when it goes live.
Nepal’s QR network is also opening up to other countries. Since 29 May 2026, UnionPay cards and QR codes have been accepted on the Fonepay network, which helps visitors from China and other UnionPay markets.
Tips for shopkeepers and visitors
- Shopkeepers: you do not need a new machine. If you already display a Fonepay QR, UPI users can pay you.
- Visitors: keep a little cash for remote trekking villages and small bus stops where mobile data is patchy.
- Always check the amount and the merchant name on your screen before you confirm.
India is Nepal’s biggest source of tourists. In September alone, 17,425 Indian visitors arrived. Making payment as easy as a scan is a small change that can make a big difference to how long they stay and how much they spend.
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