Indian travellers planning holidays to Dubai and Singapore can now use India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to book tickets online for some of the two destinations’ most popular attractions. The new facility covers At the Top, Burj Khalifa in Dubai and attractions at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, including Universal Studios Singapore.
Announced by the Ministry of Finance on October 30, 2026, the development allows eligible customers to pay through their preferred UPI applications during online bookings instead of depending exclusively on international card payment options.
The initiative has been enabled through partnerships involving NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India, and payment partners in the UAE and Singapore.
For Indian tourists, the move adds convenience to the process of planning international holidays, particularly when purchasing attraction tickets before departure.
UPI Now Accepted for Burj Khalifa Online Bookings
In the United Arab Emirates, NIPL has partnered with NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment to introduce UPI payments for online bookings at At the Top, Burj Khalifa.
The observation deck attraction offers visitors views of Dubai’s skyline from one of the world’s most recognisable skyscrapers.
According to the Ministry of Finance, this is the first tourist attraction in the UAE to introduce UPI acceptance for e-commerce transactions.
The partnership between NIPL and the UAE was announced on July 29, 2026. Its implementation gives Indian visitors a familiar payment option when reserving their Burj Khalifa experience online.
Singapore Attractions Covered Under the New Facility
In Singapore, UPI acceptance has been introduced at Resorts World Sentosa through a partnership between NIPL and payment institution FOMO Pay. The arrangement covers online bookings for three major attractions:
Universal Studios Singapore: The theme park features themed zones, rides, entertainment and attractions inspired by popular films and television franchises.
Singapore Oceanarium: The marine attraction offers visitors an opportunity to explore underwater habitats and marine life through its exhibits and educational experiences.
Adventure Cove Waterpark: The water-based attraction combines slides, pools, aquatic experiences and recreational activities.
The partnership was announced on September 9, 2026. It follows Singapore’s continued importance as a destination for Indian tourists, with approximately 1.2 million Indian visitors recorded in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance.
How Indians Can Book Attraction Tickets Using UPI
The new payment option is available through the participating attractions’ online booking channels. Travellers can use the following general process:
- Visit the official website of the attraction or its authorised booking platform.
- Select the attraction, preferred visit date and ticket category.
- Choose the number of visitors and review the booking details.
- Proceed to checkout and select UPI, where it is offered.
- Complete the payment through the available UPI app or payment approval process.
- Retain the booking confirmation and ticket for entry.
For Burj Khalifa, visitors can book the At the Top experience through its official ticketing website. For Singapore attractions, bookings can be made through the Resorts World Sentosa website.
The availability of UPI should be checked at checkout. The new facility applies to the specified online booking arrangements and does not mean that every merchant or physical payment terminal in Dubai and Singapore accepts UPI.
UPI Is Now Accepted in 10 Countries
RuPay & UPI Global: Countries, Use Cases, Exam Facts | TrueJobs
The international expansion of UPI has gradually created more opportunities for Indian travellers to use familiar digital payment services abroad.
According to the Ministry of Finance, UPI is currently accepted in the following 10 countries:
| No. | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates |
| 3 | France |
| 4 | Mauritius |
| 5 | Nepal |
| 6 | Bhutan |
| 7 | Qatar |
| 8 | Sri Lanka |
| 9 | Cambodia |
| 10 | Greece |
The ministry also confirmed that Uzbekistan is expected to become the 11th country following a commercial agreement announced on August 30, 2026, during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit.
However, acceptance varies by participating merchant and payment arrangement. UPI being available in a country does not mean it can be used at every shop, restaurant, attraction or ticket counter there.
The Eiffel Tower Was an Earlier International UPI Milestone
The latest expansion follows an earlier initiative in France. UPI-based online ticket booking for the Eiffel Tower was introduced on January 26, 2024.
The initiative demonstrated how India’s digital payment infrastructure could be integrated into international tourism and ticketing services.
The newer partnerships in the UAE and Singapore take this development further by extending UPI acceptance to multiple attractions and online booking platforms.
What the Expansion Means for Indian Travellers
International travel often involves managing different currencies, payment methods and booking systems. Allowing visitors to use a familiar UPI application for selected overseas bookings can make the process more convenient.
For travel businesses and attraction operators, the integration also creates another payment option for Indian customers, an important visitor segment for destinations such as Dubai and Singapore.
The development reflects a wider shift towards digital payments in international tourism. As more countries and merchants explore cross-border payment partnerships, Indian travellers could see UPI becoming available across additional travel-related services.
For now, the latest facility is a targeted expansion rather than universal international acceptance. Its usefulness will depend on participating attractions, payment availability and the terms offered by the traveller’s UPI provider.
