New UPI charges from October 15: What UAE NRIs need to know before paying
Dubai: UAE-based Indians will continue using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) without paying transaction fees when India’s new Merchant Discount Rate takes effect on October 15, 2026. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here. The new charge applies to eligible merchants accepting UPI payments above Rs2,000. It does not apply to the customer making…
Merchants accepting UPI payments above Rs2,000 will now pay a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) from October 15, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates. The MDR is a charge applied to merchants and does not impact customers. This change affects UAE-based Indians making UPI payments in India for purchases, bill payments, investment transfers, or money sending.
Person-to-person transfers to relatives remain free from MDR. The MDR is capped at Rs300 when payments exceed Rs75,000, and merchants cannot pass this cost onto buyers. UPI app providers cannot impose additional platform fees on customers.
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