UPI Payments Go Live in Cambodia

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments went live in Cambodia on 2 June 2026 and 3 June 2026 through integration with Cambodia’s national QR payment system, KHQR. The facility allows Indian tourists to scan KHQR codes with UPI-enabled applications at merchant locations in Cambodia.

UPI and KHQR Payment Systems

Unified Payments Interface is India’s real-time digital payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India. KHQR is Cambodia’s national QR code standard for merchant payments and is used across retail outlets, restaurants, and tourist sites.

Cross-Border Payment Corridor

The integration covers more than 4.5 million merchant locations in Cambodia. The arrangement is the first phase of a two-way interoperable payment corridor, and a later phase is planned to allow Cambodian users to make payments in India at UPI merchant locations through KHQR-enabled applications.

Institutional Framework

The cross-border facility was developed through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited, the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India, and ACLEDA Bank Plc. The formal launch took place in Phnom Penh and was attended by H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, along with representatives of the Reserve Bank of India.

Important Facts for Exams

• NPCI International Payments Limited is the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India.
• KHQR is Cambodia’s national QR payment ecosystem for merchant transactions.
• The collaboration between NIPL and ACLEDA Bank Plc was preceded by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025.
• The facility is designed for cross-border QR-based payments between India and Cambodia.

Related Exam Points

UPI is widely used in India for instant retail payments through mobile applications linked to bank accounts. Cambodia’s National Bank is the central bank of the country and regulates the domestic payment system.