RBI allows banks to issue RuPay prepaid forex cards

• These cards can be used at ATMs, point of sale (PoS) machines, and online merchants overseas.
  
• Additionally, RuPay Debit, credit, and prepaid cards will be authorised for issuance in foreign jurisdictions.
  
• RBI’s goalposts for Payment Vision 2025 has already outlined a roadmap for the global outreach of RTGS, NEFT, UPI, and RuPay cards.
  

In a bid to provide more payment options for Indians travellers abroad, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to allow Indian banks to issue RuPay prepaid forex cards. These cards can be used at ATMs, point of sale (PoS) machines, and online merchants overseas.

“... Further, RuPay debit, credit, and prepaid cards will be enabled for issuance in foreign jurisdictions, which can be used internationally, including in India. These measures will expand the reach and acceptance of RuPay cards globally. Necessary instructions will be issued separately,” read the RBI’s statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, issued on June 8.

Says Rajsri Rengan, India Head of Development, Banking and Payments, at FIS, a fintech company, “The permission granted to banks for issuing RuPay pre-paid forex cards opens up new avenues for seamless and flexible cross-border transactions. This development brings forth enhanced convenience and efficiency for individuals and businesses engaged in international trade.”

RuPay, as the first domestic card payment network in India, has achieved wide acceptance across various channels such as ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) devices, and e-commerce websites throughout the country.

By promoting electronic payments, RuPay aligns with the Reserve Bank of India's goal of fostering a "less cash" economy, encouraging banks and financial institutions to embrace technology and offer digital payment solutions.RuPay credit cards can now be linked to a UPI ID, thus directly enabling safe, and secure payment transactions.

According to a report by merchant platform Pine Labs, it is projected that transaction volumes on the RuPay network will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% over the next three years. By the fiscal year 2025-26 (April-March), transaction volumes are anticipated to reach 3.2 billion, a significant increase from the 1.8 billion transactions recorded in 2022-23.

RBI’s goalposts for Payment Vision 2025 has already outlined a roadmap for the global outreach of RTGS, NEFT, UPI, and RuPay cards. Recently UPI has been integrated with Singapore’s PayNow, and Japan is expected to join the UPI system as well. UPI is also expected to be adapted by other countries as well.