Launch of India-Cambodia Cross-Border QR Payment: Indians Can Now Scan KHQR

• Official Launch. On June 2, 2026 at Rosewood Phnom Penh, chaired by the Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia and a representative of the Reserve Bank of India.
• Phase 1 Operational. Indian travelers can now pay by scanning KHQR codes at Cambodian merchants using their UPI apps.
• Key Partnership. ACLEDA Bank Plc. and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) collaborate for this interoperability.
• Objective. Boost tourism and trade between the two countries, in line with the ASEAN vision of a digital economy.
• Future Expansion. A Phase 2 would allow Cambodians to pay in India via KHQR.

The cross-border QR payment project between Cambodia and India is part of a broader strategy for regional financial connectivity. Here are the key steps.

1. 2020: ACLEDA Bank launches the first cross-border QR payment services, enabling instant transactions in the ASEAN region and several partner countries.
2. 2024-2025: Negotiations between the National Bank of Cambodia and the Reserve Bank of India to establish a bilateral QR payment corridor.
3. Early 2026: Technical testing and integration of KHQR and UPI systems by ACLEDA Bank and NPCI International.
4. June 2, 2026: Official launch ceremony of Phase 1 at Rosewood Phnom Penh, attended by central bank governors.
5. From June 2, 2026: Immediate activation: Indians can scan KHQR codes at participating merchants in Cambodia.
6. Next Steps: Phase 2 planned to allow Cambodians to pay in India via KHQR, strengthening the bilateral digital corridor.

The launch mainly concerns Indian travelers and Cambodian merchants. Here are the impacted segments.

• Simplified payments for Indian expats. Indian residents in Siem Reap can use their UPI apps at KHQR merchants, avoiding manual exchange.
• More Indian customers for local businesses. Restaurants, hotels, and shops in Siem Reap can attract more Indian tourists thanks to this payment method.
• Reduced transaction fees. Money transfers between India and Cambodia become cheaper and faster for expats.
• Better financial integration. Non-Indian expats may also indirectly benefit from the future expansion of the system to other countries.
• Boost to Indian tourism. Siem Reap, a popular destination for Indians, will likely see an increase in visitors due to payment convenience.

1. Check that your UPI app is compatible. Ensure your Indian payment app supports international transactions and KHQR codes.
2. Use secure networks. Avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi for payments. Prefer mobile data or a trusted VPN.
3. Enable transaction notifications. Set up real-time alerts for each payment to detect any fraudulent activity.
4. Keep your receipts. Maintain a record of each QR transaction in case of a dispute with a merchant.
5. Report any anomaly immediately. In case of unauthorized debit, contact your bank in India and ACLEDA Bank in Cambodia without delay.
6. Update your apps. Ensure your UPI app and ACLEDA app (if used) are up to date to benefit from the latest security patches.
7. Know your transaction limits. Check daily payment caps to avoid blocks.