UnionPay International Launches Comprehensive Payment Program for International Students

In an aim to support the growing number of international students, UnionPay International (UPI), a leading global provider of payment solutions, has unveiled a new program tailored specifically for foreign students. The initiative is set to facilitate smoother transactions for tuition payments, daily purchases, and local banking services, ensuring that students have a safe and efficient way to manage their finances. This exciting development follows a significant 17% year-on-year increase in tuition payment transactions in the first half of 2025 and comes at a time when students are gearing up for the new academic year.

The program is designed in collaboration with various educational institutions, payment platforms, property managers, and local banking organizations. By integrating these resources, UPI is catering to the rising demand for cross-border payment solutions. This comprehensive international payment system is now more accessible than ever, thanks to partnerships with major global payment platforms such as Flywire, EasyTransfer, Convera (previously known as Western Union), and PayMyTuition, all of which serve thousands of educational organizations worldwide.

Students utilizing UnionPay products gain access to a wide range of discounts and special offers in retail stores, restaurants, transportation, airlines, hotels, and online food delivery services across multiple countries. UPI has worked alongside local banks to ensure the issuance of UnionPay cards in key cities with high concentrations of international students, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, and Canada. This allows students to apply for and use their cards conveniently upon arrival. Additionally, international property management companies like Greystar have joined the network to accept UnionPay cards, further easing students' financial transactions.

UnionPay cards are accepted in 183 countries and regions, which immensely benefits international students by providing accessible and secure payment options, aiding their integration into local communities. In Hong Kong and Macau, virtually all ATMs and retail locations accept UnionPay cards, offering seamless payment experiences in popular places like restaurants and universities.

Additionally, universities across Singapore, including NUS, JCU, and NAFA, facilitate tuition payments online through UnionPay, matching the efficiency seen in Hong Kong. In major European cities and the UK, UnionPay cards are widely welcomed in ATMs, department stores, cafes, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Notable educational institutions such as the University of Portsmouth, Edinburgh, Sussex, and Imperial College London also adopt UnionPay as a tuition payment method via their websites and payment platforms.

In Canada, over 500,000 vendors have integrated UnionPay, including notable names like TT Supermarket, IKEA, Dollarama, Tim Hortons, and Starbucks, making it a convenient payment choice. Furthermore, universities in Australia, such as the University of Melbourne, Sydney, Monash, and Queensland, now recognize UnionPay for both internet and point-of-sale transactions. In New Zealand, universities and language schools are incorporating UnionPay for transactions across their campuses, including shops, libraries, and cafes.

Given the increasing global footprint of international students, UnionPay is leveraging its extensive payment network to enhance security and reduce the costs associated with cross-border transactions. This strategic move not only helps students but also establishes a reliable customer base of international learners for banks and merchants, bringing growth to local consumer markets. UPI remains open to partnering with new entities to enhance the safety and convenience of payment environments for international students, reinforcing its commitment to global education and connectivity.