#None #payment solutions #International Students #UnionPay

UnionPay International's Initiative for Global Students

UnionPay International (UPI), a leading provider of payment solutions worldwide, has recently launched a groundbreaking program aimed at facilitating smoother payment experiences for international students. This initiative comes in collaboration with various universities, tuition payment platforms, student accommodation providers, and local banks, offering a comprehensive, cross-border payment solution designed to simplify the management of tuition fees, daily purchases, and local card applications for students in 183 countries.

With the end of summer break approaching, international students and their families are gearing up for the new academic year. The demand for cross-border payment solutions has surged, with tuition payment volumes rising by 17% in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year. Responding to this need, UPI is pooling resources to deliver cost-effective and seamless payment services for international students. By partnering with international payment platforms such as Flywire, EasyTransfer, Convera (formerly Western Union), and PayMyTuition, UPI is expanding access to their payment solutions, thus aiding students with tuition payments, campus expenses, and other essential costs.

International students can also take advantage of various discounts at retailers, restaurants, transportation services, airlines, hotel bookings, and online grocery delivery services when they use UnionPay's products. UPI's collaborations with international payment platforms open doors for students at thousands of educational institutions globally to effortlessly make payments and avail of real-time currency exchange rates.

Local banks have joined forces with UPI to issue UnionPay cards in key target markets for international students, notably in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, and Canada. This arrangement allows students to complete their card applications locally and initiate usage upon arrival. In the UK, UnionPay payments are accepted by numerous student accommodation providers, including Unite Students and Chapter Living. Moreover, popular student accommodation brands in Australia, such as Scape, Iglu, and UniLodge, are activating UnionPay's online payment systems, further broadening the options available to international students.

UnionPay's global acceptance in 183 countries and regions enables international students to utilize secure and convenient payment options, easing their integration into local environments. In Hong Kong and Macau, virtually all ATMs and merchants accept UnionPay, including the MTR's Tap-and-Go system, Octopus recharges via Apple Pay, and renowned food spots like Lan Kwai Fong. Students can effortlessly transact in cafés, supermarkets, and restaurants near universities like HKUST and HKU. Singaporean universities and private schools, such as NUS, JCU, and NAFA, support UnionPay for online tuition fee payments, with almost all ATMs and 80% of merchants in the country backing the card for dining, shopping, and travel.

Across Europe and the UK, UnionPay is widely accepted at most ATMs, department stores, cafés, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Renowned institutions, including the University of Portsmouth, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Sussex, and Imperial College London, have integrated UnionPay payment options for tuition fees on their respective websites and through platforms like Flywire and Convera. In Canada, more than 500,000 retail outlets, including popular chains like IKEA, Dollarama, Tim Hortons, and Starbucks, accept UnionPay payments. Australian universities, including the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, Monash, and the University of Queensland, offer UnionPay payment solutions for both online and in-store transactions. Similarly, New Zealand institutions like the University of Auckland and Victoria University embrace UnionPay across their campuses in shops, libraries, and cafés.

With the rising number of students studying abroad, UnionPay is capitalizing on its expansive payment network to enhance the security and ease of cross-border transactions while keeping costs low. This approach not only provides international banks and merchants with a reliable customer base of students but also spurs growth in local consumer markets. UPI looks forward to forging new partnerships that will contribute to creating a safer and more convenient payment ecosystem for international students.