Cross-border QR payments from Singapore now work across Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia through different national QR rails. In Malaysia, Singapore users scan DuitNow QR. In Thailand, they scan PromptPay QR. In Indonesia, they scan QRIS, the country’s national QR standard. Singapore–Indonesia QR connectivity has been live since 17 November 2023 through the QRIS–NETS QR linkage. These merchant-payment routes should be kept separate from mobile-number transfer services such as PayNow–PromptPay and PayNow–DuitNow.
Malaysia: DuitNow QR
Thailand: PromptPay QR
Indonesia: QRIS
NETS QR ↔ DuitNow QR
NETS QR ↔ PromptPay QR
NETS QR ↔ QRIS
Confirm merchant name, local amount, FX rate and SGD deduction before authorising
How Cross-Border QR Payments Work from Singapore
A Singapore user normally opens a supported bank app or wallet, taps the scan function, scans the merchant’s overseas QR code and reviews the converted Singapore-dollar amount before approval. In Malaysia, the foreign QR code is usually branded as DuitNow QR. In Thailand, it is PromptPay QR. In Indonesia, look for the QRIS acceptance mark.
The user does not need to open a Malaysian, Thai or Indonesian bank account for a supported merchant QR payment. The Singapore app handles the payment request and currency conversion, then deducts the SGD equivalent from the linked account or wallet. For local Singapore transfers, the domestic reference point is PayNow setup in Singapore, but overseas QR merchant payments should not be treated as ordinary PayNow transfers.
Merchant QR and cross-border transfer are different payment flows. DuitNow QR, PromptPay QR and QRIS are used here to pay participating merchants. PayNow–PromptPay and PayNow–DuitNow use recipient identifiers for cross-border transfers. They can appear inside the same banking app without using the same payment route or limit.
Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia QR Payment Comparison
The three corridors follow a similar scan-and-confirm process, but app support, QR type and transaction limits are not identical. Limits shown by a bank apply to that bank’s app rather than automatically becoming a network-wide cap.
| Country | Rail | Supported Singapore Apps | Merchant QR | Published Limit Examples | FX Display | Fallback | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | NETS QR ↔ DuitNow QR | DBS PayLah!, OCBC app, UOB TMRW and Maybank2u SG | Compatible business DuitNow QR | OCBC: up to S$1,000 per day for DuitNow QR. UOB: separate S$1,000 daily overseas QR limit for Malaysia. Other apps use their own account, wallet or Scan & Pay limits. | Supported apps show the MYR amount and SGD conversion before confirmation. DBS PayLah! states that its conversion includes a 2% markup; Maybank publishes the exchange rate before payment. | Debit or credit card, cash or another Singapore app that supports the merchant’s DuitNow QR | BNM linkage notice |
| Thailand | NETS QR ↔ PromptPay QR | DBS PayLah!, OCBC app and UOB TMRW | Compatible merchant PromptPay QR; personal PromptPay QR may not be accepted for the cross-border merchant route | OCBC: S$1,000 per day combined across PromptPay QR and PayNow–PromptPay. UOB: separate S$1,000 daily overseas QR limit for Thailand. DBS PayLah! remains subject to its applicable wallet and transaction limits. | The supported app shows the THB amount, exchange rate and SGD equivalent before confirmation. DBS PayLah! states that its conversion includes a 2% markup. | Card, cash or another supported Singapore app; do not convert a failed merchant QR into a person-to-person transfer unless the recipient details are clear | Bank of Thailand payment linkages |
| Indonesia | NETS QR ↔ QRIS | DBS PayLah!, OCBC app and UOB TMRW | Business QRIS QR displaying the QRIS acceptance mark; personal QRIS codes may not work with the cross-border merchant route | OCBC: up to S$1,000 per day for QRIS QR. UOB: separate S$1,000 daily overseas QR limit for Indonesia, with a minimum payment of IDR1,000. DBS PayLah! remains subject to its applicable wallet and transaction limits. | The app shows the IDR amount, exchange rate and SGD equivalent before confirmation. DBS PayLah! states that its conversion includes a 2% markup. | Card, cash or another supported Singapore app; ask for a business QRIS QR if a personal QR code is rejected | BI–MAS QRIS linkage notice |
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NETS currently lists DBS PayLah!, OCBC and UOB TMRW for PromptPay and QRIS overseas QR payments. Maybank2u SG is also listed for DuitNow QR payments in Malaysia. Bank participation and merchant acceptance can expand or change, so check the current app before relying on one payment method during travel.
Paying by QR in Malaysia from Singapore
Singapore–Malaysia merchant QR payments are based on the NETS QR and DuitNow QR linkage launched in March 2023. A Singapore traveller scans a participating Malaysian merchant’s DuitNow QR with a supported Singapore app and reviews the MYR amount and SGD conversion before authorising.
Malaysia Rail and Merchant QR
Rail: NETS QR ↔ DuitNow QR.
Look for a business DuitNow QR acceptance mark. Static merchant QRs may require the amount to be entered manually, while terminal or kiosk-generated dynamic QRs can contain the amount already.
Malaysia Apps and Limits
Current Singapore options include DBS PayLah!, OCBC app, UOB TMRW and Maybank2u SG. OCBC publishes a S$1,000 daily DuitNow QR limit. UOB publishes a separate S$1,000 daily overseas QR limit for Malaysia and a minimum payment of MYR1.
Malaysia FX Display and Fallback
Review the MYR amount, exchange rate and SGD amount before approval. If the merchant QR is unsupported, use another supported app, a card or cash. Maybank2u SG also supports direct DuitNow QR payments from eligible Maybank Singapore accounts.
This route is useful for small retail purchases where the merchant already displays DuitNow QR, but it should not fully replace cash or a card backup. A QR can still fail if it belongs to an unsupported acquirer, is a personal QR or is not enabled for the Singapore linkage.
Paying by QR in Thailand from Singapore
Thailand’s cross-border merchant route connects NETS QR with PromptPay QR. This is separate from the PayNow–PromptPay linkage used to send money to a recipient’s registered Thai mobile number.
Thailand Rail and Merchant QR
Rail: NETS QR ↔ PromptPay QR.
Look for the PromptPay acceptance mark at a participating merchant. The cross-border merchant route works with eligible business QRs; a personal PromptPay QR may be rejected.
Thailand Apps and Limits
Current Singapore options include DBS PayLah!, OCBC app and UOB TMRW. OCBC publishes a S$1,000 daily combined limit across PromptPay QR and PayNow–PromptPay. UOB publishes a separate S$1,000 daily overseas QR limit for Thailand and a THB1 minimum QR payment.
Thailand FX Display and Fallback
Check the THB amount, exchange rate and SGD deduction before approval. If a merchant QR cannot be recognised, use another supported app, a card or cash rather than assuming a mobile-number transfer is an equivalent merchant payment.
Thailand QR warning: some Thai QR codes are personal PromptPay codes rather than merchant acceptance points. If the Singapore app rejects the QR, do not manually send funds to a different recipient unless the merchant clearly identifies the payment route and the displayed recipient details are correct.
Paying by QR in Indonesia from Singapore
The Singapore–Indonesia cross-border QR linkage went live on 17 November 2023. It connects Indonesia’s QRIS national QR standard with Singapore’s NETS QR infrastructure, allowing participating Singapore customers to pay Indonesian merchants from their existing mobile banking or payment apps.
Indonesia Rail and Merchant QR
Rail: NETS QR ↔ QRIS.
Look for the QRIS acceptance mark and use a merchant or business QRIS code. OCBC states that personal QRIS QR codes are not supported by its cross-border merchant-payment feature.
Indonesia Apps and Limits
Current Singapore options include DBS PayLah!, OCBC app and UOB TMRW. OCBC publishes a fixed S$1,000 daily QRIS QR limit. UOB publishes a separate S$1,000 daily overseas QR limit for Indonesia and a minimum transaction amount of IDR1,000.
Indonesia FX Display and Fallback
Review the IDR amount, exchange rate and SGD equivalent before payment. If a QRIS code is rejected, ask whether the merchant has a business QRIS QR, try another supported Singapore app, or use a card or cash.
At launch in November 2023, OCBC and UOB were the participating Singapore institutions for the QRIS linkage, with DBS stated as joining later. DBS PayLah! now publishes live QRIS Scan to Pay support for Indonesia.
Typical Payment Steps in a Singapore App
The exact menu name differs by bank, but the user journey is usually similar. The confirmation screen matters more than the QR label alone.
Open the Supported App
Use a Singapore bank app or payment app that supports the destination. Current examples include DBS PayLah!, OCBC app and UOB TMRW across Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, with Maybank2u SG also supporting DuitNow QR in Malaysia.
Scan the Merchant QR
Scan DuitNow QR in Malaysia, PromptPay QR in Thailand or QRIS in Indonesia. Avoid using a personal QR when the cross-border feature requires a merchant or business QR.
Review the Confirmation Screen
Check merchant name, foreign-currency amount, exchange rate, SGD amount and any fee or currency-conversion charge shown by the app.
Authorise Only If Details Match
Use the app’s normal authentication. If the merchant name or amount looks wrong, cancel and ask for a fresh merchant QR or another payment method.
Save the In-App Receipt
Show the confirmation to the merchant if asked. Keep the receipt until the merchant confirms payment and the transaction appears correctly in your account activity.
Fees, FX Rates and Account Deduction
Cross-border QR payments usually deduct Singapore dollars from the user’s Singapore account or wallet while the merchant receives local currency through the destination payment network. The exchange rate and final SGD amount should be visible before payment. The exact conversion terms depend on the app.
| App | FX / Fee Treatment | What the User Sees |
|---|---|---|
| DBS PayLah! | DBS states that currency conversion uses the applicable exchange rate plus a 2% markup; there is no separate service fee beyond the conversion treatment. | Foreign-currency amount, current exchange rate and converted SGD amount before confirmation |
| OCBC app | OCBC states that its DuitNow QR, PromptPay QR and QRIS services do not charge a separate administration or transaction fee. | Exchange rate and SGD equivalent before payment |
| UOB TMRW | UOB states that no transaction or administration fee applies to the overseas QR service, apart from the foreign-currency conversion. | Indicative exchange rate, local-currency payment amount and equivalent SGD amount |
| Maybank2u SG | For Malaysia Scan & Pay, Maybank publishes S$0 transaction fees and an exchange rate shown at payment. | MYR payment details and SGD conversion before confirmation |
For frequent travel, cross-border QR can sit beside cash, cards and multi-currency accounts. It is not automatically cheaper than every alternative. A credit card may offer rewards but can include foreign transaction costs. A QR payment can avoid card-network payment steps, but the conversion rate still affects the final cost.
| Payment Option | Where It Fits | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-border QR | Retail payments at participating merchants in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia | QR type, app support, FX rate, SGD amount, merchant name and applicable daily limit |
| Debit or credit card | Hotels, larger retailers, deposits and online bookings | Foreign transaction fee, dynamic currency conversion and rewards treatment |
| Cash | Small stalls, transport gaps, tips and backup spending | Exchange spread, remaining cash and safety of carrying larger amounts |
| Bank transfer | Transfers to a known person or account | Transfer rail, recipient details, limit, fees and FX treatment; do not treat it as a merchant QR payment |
Supported Apps and Country Differences
App coverage differs by corridor. NETS currently identifies DBS PayLah!, OCBC and UOB TMRW for PromptPay QR and QRIS QR payments, while Malaysia’s DuitNow route also includes Maybank2u SG. Support can change, so check the destination feature before travel rather than assuming that every Singapore QR app works in every country.
DBS PayLah! Check
DBS PayLah! currently supports DuitNow QR in Malaysia, PromptPay QR in Thailand and QRIS in Indonesia. The app displays the foreign amount, exchange rate and converted SGD amount before payment.
OCBC App Check
OCBC publishes dedicated support for DuitNow QR, PromptPay QR and QRIS. The bank states a S$1,000 daily limit for DuitNow QR and QRIS; PromptPay QR shares a S$1,000 daily limit with PayNow–PromptPay transfers.
UOB TMRW Check
UOB TMRW supports overseas QR payments in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. UOB publishes a separate daily maximum of S$1,000 for each participating country.
Maybank2u SG Check
Maybank2u SG supports Scan & Pay at participating DuitNow QR merchants in Malaysia. Do not assume the same Maybank Singapore Scan & Pay route applies to PromptPay or QRIS unless Maybank adds those destinations to its current Singapore product information.
What Singapore Merchants Should Know
Cross-border QR also works in the inbound direction. NETS states that participating Singapore NETS QR merchants can accept supported Malaysian digital payment apps, Thai bank apps and Indonesian digital payment apps. The customer scans the Singapore merchant’s NETS QR through the participating overseas app.
Inbound QR Acceptance
Malaysian visitors can use supported DuitNow-linked apps, Thai visitors can use participating PromptPay bank apps, and Indonesian visitors can use participating Indonesian payment apps at eligible NETS QR merchants in Singapore.
Merchant Setup Check
Merchants should verify the current NETS merchant setup, settlement treatment and transaction fees directly with NETS or their acquiring provider. Acceptance can differ by merchant configuration.
QR Payments vs Cross-Border Transfers
Merchant QR payments and person-to-person transfers should remain separate in both terminology and limit comparisons. A traveller scanning DuitNow QR, PromptPay QR or QRIS at a shop is making a merchant payment. Entering a recipient’s registered mobile number through a cross-border transfer feature is a different transaction.
For Thailand, the PayNow–PromptPay linkage supports transfers to a PromptPay-registered mobile number through participating banks. MAS and the Bank of Thailand launched that linkage in 2021 with an initial daily limit of S$1,000 or THB25,000. For Malaysia, PayNow–DuitNow supports real-time transfers using a registered mobile number or Virtual Payment Address, with the Singapore-side daily transfer cap published at S$1,000.
These transfer limits should not automatically be applied to merchant QR transactions. Indonesia’s QRIS section on this page covers merchant payments through the QRIS–NETS QR linkage, not a PayNow transfer route. PayNow itself runs through Singapore’s domestic fast payment infrastructure; users who want the domestic transfer background can review FAST transfers in Singapore.
What to Check Before Travelling
Update the App
Install the latest version of the bank app or wallet. Cross-border QR features can depend on current app builds and destination support.
Check the App Limit
Review the overseas QR limit inside the app. UOB publishes a separate S$1,000 daily cap for each of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, while OCBC publishes route-specific S$1,000 limits. Other apps can use different wallet or transaction limits.
Plan for Connectivity
QR payments need mobile data or Wi-Fi. Keep roaming, eSIM or local SIM access ready before reaching small merchants.
Review FX Display
Check the MYR, THB or IDR amount, exchange rate and SGD amount before authorising. Compare the final SGD charge rather than only looking for a “zero fee” label.
Carry a Backup Method
Some stalls, personal QR codes, transport counters or temporary merchants may not work with Singapore apps. Keep a card or some local cash available.
Keep Payment Records
Save the app receipt until the merchant confirms payment and the transaction appears correctly in account activity.
Common Problems and What They Usually Mean
| Problem | Likely Reason | What to Do | Backup Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR code does not scan | Damaged QR, poor lighting, unsupported format or app camera permission issue | Ask for a fresh merchant QR and check app camera access | Card or cash |
| App says QR is unsupported | Personal QR, non-participating merchant, unsupported acquirer or unsupported destination route | Ask for the merchant’s business DuitNow QR, PromptPay QR or QRIS QR where applicable | Card, cash or another supported app |
| Merchant name looks wrong | Wrong QR code, shared stall account or outdated QR display | Cancel and ask the merchant to confirm the displayed name | Fresh QR, card or cash |
| SGD amount looks too high | Wrong foreign amount, exchange-rate spread or conversion markup | Cancel and check the local-currency amount and conversion before retrying | Compare with card or cash cost |
| Payment pending after approval | Network delay, merchant terminal delay or cross-border processing hold | Check app status before paying again | Ask the merchant to verify receipt from their side |
| Payment works in one shop but not another | Different merchant QR setup, acquirer or cross-border participation | Treat acceptance as merchant-specific rather than assuming every national QR works cross-border | Keep card and cash ready |
| QRIS payment rejects a decimal IDR amount | DBS notes that QRIS payments should use whole IDR amounts | Enter the payment as a whole rupiah amount and retry after confirming it with the merchant | OCBC, UOB, card or cash if the merchant supports them |
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Verification Notes
Singapore–Malaysia merchant QR connectivity was launched through the DuitNow QR–NETS QR linkage in March 2023. Official information is available from the Bank Negara Malaysia QR linkage notice.
Singapore–Thailand merchant payments use the PromptPay–NETS QR connection. The Bank of Thailand cross-border payment page separates the merchant QR connection from the PayNow–PromptPay real-time transfer linkage.
The Singapore–Indonesia QRIS–NETS QR linkage was launched on 17 November 2023. The joint Bank Indonesia and MAS release states that customers of participating institutions can use existing mobile apps to scan QRIS in Indonesia or NETS QR in Singapore. OCBC and UOB participated at launch, with DBS joining later.
Current app support and payment mechanics can be checked through NETS Travel with NETS, DBS PayLah! overseas QR, OCBC QRIS support, OCBC DuitNow support, OCBC PromptPay support, UOB overseas QR payments and Maybank Scan & Pay in Malaysia.
Bank app support, limits, minimum payment amounts, fees, exchange rates, merchant acceptance and settlement rules can change. For live use, confirm the destination feature inside the Singapore app and review the final merchant name, local-currency amount, exchange rate and SGD deduction before authorising.
FAQ
Can I use a Singapore bank app to pay QRIS merchants in Indonesia?
Yes. Singapore–Indonesia QRIS–NETS QR connectivity has been live since 17 November 2023. DBS PayLah!, OCBC app and UOB TMRW currently publish QRIS payment support for participating Indonesian merchants.
Can I use PayNow QR directly in Malaysia?
For merchant payments, Singapore users normally scan Malaysia’s DuitNow QR through a supported Singapore app. PayNow–DuitNow is a separate cross-border transfer service.
Can I scan PromptPay QR in Thailand with a Singapore bank app?
Yes, where the Singapore app supports the route and the Thai merchant displays a compatible business PromptPay QR. Current Singapore options include DBS PayLah!, OCBC app and UOB TMRW.
Is PayNow–PromptPay the same as scanning a Thai merchant QR?
No. PayNow–PromptPay is a mobile-number transfer linkage through participating banks. Scanning PromptPay QR at a merchant is a retail QR payment flow.
Do all three countries use the same daily limit?
No universal network-wide limit should be assumed. UOB publishes a separate S$1,000 daily overseas QR limit for each of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. OCBC publishes S$1,000 daily for DuitNow QR and QRIS, while its S$1,000 Thailand limit is shared between PromptPay QR and PayNow–PromptPay. Other apps can use different wallet or account limits.
Do cross-border QR payments avoid FX costs?
No. Currency conversion still takes place. DBS PayLah! states that its conversion includes a 2% markup, while OCBC and UOB publish no separate QR administration fee but still convert the overseas amount into SGD. Review the displayed rate and final SGD amount before payment.
Should I still carry cash in Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia?
Yes. Cross-border QR does not work at every merchant. A business may use an unsupported or personal QR, the app may be unavailable, or mobile connectivity may fail. Keep a card or some local cash as a fallback.
