Dubai: If you are planning to fly in to the UAE, you may be wondering how you can get a local UAE Sim card to stay connected with family and friends. When you first land in the UAE, you do not even need to step out of the airport to get your hands on a Sim card. However, even if you have left the airport, for the hotel or your family’s residence, you can still apply for a Sim card. Here are all the options available to UAE visitors.
Etisalat
Etisalat offers the ‘Visitor Line’ packages, where a visitor can get a Sim card, along with the option of four packages:
1. Visitor Line
- Cost: Dh49
- Data: 2GB
- Flexi minutes - 30 (Flexi minutes can be used to make national or international calls)
2. Visitor Line +
- Cost: Dh79
- Data: 4GB
- Flexi minutes - 30 (Flexi minutes can be used to make national or international calls)
3. Visitor Line Premium
- Cost: Dh125
- Data: 6GB
- Flexi minutes - 120 (Flexi minutes can be used to make national or international calls)
4. Visitor Line Premium +
- Cost: Dh200
- Data: 22.5GB
- Flexi minutes - 525 (Flexi minutes can be used to make national or international calls)
Additional benefits
Etisalat has tied up with Careem, to offer Dh100 credit for the ride hailing service. You can also get shopping benefits by using the Etisalat Smiles app.
Where can I get it?
You can get the SIM card at any airport in the UAE, or at the Etisalat kiosks, shops or business centres.
Which documents do I need?
To get a Sim card as a visitor, you would need to provide the following documents:
• Original passport
• Valid UAE visit visa
How long will it be valid for?
The package is valid for 28 days.
Du
Visitors to Dubai can also get a free SIM card from du.
Where can I get the free Sim card?
The card can be requested for at the immigration counter of Dubai Airport, or by visiting any du kiosk, shop or business centre at the airport or anywhere in the UAE.
Who can get the free Sim card?
Visitors over the age of 18 can get the Tourist Sim package, which comes preloaded with a free Sim card, three flexi minutes, 20 MB data and a one-month validity.
Tourists can add more calling minutes or data via three recharge options by du:
• Pay Dh25 and get 150 MB data – 10 flexible minutes, three-day validity
• Pay Dh55 and get 500 MB data – 20 flexible minutes, seven-day validity
• Pay Dh110 and get 2 GB data – 40 flexible minutes and 14-day validity
To activate the complimentary Sim, you need to insert the Sim card in your phone, dial *122# and follow instructions.
Documents required
If you wish to get the Tourist Sim from a du kiosk, shop or business centre, you would need to provide the following documents:
1. Original passport
2. Valid UAE visit visa
How long will it be valid for?
The du Tourist SIM is valid for up to 90 days. You can extend it for another 90 days by dialing *135#.
Are there any fees if I change my plan?
If you are staying on in the UAE, you can change the Tourist Sim plan to a prepaid or postpaid connection.
There are no charges if you switch to a Postpaid plan. However, if you switch to a Prepaid plan a one-time fee of Dh55 (excluding VAT) will apply.
Virgin mobile
Virgin mobile also has shops at airports in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, and you can visit a booth to pick up a Sim card and select a plan that best suits your needs.
Virgin mobile allows customers to tailor their telecom package based on their usage and needs, allowing you to pay for the minutes and data you would require.
Get the Sim card delivered
You can also get the Sim card delivered by following these steps:
1. Download the Virgin Mobile app
2. Choose a number from the options available
3. Set up your plan based on your preference
4. Apply for the Sim card by making the payment
According to Virgin Mobile, the Sim card is delivered to the customer within 60 minutes and is activated immediately.
Documents required
You would need to provide your passport details for verification purposes.
