UAE SIM Card Guide: How to Get a Phone Number as a New Resident

01Who provides mobile service in the UAE?

There are two main mobile network operators in the UAE: e& (formerly Etisalat) and du. Both cover the whole country with 4G and 5G in many areas. Both sell prepaid and postpaid plans for individuals and families, and both offer home internet.

There are also lower-cost, digital-first brands, such as Swyp and Virgin Mobile. They often sell online with simpler plans. Check which network they use and the coverage in your area before you buy. The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) regulates the sector, and its website has rules for consumers.

For most people, the choice comes down to price, coverage where you live and work, and how you want to pay. A second point is your home internet: many people choose the same provider for phone and home internet to get a bundle discount.

02Prepaid vs postpaid

Prepaid

You pay in advance and use your balance for data, calls and messages. It is easy to start with, and there is no contract. It is a good choice in your first weeks, or if you want to control costs. You can buy a bundle for a number of days or a month and top up when needed.

Postpaid

You get a monthly plan and a bill at the end. Postpaid usually gives more data for the price, and it can include home internet bundles and device plans. To start a postpaid line, a provider may ask for your Emirates ID, your passport and visa, and sometimes proof of salary or a deposit. There may be a minimum contract period, so ask about the cancellation terms.

A simple path for new residents: start with prepaid on arrival. After you receive your Emirates ID and sign a tenancy contract, compare postpaid and bundle options.

03Documents you need

By law, every SIM card must be registered to a real person, so you cannot buy a SIM without ID.

• Residents: your Emirates ID. If your card has not arrived yet, ask the store what they accept, such as your passport and visa, or your Emirates ID application receipt.
• Visitors and tourists: your passport. Tourist SIMs are sold at the airport and in many stores, with data bundles that last a set number of days.
• Postpaid: as above, plus extra proof if the provider asks.

Rules about how many lines you can hold in your name, and the process, can change, so ask the provider or check the TDRA site. Keep a copy of your registration. If you leave the UAE, cancel your plan formally. Do not just stop paying.

04eSIM: get connected without a plastic card

If your phone supports eSIM, you can add a UAE number digitally. Both major providers offer eSIM. You usually register in the provider's app or in a store, scan a code and your plan is active within minutes.

• Good for: travellers who want a local number on arrival, or people who want two numbers on one phone.
• Check first: that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to a foreign carrier.
• Note: you still need to register with a valid ID.

05Where to buy a SIM

• At the airport. Arrival halls have shops from the main providers. It is the fastest way to get connected, though prices can be a little higher.
• In a store. Official e& and du shops are in malls and main streets. Staff can register your SIM on the spot.
• Through the provider's app or website. Often with home delivery or eSIM.
• Be careful with street sellers. Buy only from official stores or the provider's app.

06Calling and messaging apps

This surprises many new arrivals. In the UAE, voice and video calls on some popular apps, such as WhatsApp and FaceTime, have been limited. Messaging, photos and file sharing usually work, but voice and video calls may not. The rules and what works can change, so check the TDRA and your provider for the latest.

• Licensed calling apps, such as Botim and C'me, are available in the UAE. Their rules and costs vary, so check before you rely on them.
• Many people use their local plan's minutes to call home, or buy an international calling bundle.
• Video-meeting tools used for work, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, are commonly used. Ask your employer which tool they use.

Do not use unofficial tools to get around the rules. Follow the law and use the licensed options instead.

07Data, roaming and international calls

• Data. Check the data allowance and what happens when it ends. Some plans slow down, and some stop until you top up.
• International minutes. If you often call your home country, check the cost per minute, or buy a bundle for that country.
• Roaming when you travel. Roaming can be expensive. Before a trip, buy a roaming bundle from your provider, or use a local eSIM at your destination.
• Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi is common in malls, cafes and hotels, but do not use it for banking or private data without a secure connection.

08Home internet

Home internet needs your tenancy contract and Emirates ID, and in some buildings a specific provider is already wired in. Ask your landlord or building manager before you choose. We explain the full process, including DEWA, in our utilities guide. To plan the whole monthly cost, use the cost of living guide.

09Scams and safety

• Your bank, e&, du, the police and government offices do not ask for your full card number, PIN or one-time password by call or message. Never share them.
• Be careful of links in text messages that claim to be from a bank, delivery company or government service. Go to the official app or website yourself.
• Do not give your Emirates ID or SIM to another person to use. The line is registered in your name, and you are responsible for it.
• Use the official apps for e&, du, UAE Pass and your bank, and keep your phone updated.

If something looks wrong, contact the provider through its official number. See our Emirates ID and UAE Pass guide for digital identity safety.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions