Visitors to the UAE can get a local prepaid SIM or eSIM with a passport. The UAE’s two licensed telecoms companies, e& (formerly Etisalat) and du, both sell visitor plans, and Virgin Mobile UAE, a brand of du’s parent company, sells tourist plans too. You can buy at airport shops or online, and some eSIMs can be activated on arrival with facial recognition.
Key facts
- Licensed operators: TDRA names Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat, now trading as e&) and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du).
- Visitor plans: e& Visitor Line; du Tourist Plan; Virgin Mobile UAE Tourist Plans.
- ID: TDRA says visitors register with a passport, or a GCC national ID for GCC citizens. The UAE government portal says to bring your passport and UAE visa.
- Limit: up to two SIM cards per service provider for visitors (TDRA).
- Where to buy: operator shops at UAE airports (u.ae), plus operator outlets and websites.
- Calling apps: only VoIP apps that are licensed or on TDRA’s approved list may be used.
Who are the UAE mobile operators?
The UAE’s telecoms regulator, TDRA, lists two licensees: Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) and Emirates Integrated Telecommunication Company PJSC (du). Etisalat now trades as e&; its old etisalat.ae web address redirects to eand.ae. Virgin Mobile UAE describes itself as a business unit within Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, the company behind du. It is a brand of a licensee, not a separate licensee.
What do I need to buy a visitor SIM?
Bring your passport. TDRA says visitors can get a SIM with their passport (or a GCC national ID for GCC citizens), on conditions set by the provider and for a limited period. The UAE government portal, u.ae, says visitors need a copy of their passport and UAE visa. e& asks for a valid passport and visa and sells its Visitor Line only to people aged 18 and over, with a maximum of two SIMs per passport. Virgin Mobile UAE says its tourist plans are for passport or GCC ID holders, not Emirates ID holders.
TDRA also says a visitor SIM is disconnected if valid registration details are not provided within 48 hours of the subscription expiring.
Visitor plans by operator
e& Visitor Line
e& describes the Visitor Line as a prepaid pack only for visitors to the UAE. It includes data, flexi minutes for local and international calls, and Wi-Fi access. Packs last 28 days and can be bought more than once. You can buy online (3D Secure cards only), at e& business centres and outlets, or from authorised partners. Visitor Line customers get ride discounts with Careem and Hala through the Smiles app.
In September 2024, e& announced a free visitor eSIM with 10GB of data valid for one day. Visitors activate it after immigration by scanning a QR code and completing facial recognition. Check e& for the current terms before you fly.
The Visitor Line plan prices were not shown on the e& page we checked on 2 October 2026, so we have left them out. The same page lists out-of-bundle rates of AED 0.63 a minute for local calls and AED 0.19 per local SMS.
du Tourist Plan
u.ae names the du Tourist Plan as du’s offer for visitors, with options for local and international calls, texts and data. du’s tourist pages did not display plan details or prices when we checked on 2 October 2026, so we have not listed any. Check du’s website or an airport shop for the current offer.
Virgin Mobile UAE Tourist Plans
Virgin Mobile UAE sells tourist plans as an eSIM or a physical SIM. It says eSIM activation with facial recognition usually happens instantly. A physical SIM is collected from an airport store, where staff check your passport, and activation may take a few hours. Virgin Mobile lists airport stores at Dubai International Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Abu Dhabi airport and Sharjah airport.
Prices displayed on virginmobile.ae on 2 October 2026. They appear to exclude VAT, because the page offers a toggle to “view prices with 5% VAT”:
| Plan length | Data | Local mins/SMS | International mins/SMS | Price shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Unlimited | 0 | 0 | AED 95.24 |
| 7 days | 3GB per day | 30 | 20 | AED 142.86 |
| 10 days | Unlimited | 0 | 0 | AED 190.48 |
| 20 days | Unlimited | 0 | 0 | AED 285.71 |
Virgin Mobile also advertises cashback on some of these plans. It accepts major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and cash in dirhams at the airport.
SIM or eSIM?
Your phone must support eSIM to use one. Both e& and Virgin Mobile UAE offer eSIM activation with facial recognition. A physical SIM means a visit to a shop, where your passport is checked. Whichever you choose, keep your passport to hand.
Wi-Fi and calling apps
u.ae says e& and du provide Wi-Fi in many places, most hotels offer free Wi-Fi to guests, and most malls and many public places have free Wi-Fi too. For internet voice and video calls, TDRA says only licensed services, or apps on its approved list, may be used. Check TDRA’s current list before relying on a particular app.
Before you travel
- If you want an eSIM, check that your phone supports it.
- Plan how you will get from the airport before your data is working. See DXB airport transfers.
- Check the entry rules for your passport in our UAE visa and entry guide.
- More planning help: UAE Travel Guide and Dubai International (DXB).
Plans, prices and registration rules change. Check the operator’s own website and TDRA before you rely on any detail here.
FAQ
Can tourists get a SIM card in the UAE?
Yes. TDRA says visitors can get SIM cards with their passport, on the provider’s conditions and for a limited period. Up to two SIMs per provider are allowed.
Can I buy a SIM at Dubai airport?
Yes. u.ae says e& and du have shops at UAE airports, and Virgin Mobile UAE lists stores at Dubai International Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Is there a free tourist eSIM?
e& announced a free visitor eSIM with 10GB of data for one day in September 2024. Check e& for the current terms before you travel.
What ID do I need?
A passport, or a GCC national ID for GCC citizens. u.ae and e& also mention your UAE visa.
How old do I need to be?
e& sells its Visitor Line only to visitors aged 18 and over. Check age rules with the other operators directly.
Is Virgin Mobile UAE a separate network?
Virgin Mobile UAE says it is a business unit within Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, the licensee behind du.
Can I make internet voice and video calls?
TDRA says internet voice and video calls must use licensed services or apps on its approved list. Check the current list on TDRA’s website.
Verified from official sources — last checked 2 October 2026. Details can change; confirm with the operator before you travel.