Dubai tourist SIM cards and packages
While going to Dubai either for tourism or opening business in UAE free zones or opening an offshore bank account, there is always a need to communicate. Having a valid mobile connection is important in the modern world at any point of time and location.
Setting your mobile connection to roaming may end up attracting many additional charges. So the best way is to get a SIM card to keep the communication going.
Although there is free Wi-Fi connection at almost every single place you enter in Dubai, however, you may lose such while on the road, street, or any other place that requires your personal Internet or mobile connection.
Knowing how beneficial and necessary it is for tourists, the UAE has made provision for tourist SIM cards. This is to avoid any breach in communication between the tourists and their important ones.
The tourist SIM cards in the UAE have the validity of 3 months after which it would be disabled but you can still request for its extension. It also comes with some helpful packages that may save an urgent situation.
Where to buy tourist SIM cards in Dubai
Have you ever wondered where or how to get a tourist SIM card in Dubai? In the Emirate of Dubai, every tourist can get a free SIM card right at the airport on arrival. This is also called the “complimentary SIM”. It is preloaded with 20MB for your Internet connection and a 3 minutes call for a quick talk while still at the airport.
So in the UAE, there are 3 major network service providers, they are:
- Etisalat
- DU
- Virgin mobile
In Terminal 1, 2 and 3 of the Dubai airport, you can get any tourist SIM card of your choice with the added package.
At the customs section of the airport, only the DU SIM cards are given. You can subscribe to any of these Dubai SIM card plans at the airport with minimal effort. Within 5 minutes or less, you have activated your SIM with the complimentary offers.
If you think the preloaded packages on the complimentary tourist SIM card may not be sufficient for your use, you may proceed to any of the stores of Etisalat, DU or Virgin mobile to get more of that. Again, if you weren't able to get the free tourist SIM card at the airport, do not worry, you can still get it at any of the providers' kiosks in malls, their offices and other outlets everywhere in the Emirate.
You can also buy a Dubai SIM card online and have it delivered to you while you activate it. To do this, you may have to visit the providers' individual websites specified below to place your request.
Dubai SIM card prepaid packages and how to activate them
Just as stated above, the three network service providers in Dubai are all excellent to use and they also provide outstanding services. Let’s check them one-by-one.
DU SIM card services packages (prepaid)
DU SIM card Dubai
| Package | Activation codes | Fees | Validity period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 GB/250 Minutes | *055*127# | AED 150 | 30 Days |
| 30 GB | *055*150# | AED 150 | 30 Days |
| 100 GB | *055*100# | AED 210 | 90 Days |
| 100 MB daily | *055# | AED 2.5 | Daily |
You can also just dial *122# then enter and follow the few simple steps to activate your tourist SIM card and get the complimentary offer.
For more information about the DU prepaid services and others, you can contact the DU service centre on 155 or 800155.
If you are outside the UAE: +971555678155
You can access their digital IVR with *177#
You can also visit their website at www.du.ae/prepaid/specialoffers
Etisalat SIM card prepaid service packages
Etisalat SIM card Dubai
| Package | Activation codes | Fees | Validity period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 MB daily | *135*5# | AED 50 | 28 Days |
| 1 GB | *101*30*1# | AED 30 | 7 Days |
Visit their website at www.etisalat.ae for more information about the prepaid and postpaid packages. There are also limited and unlimited offers on their website.
You can also contact them on 101 - for etisalat customers.
For non-etisalat customers call 800101
Virgin Mobile SIM card prepaid service packages (tourist plan)
Virgin SIM card Dubai
| Package | Fees | Validity period |
|---|---|---|
| 21 GB (3 GB daily), 30 local mins & 20 international mins | AED 150 | 7 Days |
| 40 GB (4 GB daily), 30 local mins & 20 international mins | AED 200 | 10 Days |
| 75 GB(5 GB daily) | AED 300 + free internets calls | 15 Days |
You can locate Virgin Mobile stores at Terminal 1 and 3 of the Dubai airport.
For more enquiries on their services, visit their website at www.virginmobile.ae
So, having seen the above illustrations, you will have to select the network provider that best suits your needs. You may want to visit each of the websites to know more about their service packages. You can also order SIM cards online and have them delivered at your doorstep. This can also be done on their websites.
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