For UAE residents and businesses traveling internationally, maintaining seamless mobile connectivity is essential. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about using your UAE SIM card abroad, from roaming packages to cost-saving strategies.
Understanding International Roaming with UAE Mobile Operators
International roaming allows you to use your UAE mobile connection (voice, SMS, and data) while traveling in foreign countries. The three primary UAE mobile operators—Etisalat by e&, Du, and Virgin Mobile UAE—all offer roaming services, but with different coverage, pricing, and package options.
Important: Activate Roaming Before Travel
Most UAE mobile plans require you to explicitly activate international roaming before traveling. This can typically be done through your operator's mobile app, website, or by calling customer service. Failing to activate roaming may result in no service when you arrive at your destination.
Standard Roaming Rates: The Expensive Default Option
Without purchasing a roaming package, you'll be charged standard "pay-as-you-go" rates, which can be prohibitively expensive:
| Operator | Outgoing Calls (per min) | Incoming Calls (per min) | SMS (per message) | Data (per MB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etisalat by e& | AED 3.5 - 25 | AED 3.5 - 15 | AED 1 - 2 | AED 20 - 50 |
| Du | AED 3.5 - 20 | AED 3.5 - 12 | AED 1 - 1.5 | AED 18 - 45 |
| Virgin Mobile | AED 4 - 22 | AED 4 - 14 | AED 1 - 1.5 | AED 25 - 52 |
These rates vary significantly depending on your destination country, with popular destinations typically having somewhat more favorable rates than less-traveled locations. However, even at the lower end of the spectrum, costs can accumulate rapidly.
Data Roaming Warning
At standard rates, just 100MB of data usage (equivalent to browsing a few websites with images or using social media for about an hour) could cost you AED 2,000-5,000. Always purchase a roaming package or use alternative connectivity solutions when traveling.
Roaming Packages: The Cost-Effective Solution
All UAE operators offer prepaid roaming packages that provide significantly better value than standard rates. These packages typically include a fixed allocation of data, minutes, and sometimes SMS for use within a specific time period.
Etisalat by e& Roaming Packages (2024)
| Package | Data | Voice Minutes | Validity | Price (AED) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming Daily | 500MB | 30 mins | 1 day | 35 - 95 | Varies by region |
| Roaming Weekly | 2GB | 120 mins | 7 days | 200 - 350 | Varies by region |
| Roaming Monthly | 10GB | 300 mins | 30 days | 500 - 750 | Varies by region |
| GCC Roaming | 5GB | Unlimited within GCC | 7 days | 200 | All GCC countries |
Du Roaming Packages (2024)
| Package | Data | Voice Minutes | Validity | Price (AED) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Pass | 1GB | 30 mins | 1 day | 40 - 90 | Varies by region |
| Weekly Pass | 3GB | 150 mins | 7 days | 190 - 320 | Varies by region |
| Monthly Pass | 12GB | 350 mins | 30 days | 480 - 700 | Varies by region |
| Roam Like Home | Uses home data | Uses home minutes | Subscription | 105/month | Selected countries |
Virgin Mobile Roaming Packages (2024)
| Package | Data | Voice Minutes | Validity | Price (AED) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Daily | 1GB | 25 mins | 1 day | 50 - 99 | Varies by region |
| Travel Week | 2.5GB | 100 mins | 7 days | 225 - 350 | Varies by region |
| Travel Month | 7GB | 250 mins | 30 days | 525 - 750 | Varies by region |
Region-Specific Pricing
The price ranges shown reflect different costs depending on your destination region. For example, roaming in Europe or North America typically costs less than roaming in Africa or South America. Always check the specific rate for your destination country before purchasing a package.
Premium Roaming Services: Specialized Solutions
Du's Roam Like Home
Du offers a unique "Roam Like Home" service (AED 105/month) that allows postpaid customers to use their existing UAE plan allowances (data, minutes, SMS) while roaming in over 100 countries. This can be particularly cost-effective for heavy data users or frequent travelers.
Etisalat's Business Roaming Packs
Etisalat by e& offers specialized business roaming solutions with higher data allowances and priority customer support. These include:
- Business Traveler Pack: 30GB data and 500 minutes for 30 days (AED 1,000)
- Business Global Pack: Discounted rates in 100+ countries for 12 months (AED 2,000/year)
Multi-Country Roaming
If your travel plans include multiple countries, look for multi-region roaming packages that provide coverage across several countries. Both Etisalat by e& and Du offer options that cover entire regions (e.g., Europe, Asia, Middle East) at better rates than purchasing individual country packages.
Smart Roaming Strategies for Different Traveler Types
For Business Travelers
- Frequent travelers: Consider subscription-based solutions like Du's Roam Like Home or Etisalat's Business Global Pack
- Meeting/conference attendees: Daily packages provide cost-effective short-term coverage
- International road warriors: Monthly packages with high data allowances offer the best value
- Need guaranteed connectivity: Activate roaming 24 hours before departure to ensure everything is working properly
For Tourists & Leisure Travelers
- Weekend getaways: Daily packages typically provide the best value
- Weekly vacations: Weekly packages offer a good balance of cost and convenience
- Extended stays: Monthly packages provide the most data and minutes at the lowest per-unit cost
- Cruise passengers: Be careful with maritime roaming, which often incurs significantly higher charges (up to AED 50-100 per MB)
Maritime & In-Flight Roaming
Cruise ships and aircraft typically use satellite networks that charge premium rates not covered by standard roaming packages. These can be 5-10 times more expensive than regular international roaming. Use the ship or aircraft's WiFi services instead whenever possible.
Alternative Connectivity Solutions While Traveling
While UAE roaming packages offer convenience, several alternatives can provide more cost-effective connectivity:
Local SIM Cards
Purchasing a local SIM card at your destination often provides the most data and minutes for your money. This is ideal for longer stays but requires an unlocked phone.
Pros: Most cost-effective for data, local phone number for local calls
Cons: You'll have a different phone number, requires SIM swapping
Travel eSIMs
Digital SIM cards that can be installed on compatible phones (iPhone XS or newer, recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models) without physically swapping SIMs.
Pros: Easy to install before travel, can keep your UAE SIM active simultaneously
Cons: Requires eSIM-compatible device, sometimes more expensive than physical SIMs
Portable WiFi Hotspots
Rental devices that create a personal WiFi network connected to local mobile networks.
Pros: Connect multiple devices, fixed daily cost
Cons: Extra device to carry and keep charged
Public WiFi + VPN
Relying on hotel, restaurant, and public WiFi while using a VPN for security.
Pros: Often free or low-cost
Cons: Limited availability, potential security risks, intermittent connectivity
How to Activate and Manage Roaming
Each UAE operator offers multiple channels for activating and managing roaming services:
Etisalat by e&
- Mobile App: Download the "My Etisalat UAE" app and navigate to "Roaming" section
- USSD: Dial *177# from your phone before traveling
- Website: Log in to your account at etisalat.ae
- Customer Service: Call 800 101 or +971 8 00 5800 from abroad
Du
- Mobile App: Use the "du" app and select "Roaming Services"
- USSD: Dial *135# for roaming activation
- Website: Access your account at du.ae
- Customer Service: Call 800 155 or +971 4 390 5555 from abroad
Virgin Mobile
- Mobile App: The Virgin Mobile UAE app is the primary channel for all services
- Website: Log in at virginmobile.ae
- Customer Service: Call 800 8169 or +971 4 666 9767 from abroad
Tracking Usage While Roaming
All three operators provide tools to monitor your roaming usage:
- Etisalat by e&: Dial *170# or check the mobile app
- Du: Dial *135*2# or check the mobile app
- Virgin Mobile: Check usage in real-time via the app
Avoiding Bill Shock: Data Management Tips
Even with roaming packages, it's important to manage your data usage to avoid unexpected charges:
- Disable automatic updates: Prevent apps from updating automatically while roaming
- Use data compression: Browsers like Chrome and Opera offer data-saving modes
- Download maps offline: Google Maps allows downloading areas for offline use
- Limit video streaming: Reduce video quality settings in YouTube, Netflix, etc.
- Disable cloud sync: Temporarily pause iCloud, Google Photos, and similar services
- Set data warnings: Configure your phone to alert you when reaching certain usage thresholds
- Use WiFi when available: Switch to WiFi whenever possible for data-intensive activities
Roaming Data Limits & Fair Usage Policies
Most roaming packages include a "fair usage policy" that may throttle speeds or apply additional charges if you exceed certain thresholds. Read the terms carefully before purchasing a package.
Conclusion: Making the Right Roaming Choice
Choosing the right international roaming solution depends on your specific travel pattern, destination, and connectivity needs:
- For short business trips or vacations to popular destinations, operator roaming packages offer convenience and adequate coverage
- For longer stays in a single country, local SIMs or eSIMs typically provide better value
- For multi-country trips, region-specific roaming packages or international eSIMs are often the most practical
- For frequent travelers, subscription services like Du's Roam Like Home can deliver significant savings
No matter which option you choose, always activate and test your roaming service before departure, and keep monitoring tools handy to track your usage and avoid unexpected charges.
For personalized advice on selecting the best roaming solution for your specific travel needs, contact our mobile connectivity experts.
