The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – mostly known for the insane skyscrapers in Dubai, Dubai International Airport & Emirates- and Etihad Airlines.
When you think of the United Arab Emirates, you may think of the Burj Khalifa, The World Islands in Dubai, or elegant malls
But what about the less extravagant things, like the many deserts full of exciting attractions (and full of sand, of course).
You would almost forget the United Arab Emirates has many deserts when you mostly see pictures of Dubai.
So, what to do in this country?
If you love to shop, The Dubai Mall is for you.
Lose seeing beautiful mosques? Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will take your breath away.
Into art? The Alserkal Avenue has a bunch of modern art galleries.
In short, being bored while in the United Arab Emirates should be illegal.
Be careful with with international roaming though – International roaming can be expensive, which is why using local and travel eSIMs is recommended to save money.
Not only will you save a lot of money by doing so, you do not have to deal with SIM card registration laws, which are often invasive (which includes the United Arab Emirates).
How much will a local or travel eSIM for the United Arab Emirates cost you?
You can get an eSIM for the United Arab Emirates for as little as 8.50 USD and up to 54 USD from Etisalat UAE, Du UAE & Virgin Mobile, Airalo (Burj Mobile), Holafly, Nomad & SimCorner.
I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in the United Arab Emirates and 80+ other countries, including the United Arab Emirates' neighbors, for competitive rates.
Original publication: 6th of October 2022. Last updated: 8th of March 2024.
Table of Contents
In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction
I will write about ten eSIM options in United Arab Emirates (and explain why they are included).
But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for United Arab Emirates without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:
- Airalo United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (top pick)
- Airalo Menalink eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 3 GB
- Holafly United Arab Emirates eSIM with unlimited data for 5 to 20 days – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
- Nomad United Arab Emirates eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 10 GB – use code ADU123 for 3 USD off)
- Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global) with 12 choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (extensive global coverage (125+ countries) at attractive prices) + ability to make and receive calls & send and receive SMS (new) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover(+) (Global) eSIM review too!
- AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with 5G NR access in United Arab Emirates with one 6 GB option (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)
- Nomad International eSIM with three choices between 1 GB and 5 GB
- Nomad Global eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (extensive global coverage (109 or 139 countries) at high(er) prices – use code ADU123 for 3 USD off)
Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (United Arab Emirates-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for United Arab Emirates 😜).
Let's truly get started, shall we?
Airalo Burj Mobile eSIM for the United Arab Emirates
Airalo is probably a name you have heard of when researching travel eSIMs worldwide – perhaps even for the United Arab Emirates.
That is because it is the largest and oldest eSIM platform worldwide, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).
Its extensive worldwide coverage attracted me to Airalo early on – even when I did not have an eSIM-compatible phone and had to use my dad's phone for testing purposes.
He did not like me stealing his phone so often… so I eventually got my own 🗿.
Anyway, Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in the United Arab Emirates – it is called Burj Mobile.
It is impossible for Airalo, or any other mobile operator, to operate in every country (and do not trust any company saying otherwise), so they set up roaming agreements.
Yes, I said roaming, but this is not the type of international roaming that will result in a 3000 USD roaming bill – do not worry!
What Airalo does, and basically all mobile operators do, is partner up with a local mobile operator so that their customers can still stay connected when abroad.
In the case of the United Arab Emirates, Airalo's Burj Mobile eSIM uses the Du network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet, unfortunately).
In the case of the United Arab Emirates, Airalo's Burj Mobile eSIM uses the Du network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet, unfortunately.
Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).
Anyway, the following six Airalo United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIMs are available:
- United Arab Emirates/Burj Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 4.50 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- United Arab Emirates/Burj Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 7 USD
- United Arab Emirates/Burj Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 9.50 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- United Arab Emirates/Burj Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 13 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- United Arab Emirates/Burj Mobile 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 21 USD
- United Arab Emirates/Burj Mobile 20 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 35 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.
I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for the United Arab Emirates in this guide.
What makes things even more pleasant is that you can top up your eSIM when it is expiring or when you are out of data without the need to purchase a new eSIM.
But you may think that a local SIM card or eSIM will (still) be cheaper than Airalo or any other travel eSIM.
And you are right – that is true in most cases.
However, you will have to deal with the Emirati SIM card registration laws.
(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).
Most mobile operators will only sell you (overpriced) tourist SIM cards or the most expensive plans because of “mandatory top-up requirements” (which are often lies to take more of your money anyway).
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
So while you technically could get cheaper plans, the question is whether you can actually get them or not.
Anyway, you should be aware that while you can get up to 4G/LTE connection with the Airalo United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.
That is because you are roaming on the Du network instead of being a native customers.
But that does not mean you will have (extremely) slow speeds – just slower than native customers.
Anyway, the Airalo United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIM is fantastic and is the eSIM I, and many Phone Travel Wiz readers, recommend the most.
The eSIMs are affordable, the data allowances can be tailored to your needs (1 GB to 5 GB + top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Holafly eSIM for the United Arab Emirates
Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers, but it is one of the popular ones.
Like SimCorner, it used to sell travel SIM cards before entering the eSIM market.
However, its travel SIM cards were criminally expensive (unlike SimCorner, which is still the best and cheapest travel SIM card seller out there), so I did not pay too much attention to Holafly.
But in 2022, they started offering eSIMs – at first, at high prices (not surprised), but the prices have decreased in recent months (which I appreciate).
However, in June, they started offering unlimited data plans for its eSIMs, making Holafly unique.
And these unlimited data eSIMs can be used in various East– Southeast Asian countries, almost all European Union member states (except for Liechtenstein) & a few other countries, like Canada and the United States.
Fortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are available in the United Arab Emirates.
I say yet because Holafly's goal is to offer unlimited data plans for every country it covers: 100+ countries.
And I can tell you that I get positive emails multiple times a week from Phone Travel Wiz readers that have used the unlimited data plans in East- and Southeast Asia, Europe & North America; they love these eSIMs.
You have the following five Holafly United Arab Emirates eSIM options:
- United Arab Emirates unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 19 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- United Arab Emirates unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- United Arab Emirates unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 34 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- United Arab Emirates unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
- United Arab Emirates unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only).
As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly United Arab Emirates eSIM, nor can you call and text (it is a data-only eSIM).
Moreover, you cannot top up or extend the validity with the Holafly United Arab Emirates eSIM – so you need to buy another eSIM when you are out of data or the eSIM expires; you have to purchase a new one.
But to soften the (potential) friction of buying multiple Holafly eSIMs, you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the United Arab Emirates eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ – you are welcome 😜.
- Check out my Holafly reviews
Nomad eSIMs for the United Arab Emirates
I am going to be straight with you – you probably shoud not get the Nomad United Arab Emirates eSIM.
So why do I even bother including them in this guide?
It is because Nomad generally is good… where its plans are reasonably priced.
For example, Nomad lowered its prices for a handful of East- and Southeast Asian countries, making them the cheapest option for those countries (compared to Airalo, Holafly & SimCorner).
In most of Europe and North America, it is competitive.
In other countries in Africa, most of the Americas, the Caribbean, non-European Union member states & Oceania (except for Australia and New Zealand), the prices are honestly criminal.
Let me explain.
The 1 GB variant valid for 7 days costs 20 USD.
For a bit more (22.50 USD), Airalo's United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIM will give you 3 GB of data.
What about the 3 GB variant valid for 30 days? It costs 48 USD.
For 35 USD, the Airalo United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIM will give you 5 GB for 30 days.
SimCorner's United Arab Emirates eSIM with 6 GB of data for 15 days costs only 36 USD.
The same allowance and validity is offered by Holafly for 49 USD instead – and that is all before the discounts you get when using promo code PHONETRAVELWIZ (works for both Holafly and SimCorner).
So why spend 48 USD for just 3 GB of data? I do not know.
So once again, why do I even bother mentioning Nomad for the United Arab Emirates?
It is because I believe, but mostly hope, that Nomad will eventually drop its prices for United Arab Emirates.
As I mentioned earlier, Nomad dropped its prices for various Asian countries, making them the cheapest.
It also introduced a 2 GB variant for some of said countries, offering more options at competitive rates, on request of Phone Travel Wiz readers.
And, upon my request, it introduced the Nordics eSIM, which can be used in Denmark, Finland, Norway & Sweden.
So yes, I am in close contact with Nomad, but my contact there told me that their intermediary, Truphone, has no plans on dropping prices for the United Arab Emirates yet, which is why the Nomad United Arab Emirates eSIMs are criminal.
Once this changes, I will update this section, but I wanted to let you know that Nomad is a good eSIM reseller – it is just expensive for the United Arab Emirates (for now), unfortunately.
If you plan on visiting other countries and are considering Nomad, use code ADU123 on the site or their apps and get 3 USD/2.75 EUR/2.35 GBP/4 CAD off (even on top of (some) ongoing promotions)!
But during certain promotions where you are required to enter a code for a discount (let's say Tuesdays (web sales only) or public holidays), the discount you get for these special promotions will be more than the 3 USD off with codes ADU123. I suggest using those codes instead for extra savings – I will not blame you for it 😏.
- Check out my Nomad reviews
Local Emirati eSIM for Prepaid Customers
If you want the best and full network experience, including being able to call and text, you want to get a local eSIM.
You have two main mobile operators & two Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in the United Arab Emirates: Etisalat UAE, Du, Swyp UAE & Virgin Mobile UAE.
Currently, Etisalat UAE, Du UAE & Virgin Mobile UAE offer eSIMs to prepaid customers.
You can get a Etisalat UAE, Du UAE or Virgin Mobile UAE eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card, which is 57.75 AED (15.70 USD) at the moment.
For more information about the plans offered by Etisalat UAE, Du UAE & Virgin Mobile UAE, check out my Emirati SIM card buying guide.
International eSIM for the United Arab Emirates & More Countries
Okay, I went over the United Arab Emirates travel eSIM options offered by Airalo, Holafly, Nomad & SimCorner + by the local mobile operators (Etisalat UAE, Du UAE & Virgin Mobile UAE in this case).
As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in the United Arab Emirates and not in neighboring Oman or Saudi Arabia?
So what if you plan on visiting any of those countries, or you are on a world tour and wish to use one eSIM in multiple countries – do you have any other options?
Yes, you do. Airalo, Nomad & SimCorner have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include the United Arab Emirates too.
So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in the United Arab Emirates and other countries, including the United Arab Emirates' neighbors.
Airalo Menalink eSIM
Airalo recently introduced an eSIM for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Menalink. The Menalink eSIM follows the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries, the fairly new Asialink eSIM for 13 Asian countries & the super new Latamlink eSIM for 19 Latin American countries.
The Menalink eSIM comes in three variants: 1 GB/7 days – very popular with PTW readers, 2 GB/15 days – very popular with PTW readers & 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers, to be used in United Arab Emirates and 14 other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries:
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.
- Bahrain
- Egypt
- Iran
- Iraq 1
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Morocco
- Oman
- Palestine 1
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Sudan
- Tunisia 1
- United Arab Emirates
1 on 3G only
Below is an overview of how much each Menalink eSIM costs:
- Middle East and North Africa/Menalink 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Middle East and North Africa/Menalink 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 28 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Middle East and North Africa/Menalink 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 39 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.
Sometimes, it can be more convenient and cheaper to get the Menalink eSIM than the local Airalo eSIM because Menalink offers more data (instead of you having to purchase multiple 1 GB/7 days top-ups to stay connected).
With the Menalink eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit in the Middle East and North Africa!
Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global)
Airalo was probably the first eSIM provider to introduce a global eSIM – it was called Discover Global.
I have had decent to good experiences with that eSIM, but I felt it could improve.
Such as extending the validity of most plans (maximum used to be 180 days) and having 5G NR access in popular destinations (like many regional Airalo eSIMs do nowadays, even country-specific ones).
In August 2023, Airalo made a radical change to its global eSIM.
Until then, the eSIM could be used in about 85 countries – always up to 4G/LTE (with some networks on 3G only).
This eSIM was powered by FL1 Telecom Liechtenstein (network name can be Mobilkom (Liechtenstein) at times).
This mobile operator worked well in Europe and some Asian countries, but it was often one of the slowest performing (Airalo eSIMs).
Now, Airalo's global eSIM is called Discover(+).
It is powered by eSIM Go (which is basically Drei Austria).
The difference between the Airalo Discover and Airalo Discover+ eSIMs is that the latter has calling and texting functionalities (with an Austrian +43 phone number).
Because of this, Discover+ eSIMs can be up to 20 USD more expensive than regular Discover eSIMs.
For the previous Airalo Discover Global eSIMs, you paid the same prices as the Discover+ eSIMs for worse availability (85+ countries instead of 125+) and no calling or texting at all.
So… it is an upgrade 😎.
Not only that, but you (finally) get 5G NR access in quite some countries (55+)1 as well.
1 click here, press select the variant you want & click on network to see which network(s) allow for 5G NR access. You often have access to multiple local networks, but not all have 5G NR access (and some do not even give you 4G/LTE access)
Moreover, the most expensive option is now valid for a whole year (365 days) instead of 180 days.
The Airalo Discover(+) eSIM can be used in the following 125+ countries:
- Åland Islands 3
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia (new)
- Australia 5
- Austria 3
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain (new) 3
- Bangladesh (new)
Belarus1- Belgium 3
- Bolivia (new)
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Botswana (new) 2
- Brazil 5
- Brunei (new) 1
- Bulgaria 5
Cambodia- Canada 5
- Central African Republic (new) 1
- Chad (new)
- Chile
- China 3
- Colombia
- Congo, Democratic Republic of (new)
- Congo, Republic of (new)
- Costa Rica (new)
- Croatia 3
- Cyprus 5
- Czech Republic 3
- Denmark 5
Dominican Republic1- Ecuador
- Egypt (new)
- El Salvador (new) 1
- Estonia 5
- Eswatini (new) 1
- Finland 5
- France 3
- French West Indies (new) 3
- Gabon (new)
- Georgia
- Germany 3
- Ghana (new)
- Gibraltar 1
- Greece 3
Greenland (new)1- Guatemala (new) 1
- Guernsey (new)
- Guinea-Bissau (new) 1
- Honduras (new) 1
- Hong Kong 3
- Hungary 5
- Iceland 3
- India
- Indonesia 3
- Ireland 3
- Isle of Man (new)
Iraq1- Israel 5
- Italy 5
- Ivory Coast
- Japan 3
- Jersey
- Jordan (new)
- Kazakhstan (new)
- Kenya (new)
- Kosovo
- Kuwait 3
- Kyrgyzstan (new)
- Latvia 3
Liberia1- Liechtenstein 4
- Lithuania 5
- Luxembourg 3
- Macau
- Madagascar (new)
- Malawi (new)
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Malta 3
- Mexico 5
- Moldova
- Monaco (new)
- Montenegro 5
- Morocco (new)
- Netherlands 5
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua (new)
- Niger (new) 1
- Nigeria (new) 2
- North Macedonia
- Norway 5
- Oman (new)
- Pakistan (new)
- Panama
- Paraguay 1
- Peru
- Philippines 3
- Poland 3
- Portugal 3
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar 5
- Réunion (new)
- Romania 5
Russia- Saudi Arabia 5
- Senegal (new) 1
- Serbia
- Seychelles (new)
- Singapore
- Slovakia 3
- Slovenia 5
- South Africa
- South Korea 3
- Spain 5
- Sri Lanka
Sudan- Sweden 5
- Switzerland 3
- Taiwan 3
- Tanzania (new)
Tajikistan1- Thailand 5
- Tunisia (new)
- Turkey 3
- Uganda (new)
- Ukraine (new)
- United Arab Emirates (new) 3
- United Kingdom 5
- United States 5
- Uruguay (new)
- Uzbekistan (new)
U.S. Virgin Islands- Vietnam
Yemen (new)1- Zambia (new) 1
* “(new)” is compared to the previous Discover Global eSIM (discontinued) or recently added countries
1 on 3G only
2 check the networks section on the Airalo website or app because at least one of the available networks is on 3G only (while the others are up to 4G/LTE)
3 5G NR access for all available networks
4 even if your phone does not support 5G NR, select FL1 Telecom/Telecom Liechtenstein for 4G/LTE access because Salt Liechtenstein is restricted to 3G only
5 check the networks section on the Airalo website or app because at least one of the available networks is up to 4G/LTE (while the others are up to 5G NR)
You have these 12 Airalo Discover Global eSIMs:
- Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
- Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
- Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
- Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
- Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
- Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
- Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
- Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
- Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.
Interested in using the Airalo Discover(+) eSIM in another country or countries? Read my Airalo Global eSIM review (tested in numerous countries and counting).
Before Airalo updated its global eSIM, I used the old version (Discover Global) in 15+ countries. From August 2023, I will only test the Discover+ eSIM. This is why some country-specific reviews (like Global in Japan) still refer to the Discover Global one and show the old eSIM image instead of Discover+.
AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM (5G NR access in United Arab Emirates)
SimOptions also sells a global eSIM: AIS eSIM2FLY Global.
And it can be used in 140+ countries for 15 days – 53 of them with 5G NR access.
The AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM can be used in the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Åland Islands
- Albania
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia 1
- Austria 1
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain 1
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium 1
- Bhutan 1
- Bolivia
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria 1
- Cambodia
- Canada 1
- Chad
- Chile
- China 1
- Colombia
- Congo, Republic of
- Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Costa Rica
- Croatia 1
- Cyprus 1
- Czech Republic 1
- Denmark 1
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Estonia 1
- Eswatini
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland 1
- France 1
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany 1
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guernsey
- Honduras
- Hong Kong 1
- Hungary 1
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia 1
- Iran 1
- Ireland 1
- Isle of Man
- Israel 1
- Italy 1
- Japan 1
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait 1
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia 1
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg 1
- Macau
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives 1
- Malta 1
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands 1
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway 1
- Oman 1
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines 1
- Poland 1
- Portugal 1
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar 1
- Réunion
- Romania
- Russia 1
- Samoa
- San Marino 1
- Saudi Arabia 1
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore 1
- Slovakia 1
- Slovenia 1
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain 1
- Sri Lanka
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Sweden 1
- Switzerland 1
- Taiwan 1
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkey 1
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates 1
- United Kingdom 1
- United States America 1
- Uruguay
- U.S. Virgin Islands Virgin
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City 1
- Vietnam 1
1 with 5G NR access
If you get this eSIM from SimOptions, which I recommend, you will pay 39.90 USD.
The main issue I have with the AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM is its short validity.
Making it hard to call it an actual global eSIM… unless you can somehow visit 140+ countries within 15 day – something not even I can do🧐.
Still, it is a relatively affordable global eSIM covering 140+ countries… with 5G NR access!
Nomad Global eSIM (5G NR Access in United Arab Emirates)
Besides Nomad's eSIM for United Arab Emirates, it also has a global eSIM that can be used in United Arab Emirates and a total of 109/139 countries (including most European ones).
While Nomad's Global eSIM covers a few more countries than Airalo's Discover(+) eSIMs (109/139 vs. 130 (previously 85+)), it is significantly more expensive than Airalo (but not the most costly global eSIM in this guide).
Even so, Phone Travel Wiz readers have shown interest in this eSIM and have had positive experiences with it, especially after Nomad improved it (with its 139 Country Plan powered by eSIM Go (has 5G NR access in 50+ countries) instead of the 109 Country Plan by Truphone (4G/LTE only).
Anyway, you have these six Nomad Global eSIMs:
- Global (109 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 25 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Global (139 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 19 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Global (109 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Global (139 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Global (109 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Global (139 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 57 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only).
The Nomad Global eSIM can be used in the following 109 (Truphone)/139 (eSIM Go) countries:
- Åland Islands 2, 3
- Albania
- Algeria 2
- Andorra 2
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan 2
- Bahrain 2, 3
- Bangladesh 2
- Barbados 1
- Belarus 2
- Belgium
- Bermuda 1
- Bolivia 2
- Bosnia & Herzegovina 2
- Botswana 2
- Brazil
- Brunei 2
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Cameroon 2
- Canada 2, 3
- Central African Republic 2
- Chad 2
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2
- Congo, Republic of the
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic 2
- Ecuador
- Egypt 2
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Eswatini 2, 3
- Faroe Islands 1
- Fiji 1
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana 1
- French Southern Territories 2
- Gabon 2
- Georgia 2
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland 2
- Grenada 1
- Guadeloupe 1
- Guam 2
- Guatemala
- Guernsey
- Guinea-Bissau 2
- Guyana 1
- Holy See (Vatican City) 1
- Honduras 1
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India 2
- Indonesia
- Iraq 2
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast 2
- Jamaica 1
- Japan
- Jersey
- Jordan 2
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya 2
- Kosovo 2
- Kuwait 2, 3
- Kyrgyzstan 2
- Laos 2
- Latvia
- Liberia 2
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau 2
- Madagascar 2
- Malawi 2
- Malaysia
- Mali 2
- Malta
- Martinique 1
- Mayotte 1
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat 1
- Morocco 2
- Mozambique 1
Myanmar 2- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger 2
- Nigeria 2
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman 2
- Pakistan 2
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico 1
- Qatar
- Réunion
- Romania
- Russia 2
- Saint Kitts & Nevis 1
- Saint Lucia 1
- Samoa 1
- San Marino 1
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal 2
- Serbia
- Seychelles 2
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands 1
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname 1
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan 2
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Trinidad & Tobago 1
- Tunisia 2
- Turkey
- Turks & Caicos 1
- Uganda 2
- Ukraine 2
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States 2, 3
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan 2
- Vanuatu 1
- Vietnam
- Yemen 2
- Zambia 2
1 109 Countries Plan (Truphone) only
2 139 Countries Plan (eSIM Go) only
3 5G NR access (if you have the 139 Countries Plan (eSIM GO) – does not apply to the 109 Countries Plan (Truphone)
Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.75 EUR/2.35 GBP/4 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!
Overview of the Best eSIMs for the United Arab Emirates (Airalo vs. Holafly vs. Nomad vs. SimCorner)
I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in the United Arab Emirates.
But I also informed you that you can get a Etisalat UAE, Du UAE & Virgin Mobile UAE eSIM, which is available to prepaid customers too.
However, you will have to deal with the Emirati SIM card registration requirements (and internet censorship).
These are things you do not have to deal with the travel eSIMs offered by Airalo, Holafly, Nomad & SimCorner.
So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:
- Airalo United Arab Emirates Burj Mobile eSIM (top pick)
- Airalo Menalink eSIM
- Holafly United Arab Emirates eSIM
- Nomad United Arab Emirates eSIM
- Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (
reasonableextensive global coverage (84+125+ countries) at attractive prices + calling and texting options (new)) - AIS eSIM2FLY Global eSIM through SimOptions with 5G NR access in United Arab Emirates (eSIM with the most 5G NR supported countries (53/143) at a reasonable price but with a short validity)
- Nomad International eSIM
- Nomad Global eSIM (extensive global coverage (109/139 countries) at high(er) prices)
Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly and SimCorner eSIMs, and code ADU123 for Nomad eSIMs – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.
Buying a SIM Card in the United Arab Emirates
Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?
Consider getting an Emirati SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.
Or you can get the SimCorner United Arab Emirates SIM card, which will be delivered to your home before going to United Arab Emirates – convenient 😏.