SIM card registration laws, policies & regulations – something you probably have to deal with when purchasing local SIM cards.
Unfortunately, many countries requires customers to hand over some personal data before you can use a local prepaid SIM card.
But how many countries (and territories) actually do have SIM card registration laws?
Of the 245 countries/territories with territory-bound mobile operators, 185 countries have SIM card registration laws. 13 will collect biometrics (fingerprints, but some will take a face scan too). 51 countries have no registration requirements.
This will probably change in the coming years because more countries want to introduce SIM card registration policies.
Most countries claim this is for security reasons, such as limiting mobile/online-related crime or limiting/preventing terrorism.
Other governments do this for spying purposes (but you should not worry too much about this in many countries. Most governments have better things to focus on).
I say most… as there are a dozen or so countries where they do spy on you to ensure you do not… well… do anything they do not like.
Anyway, even though SIM card registration is required in most countries, these laws do not prevent travelers from getting local prepaid SIM cards in most cases.
Sure, it may not be as convenient as grabbing a starter pack in a grocery store, popping the SIM card in, and continuing your day.
But you will still be saving money compared to international roaming nevertheless.
In the majority of countries, you should buy the SIM card in the official stores of the mobile operator, even when third parties (like kiosks) sell them.
Some third parties can register SIM cards from the local population but not travelers.
So save time and head straight to the mobile operator.
However, in some countries, like Australia, you can buy starter packs from many stores and simply register them online.
But I have to say, Australia is somewhat of an exception – most nations do not make it that easy for you.
Brazil, for example, force you to buy a SIM card from a newsstand. Afterward, you can go to the store of the mobile operator for registration.
This is because Brazillian mobile operators cannot sell SIM cards without entering a tax ID, which you will not have as a traveler.
But when you go back with an inactive SIM card, then they can register it.
Yeah… does not make much sense, right? 🥴
But beware – SIM card registration is not always just showing your passport.
In some nations, your visa details will be checked, a photograph of you will be taken, or even biometrics (like fingerprints) also must be taken.
Luckily, only a handful of countries go that far (but those are not the most privacy-friendly countries anyway).
If the idea of handing over your personal details to suspicious governments does not sit well with you, consider a travel eSIMs from Airalo or Nomad or travel/international SIM cards from SimCorner.
All eSIMs from Airalo, except for the Maldives, do not require any KYC (Know Your Customer) checks – the same applies to all SimCorner SIM cards.
I have used various eSIMs from Airalo and Nomad extensively, as well as SIM cards from SimCorner – they work amazingly.
For Nomad eSIMs, use code ADU123 to Phone Travel Wiz for the best deals available. The links to Airalo and SimCorner above will automatically get you the Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers available – a code is not necessary (although you can use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for SimCorner if you want to be safe).
Okay, if you still want to know the SIM card registration requirements of countries globally, use the tool below.
Note: depending on the device you are using, you may have to scroll right to see additional columns, such as crucial notes where applicable
For your convenience, I will also list the requirements in a large table below (in case the tool above does not load or it looks weird on mobile (may happen on really old smartphnones).
While not the true focus of this page and tool, be aware some countries impose a limit on the number of (prepaid) SIM cards one can have.
For example, in Saudi Arabia, travelers can only register two prepaid SIM cards, while residents can have 10.
Honduras, on the other hand, limits the number of active SIM cards anyone can have to five – even though there are only two mobile operators there.
In many but not all countries, you need to be 16 years or older to purchase and register SIM cards.
And there are some countries with IMEI registration requirements.
Yes, some countries do not make things easy for us 🥲.
| Country | Registration Required? | Required Process | Online Registration Possible? | SIM Card Activation Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abkhazia | Unknown (probably not) | Unknown | Unknown | Instant | – |
| Afghanistan | Yes | Show passport at the point of | No | Instant | – |
| Åland Islands | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | |
| Albania | Yes | Show passport (or EU/EEA ID) at the point of sale. Sometimes, your place of stay in Albania will be asked for too | No | Instant | — |
| Algeria | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| American Samoa | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | |
| Andorra | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | Yes, if purchasing an eSIM through the site of Andorra Telecom | Instant if bought in an Andorra Telecom store. Up to two business days when ordering an eSIM on the Andorra Telecom site | – |
| Angola | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your visa details will be checked and verified too | No | Instant | – |
| Anguilla | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Argentina | Yes | Show passport at the official stores of the mobile operator (even if you bought your SIM card from a third party) or online | Yes, through Facebook & Twitter (DM “#NOMI” and an agent will give you instructions – can be in English too upon request) | Instant if purchased in the official store of the mobile operator. Up to a few minutes when done through social media | – |
| Armenia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Aruba | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Ascension Island | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Australia | Yes | Show passport at the official stores of the mobile operator (even if you bought your SIM card from a third party) or online. Your place of stay in Australia will also be asked for | Yes, on sites or apps | Instant with most mobile operators, up to 24 hours (on a business day) with some mobile operators | Your visa needs to be valid for the registration process to be successful. However, some mobile operators allow for identity confirmation with a debit/credit card (0.01/1 AUD will be reserved or charged). Then your visa details will not be checked, somehow |
| Austria | Yes | Show passport at the official stores of the mobile operator (even if you bought your SIM card from a third party) or online | Yes | Instant if done in the store of the mobile operator. Up to 15 minutes if done online | Mobile operators may charge you up to 20 EUR (!) for registration (especially at Vienna Airport). However, registration can always be done for free online (an honest salesperson will inform you about this). The process is not difficult, although some instructions may be in German |
| Azerbaijan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your visa details will be checked and verified too | No | Instant | Be aware of the IMEI registration scheme too, which will apply if you stay in Azerbaijan for more than 30 days. Luckily, the registration fee is a modest 6 AZN (about 3.50 USD) |
| Bahamas | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale AND another form of identification (national ID, driver's license, etc.) | No | Instant | – |
| Bahrain | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Fingerprints will also be taken | No | Instant | If you keep your Bahraini SIM card active for a long time, you need to re-register every year. However, this can be done by texting a code or dialing a USSD code – you are then not required to visit the mobile operator |
| Bangladesh | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your visa details will be checked and verified too | Yes, Skitto only | Instant – up to a few minutes with Skitto | Sometimes, a store may request passport-sized photos, but this is uncommon nowadays. Moreover, some sources claim fingerprints are also taken, but I have had no experience with that in Bangladesh |
| Barbados | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Belarus | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Belgium | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant or up to three business day | While employees may say it can take up to three business days before your details have been verified, be sure to head back to the store after a day. Registration with foreign ID is a difficult and two-step process, an employee has told me, which often results in “applications” being rejected |
| Belize | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Benin | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Bermuda | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Bhutan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale, hand over a passport-sized photo & fingerprints will be taken | No | Instant | Most stores will take a photo for you, but they will appreciate it if you bring a photo yourself |
| Bolivia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Bonaire | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Botswana | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Brazil | Yes | Show passport at the official stores of the mobile operator (even if you bought your SIM card from a third party) AND show CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física) | No | Instant up to 15 minutes | A kind reader named Chris informed me that purchasing a Brazilian SIM card has become a bit more complicated in recent years. Nowadays, you have to get your SIM card from a newsstand (or another third party) and then go (back) to the store of the mobile operator, as the store CANNOT sell SIM cards to those without a CPF |
| British Virgin Islands (BVI) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Brunei | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Bulgaria | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Burkina Faso | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Burundi | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Cambodia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your visa details will be checked and verified too | No | Instant | – |
| Cameroon | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your visa details will be checked and verified too | No | Instant | – |
| Canada | No | N/A – while no true registration is required, the SIM card should be activated instead. This can be done in the store of the mobile operator or online | N/A – activation can be done online | Instant up to a business day | – |
| Cape Verde | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Cayman Islands | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Central African Republic | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Chad | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Channel Islands (Jersey & Guernsey) | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Chile | No | N/A – although you may be asked for a RUT (Registro Civil) | N/A | Instant | As a traveler, you will not have a RUT. Providing a RUT is somewhat optional for locals, but not required for travelers. If the salesperson insists on a RUT, just make one up with 9 digits |
| China | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale, your place of stay in China & facial scan | No | Instant | It can be a real challenge to get a SIM card in China, especially if you are not staying in tier 1 or tier 2 cities. If you fly from Hong Kong, using a Hong Kong SIM card will be much more convenient. Or travel SIM cards from other (South)East Asian countries. Airalo and Nomad offer eSIMs for China, while SimCorner has travel SIM cards that can be used in China too (read more about eSIMs for China) |
| Colombia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Comoros | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Cook Islands | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Costa Rica | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | SIM cards also have to be registered with the national regulator (SUTEL – Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones). Most mobile operators will do this for you. Otherwise, you can do this online |
| Côte d'Ivoire/Ivory Coast | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Crimea | Unknown (probably yes) | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | – |
| Croatia | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Cuba | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Curaçao | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Cyprus | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Czech Republic | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Denmark | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | You can only choose Lebara Denmark or Lycamobile Denmark. While there are other mobile operators offering prepaid services, you need a Danish CPR number (person number) to activate them. Stick with the two mentioned above |
| Djibouti | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Dominica | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Dominican Republic | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| East Timor (Timor-Leste) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Ecuador | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Egypt | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Sometimes, your place of stay in Egypt will be asked for too | No | Instant | – |
| El Salvador | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Equatorial Guinea | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale AND two passport-sized photos | No | Instant | It is recommended to bring the passport-sized photos yourself |
| Eritrea | Yes | See notes | No | Unknown | Travelers cannot purchase prepaid SIM cards in Eritrea. Residents can, but I do not know about the requirements for residents |
| Estonia | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Eswatini (Swaziland) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Ethiopia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale AND one passport-sized photo | No | Instant | If you wish to leave the Ethio Telecom store quickly, bring your own photo |
| Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Faroe Islands | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Fiji | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Finland | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| France | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant to up to one business day | – |
| French Guiana | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| French Polynesia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Gabon | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your visa details will be checked and verified too | No | Instant | – |
| Gambia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Georgia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Germany | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale or at the store of the mobile operator if purchased from a third party that cannot do registration | No | Instant up to 24 hours | Registration is often free, but you may be charged 10 EUR. If not purchased from the mobile operators or Mediamarkt, registration fees can be higher. It is free in post offices if you fill in a form beforehand. Else, use video identification (Online ID/Video Ident, or WebID). |
| Ghana | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Gibraltar | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Greece | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | Vodafone (CU) SIM cards may not have 4G/LTE until the next business day. Be aware that most stores close around 14:00/15:00 on Saturdays and are not open on Sundays, leaving you with slow 3G for the weekend |
| Greenland | Yes, but see notes | CPR number confirmation (local persons number) | Yes | Instant | Tusass does not sell prepaid SIM cards anymore since 2021. When they still did, you were charged around 100 USD for 1 GB of data (Pay As You Go rates). Consider the Airalo eSIM (Nuuk Mobile with 1 GB for 9 USD valid for 7 days) |
| Grenada | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Guadeloupe | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Guam | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Guatemala | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Guinea | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Guinea-Bissau | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Guyana | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Haiti | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Honduras | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Hong Kong | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Hungary | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Iceland | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| India | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale, one passport-sized photo & proof of stay in India AND your home address | No | Instant up to 24 hours | For proof of stay while staying in a hotel, bring a visitor card. To be completely safe, get a letter from the front desk staff (as some stores will ask you for that one). If you are staying with friends or at an Airbnb, the mobile operator may call the host (Know Your Customer process). Getting a SIM card at an airport will be much quicker, but you will pay a premium |
| Indonesia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | Be aware of the IMEI registration scheme too. It was introduced in April 2020, and I have not been in Indonesia since 2019. I will provide info/tips once I have something to share |
| Iran | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your visa details will be checked and verified too | No | Instant | Be aware of the IMEI registration scheme too, which will apply if you stay in Iran for more than 30 days. How it works, I cannot tell yet |
| Iraq | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Ireland | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Isle of Man | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Israel | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Italy | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Jamaica | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Japan | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | The last time I was in Japan, I replied on WiFi all the time (why – I cannot tell, lmao). I do know that you can only buy data-only SIM cards in Japan |
| Jordan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Kazakhstan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | Be aware of the IMEI registration scheme too. Unlike most countries with IMEI registration, this scheme is straightforward and free in Kazakhstan. However, the SIM card you purchased can only be used in the phone (or SIM card slot if you have a dual SIM) it is linked to |
| Kenya | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Kiribati | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Kosovo | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Kuwait | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Kyrgyzstan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Laos | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Latvia | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Lebanon | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | Be aware of the IMEI registration scheme too, which will apply if you stay in Jordan for more than 90 days. However, if you get a tourist SIM card, you will not have to worry about this |
| Lesotho | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Liberia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Libya | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale AND one passport-sized photo | No | Instant | – |
| Liechtenstein | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | You have to buy a SIM card in Switzerland (although there is one store selling Lycamobile SIM cards in Liechtenstein) |
| Lithuania | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Luxembourg | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Macau | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Madagascar | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Malawi | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Malaysia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | Yes | Instant | – |
| Maldives | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Mali | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Malta | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | For some reason, registration is not strictly enforced. I was able to buy three SIM cards without anyone asking for my passport. However, people behind me, also travelers, did have to show their passports. I guess I was lucky? |
| Marshall Islands | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | – |
| Martinique | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Mauritania | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Mauritius | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Mayotte | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Mexico | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Micronesia | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Moldova | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Monaco | Yes, but see notes | Yes | Unknown | Instant | Monaco does not sell prepaid SIM cards anymore |
| Mongolia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Montenegro | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Montserrat | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Morocco | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Mozambique | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Myanmar (Burma) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | – |
| Namibia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Nauru | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Nepal | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Netherlands | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| New Caledonia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| New Zealand | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Nicaragua | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Niger | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Nigeria | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Fingerprints will also be taken | No | Instant | Locals need to provide their NIN (National Identity Number). Travelers will not have such a number, so your visa details will be used instead |
| Niue | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | |
| Norfolk Island | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| North Korea | Yes | Unknown | No | Unknown | I have yet to visit North Korea… and I do not think I will be doing so anytime soon |
| North Macedonia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | |
| Northern Cyprus | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | |
| Norway | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | |
| Oman | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | |
| Pakistan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Fingerprints will also be taken | No | Instant | Apparently, you also need to whitelist your phone with the PTA (Pakistan Telecommunications Authority) if you plan on staying for more than 14 days. I have no experience with this process |
| Palau | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Palestine | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | – |
| Panama | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Papua New Guinea (PNG) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Paraguay | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Peru | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Philippines | No (yes soon) | Show passport at the point of sale (most likely) | No | Instant (most likely) | After a 6-month delay, the new president signed a SIM card registration bill into law on the 10th of October 2022 (Republic Act 11934). It will take at least 180 days (8th of April 2023) before the law takes effect (but mobile operators can request a 120-day extension (6th of August 2023) |
| Poland | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | Most convenience stores can register your SIM card on the spot, but not all of them. Just head to the next one, and you will be good to go |
| Portugal | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Qatar | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Réunion | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Romania | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Russia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your visa details will be checked and verified too | No | Instant | – |
| Rwanda | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Saba | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Saint Barthélemy (St Barts) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Saint Helena | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Saint Lucia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Saint Martin | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Samoa | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| San Marino | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant up to 1 business day (but often in just less than an hour) | – |
| Saudi Arabia (KSA) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Fingerprints will also be taken | No | Instant | – |
| Senegal | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Serbia | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Seychelles | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Sierra Leone | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Singapore | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | Yes | Instant | – |
| Sint Eustatius | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Sint Maarten | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Slovakia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Slovenia | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Solomon Islands | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Somalia | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | – |
| Somaliland | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | – |
| South Africa | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your place of stay in South Africa will be asked for too (RICA) | No | Instant | RICA officially required proof of permanent residence in South Africa. However, most RICA agents will allow for your temporary residence (like your hostel or Airbnb). If the agent is being difficult, go to another one – there are plenty of them |
| South Korea | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| South Ossetia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| South Sudan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Spain | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Sri Lanka | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Sudan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Suriname | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Sweden | Yes | N/A | N/A | Instant | New as of August 2022 |
| Switzerland | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Syria | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Taiwan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Tajikistan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Your place of stay in Tajikistan will be asked for too | No | Instant | – |
| Tanzania | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Fingerprints will also be taken | No | Instant | – |
| Thailand | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Fingerprints will also be taken + a face scan | No | Instant | – |
| Togo | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Tonga | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Transnistria (Pridnestrovia) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Tunisia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Turkey | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | Be aware of the IMEI registration scheme too, which will apply if you stay in Turkey for more than 120 days. Registration can cost up to 2000 TRY (135 USD) |
| Turkmenistan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Tuvalu | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Uganda | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale, your visa details will be checked and verified too & fingerprints will also be taken. | No | Instant | – |
| Ukraine | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | With what is going on in the country right now, I am not sure if SIM cards are still sold (to “tourists” right now) |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale, your visa details will be checked and verified too & fingerprints will also be taken. | No | Instant | – |
| United Kingdom (UK) | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| United States (USA) | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Uruguay | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| US Virgin Islands | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Uzbekistan | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Sometimes, your place of stay in Uzbekistan will be asked for too | No | Instant | – |
| Vanuatu | No | N/A | N/A | Instant | – |
| Vatican City | Yes, but see notes | Yes | No | Instant | You can use your Italian SIM card in Vatican City – the city does not sell SIM cards. SIM card registration is required in Italy |
| Venezuela | Yes, but see notes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Unknown | Travelers cannot get SIM cards in Venezuela |
| Vietnam | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Wallis and Futuna | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | – |
| Yemen | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |
| Zambia | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale. Sometimes, your place of stay in Zambia will be asked for too | No | Instant | – |
| Zimbabwe | Yes | Show passport at the point of sale | No | Instant | – |