United Arab Emirates eSIM
Prepaid United Arab Emirates travel data from $3.99 USD (500 MB, 1 day). No physical SIM and no contract: you get a QR code by email and install it from your phone's settings. Check your phone
Choose your package
How many days?
Count arrival and departure days.How much data?
Plan details · 5 GB, 7 days
- Coverage
- Single country
- Plan type
- Data only
- Activation
- On network connection
- Hotspot
- Supported
- Top-up
- Not available
Need a particular mobile operator? before you buy.
Full plan terms, coverage & refunds
Data-only eSIM
Validity starts at the first network connection.
Top-ups unavailable. Usage tracking supported. Hotspot supported.
Calls and SMS are not included. Internet calling apps use your data.
Coverage (1 country)
United Arab Emirates
Mobile networks: DU, Etisalat
Refund eligibility depends on the plan and its activation status. Contact Wanderly support before installing or using the eSIM.
Listed network types describe plan support; 4G/5G availability and speeds vary by location and device. Country coverage does not guarantee a signal throughout your route. If you need a specific network or location, confirm it with support before buying.
Refunds: who is eligible and how to request one are set out in our refund policy.
Free eSIM in United Arab Emirates — free data for first-time users, claimed in the Wanderly app.
United Arab Emirates eSIM plans at a glance
Wanderly lists 42 fixed-data United Arab Emirates plans, ranging from 500MB up to 50GB over 1 to 180 days. Prices start at $3.99, and the lowest cost per gigabyte is $1.36/GB on the 50GB 3-day plan.
Unlimited day-passes are also available from $3.99 per day, billed per day rather than per gigabyte. 7 of the 47 United Arab Emirates data-only plans can be topped up without reinstalling the eSIM.
Calls and SMS depend on the selected plan. Install using the supplied QR code and keep your home number on its own line. Activation timing varies by plan; check your selected plan's terms before purchasing or installing.
How much does a United Arab Emirates eSIM cost?
A United Arab Emirates eSIM from Wanderly costs $3.99 for 1GB (7 days), $8.99 for 5GB (5 days) and $27.99 for 20GB (5 days), as a one-off price with no subscription. Larger plans cost less per gigabyte: $3.99/GB at 1GB against $1.40/GB at 20GB.
Cheapest plan that lasts your trip
| Trip | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Long weekend (1GB or more) | 1GB, 7 days | $3.99 |
| One week (3GB or more) | 3GB, 7 days | $6.99 |
| Two weeks (5GB or more) | 5GB, 15 days | $8.99 |
| One month (10GB or more) | 10GB, 30 days | $14.99 |
The data amounts are a starting point. Estimate how much you will use.
Cheapest plan by data size
| Data | Validity | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| 3GB | 3 days | $5.99 | $2.00 |
| 5GB | 5 days | $8.99 | $1.80 |
| 10GB | 7 days | $14.99 | $1.50 |
| 20GB | 5 days | $27.99 | $1.40 |
Cheapest current data-only plan at each size, as charged at checkout. Prices checked November 10, 2026, from the live catalogue. Compare United Arab Emirates with every country in the eSIM Price Index.
🇦🇪 About eSIMs in United Arab Emirates
The UAE is known for fast mobile networks. Current plans list Etisalat and du, the two national carriers, with coverage across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Speed depends on the plan, the network and where you are.
One important note: the UAE government blocks WhatsApp voice and video calls, FaceTime and Zoom on all local networks — including on a Wanderly eSIM, because it roams onto Etisalat/du. Text and photo messages on WhatsApp work fine; only voice/video is blocked.
Data needs are moderate: Careem (the local Uber), Talabat for food, Google Maps for the giant mall interiors, and WhatsApp text for tour operators. 8–10 GB covers a week; two-week travelers usually want 12 GB.
How to activate your eSIM in United Arab Emirates
- 1Time the installationCheck the selected plan's start rule. If it starts on its first network connection and allows installation before travel, install it over reliable Wi-Fi before you fly; if it starts at installation, install it when you need it. The QR code usually arrives by email within minutes.
- 2Enable at DXB or AUHAfter landing, switch data to the UAE eSIM and enable Data Roaming.
- 3Install CareemCareem is the region's dominant ride-hail — cheaper and more available than Uber in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- 4Plan around blocked callsWhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked on all UAE networks. Wanderly plans do not remove this national restriction.
United Arab Emirates eSIM FAQ
Can I use WhatsApp calls in the UAE?
Voice and video calls on WhatsApp, FaceTime and Zoom are blocked by UAE regulation on all local networks including any eSIM roaming there. Text and photo messages work fine.
Which network does the UAE eSIM use?
It depends on the plan. Current UAE plans list Etisalat and du, the two national carriers. The plan details show the network where one is named, so check them before you buy if it matters to you.
Will it work at Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa?
You should have signal in these busy areas, though speed and 5G depend on your plan and the network. Deep inside the largest indoor levels signal can thin briefly, but mall Wi-Fi is available.
Does it work in the desert (Liwa, Hatta)?
Yes at resorts and roads. Deep-desert dune stretches drop signal — normal for the terrain.
How much data for a 5-day Dubai trip?
6–10 GB is comfortable for maps, Careem, translation and social media.
Explore nearby destinations
Popular eSIMs travelers often pair with United Arab Emirates.
