🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

UAE eSIM: anonymous data in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, no ID

$3.60 per GB on e& (Etisalat) and du. No identity check, no account, and a balance that never expires.

Rate

$3.60 / GB

Networks

Etisalat, du

Speed

5G where available

A UAE eSIM gets you online in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates without a local SIM counter. Install it at home, switch it on when you land, and pay only for the data you use. This page covers your options, what a local SIM asks for, which calling apps work, and how to set up before you fly.

Illustrated city skyline and desert dunes at sunset with a palm tree, and a phone showing a SIM chip and a Wi-Fi signal

Do you need a UAE eSIM?

A UAE eSIM is the simplest choice for most short trips, but it isn't the only one. You have three main options.

Roam on your U.S. plan. Nothing to install and your number keeps working. AT&T and Verizon daily passes cost $12 a day, so a 10-day trip used every day comes to $120 per line.
Buy a local tourist SIM or eSIM. e& and du sell visitor plans with data, minutes and a local number, in person at airport counters and stores. e& also offers a free visitor eSIM with 10 GB that lasts one day, a useful stop-gap but not a trip plan.
Use a data eSIM. You install it before you leave, keep your U.S. line for calls and texts, and use the eSIM for data.

UAE eSIM or local SIM: what each one asks for

Local lines in the UAE are tied to your identity. Expect to show the passport you entered the country on and proof of legal entry, such as your entry stamp or visa, and to complete the check in person. The free e& visitor eSIM is activated with facial recognition.

A data eSIM that roams on local networks has no local line to register. MoneroSIM asks for no passport, no address and no account: you pay, receive a recovery token, and install the profile by QR code.

Calling apps in the UAE

The UAE limits internet voice and video calls to licensed services, under rules set by its telecoms regulator, TDRA. Voice and video calls on apps such as WhatsApp and FaceTime are restricted, while their messaging still works. Licensed apps such as BOTIM, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Webex can be used for calls.

The limits are applied by the local networks, so they are reported to apply on roaming connections too, including travel eSIMs. Plan on messaging, approved apps or ordinary calls on your U.S. line. The rules can change, so check before you rely on a specific app.

Coverage, speed and how much data you need

MoneroSIM connects to e& and du, the UAE's two main networks. 5G is strong across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and desert routes to Liwa and Hatta drop to 4G. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports have free Wi-Fi if you need to finish setup on arrival.

Business travelers with heavy video calls and tethering use around 5 to 10 GB a week. A sightseeing trip with maps, ride apps and photo uploads usually needs less.

Set up before you land

Check your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM. Our compatible devices page explains how.
Buy a balance and save your recovery token.
Install the profile on Wi-Fi at home and label it "UAE data".
When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it for cellular data and turn on data roaming for it.
Turn off data roaming on your U.S. line if you don't want a daily pass to start.

What you get

Per-megabyte billing at $3.60 per GB on original credit, $7.20 per GB on retail top-up credit
Coverage in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the emirates on e& and du
No passport, no address, no account
Hotspot and tethering included
Balance never expires
Top up any amount with your recovery token

Pick the guide that matches your trip

Tourists and short tripsUnited Arab Emirates data for a tourist Business travelUnited Arab Emirates data for a business traveller Digital nomadsUnited Arab Emirates data for a digital nomad

Questions about using data here

Will my phone work in the UAE?

Any carrier-unlocked phone with eSIM support works. The profile connects to e& and du.

Do I need a passport for this eSIM?

No. Local SIMs need your passport and proof of entry; MoneroSIM doesn't ask for ID.

Can I make WhatsApp calls in the UAE?

Voice and video calls on WhatsApp and FaceTime are restricted on UAE networks. Messaging works, and licensed apps such as BOTIM, Zoom and Teams can be used for calls.

Do I have to activate anything on arrival?

No. Install once, turn on data roaming for the line, and it connects when you land. Billing starts only when data flows.

Can I use it for hotspot?

Yes, at the same rate with no surcharge.

Is Etisalat the same as e&?

Yes. Etisalat now trades as e&, and the network is the same.

What are the emergency numbers in the UAE?

999 for police, 998 for ambulance and 997 for fire, according to the UAE government portal.

Get a UAE eSIM without showing ID

One balance, 200+ countries, no expiry. Pay with Monero, Bitcoin, Lightning, USDT or card.

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