Dubai SIM Card for Indian Tourists (2026)

Dubai SIM Card for Indian Tourists (2026)

Short answer: a Dubai eSIM bought in India costs ₹380 for 1 GB / 7 days or ₹1,140 for 5 GB / 30 days. Jio's Gulf roaming pack starts at ₹898 for 1 GB / 7 days but includes calls, which matters if you will ring family or hotels a lot. Prices checked 28 Oct 2026.

Your three options, in rupees

Prices checked 28 Oct 2026: Simnity plans from the live simnity.com catalogue (data only); Jio packs from jio.com; Airtel packs from airtel.in. Operator packs include calls and SMS on your Indian number where listed.

Dubai SIM price in Indian rupees

• Cheapest: ₹380 for 1 GB / 7 days, enough for maps and messaging on a short stopover.
• A week of sightseeing with Instagram and video calls: ₹1,140 for 5 GB, valid 30 days.
• Need calls on your Indian number: Jio's ₹898 Gulf pack includes 100 minutes out and 100 in. Airtel's ₹2,998 pack covers 30 days with 300 minutes.

Before you fly from India

• Visa: most Indian tourists need a UAE tourist visa arranged before travel through a UAE sponsor (hotel, airline or tour operator): AED 200 for 30 days or AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. Source: GDRFA Dubai.
• Visa on arrival: Indians holding a US green card or visa, or a UK or EU residence visa (valid 6+ months), can get a 14-day visa on arrival, extendable once. Check your case on the GDRFA portal before flying.
• No online arrival form was found on official UAE sites.
• Install the eSIM at home; it connects when you land at DXB or AUH.

Entry rules checked 22 Oct 2026 on official government sites. Rules change, so confirm before you travel.

Keeping your Indian number for bank and UPI OTPs

• Keep your Indian SIM switched on as the second line, with its mobile data off. Use the eSIM line for data.
• Jio says incoming SMS are free while roaming. Prepaid users must buy an IR pack at least once to switch roaming on, so check it is active before you fly.
• Airtel prepaid offers a ₹118 roaming activation, valid 28 days, with unlimited incoming SMS (an active domestic plan is needed; calls and data are then charged at standard rates).

Full comparison: Jio vs Airtel roaming vs eSIM.

Set it up before you leave India

1. Check your phone supports eSIM: device list.
2. Buy the UAE eSIM and install it at home on Wi-Fi (install guide).
3. When you land, switch on the eSIM line and turn on data roaming for that line only.
4. Keep your Indian SIM on for calls and SMS, with its data off.

Not sure how much data you need? See how much data for travel.