Anyone visiting or living in Dubai, who is over 18, can apply for a pre-paid mobile phone account – you just need to buy a SIM card and then you can pay as you go by purchasing top-up phone cards. 

Newcomers to Dubai and short-term visitors often opt for a pre-paid service: there are no monthly bills, you don’t sign a contract, you can cancel at any time, and you do not need a residence visa.

Etisalat’s pre-paid Wasel card and du’s Pay As You Go cards can be topped up with credit to use for calls, SMS and the internet. Recharge cards are available in denominations ranging from Dhs.20-500 from fuel stations, supermarkets and electrical stores.

Prerequisites
Etisalat & du

• UAE resident
• Aged 18 years or over
• Unlocked mobile phone

What to bring
Etisalat 

• Passport with visit or residence visa (copy)

        OR

• Resident ID (copy)
• Dhs.40 to purchase SIM card (includes Dhs.5 free credit)

du

• Passport with visit or residence visa (copy)

        OR

• Resident ID (copy)
• Dhs.55 to purchase SIM card (includes Dhs.10 free credit and 100MB free data valid for 30 days).

​Procedure
Etisalat & du

• Etisalat business centre, or Etisalat or du outlets.
• Collect application form from any Etisalat or du office, or authorised vendor.
• Complete the form in English or Arabic (typed or handwritten).
• Submit all documents with the form..
• Pay a one-off fee (cash or credit card).
• A salesperson will give you a SIM card (with number) on the spot.
• Buy pay-as-you-go phone cards from shops, petrol stations and supermarkets.

Etisalat

• Free Wasel subscriptions are available with some mobile phone purchases.
• Order online at e4me.ae or call 7000 11 111 and your card will be delivered to you anywhere in the UAE within 24 hours.
• The mobile phone rental can be renewed each year for Dhs.100.

du

• Choose from four WoW recharge options: More Time, More International, More Data, or More Credit.
• To activate the du lifetime offer, call 135 and choose option 5. You’ll be charged a one-off subscription fee of Dhs.20 (unless you use Dhs.500 a year.