Best eSIM for Pakistan for Canadian travellers

What to know about staying connected in Pakistan

• A foreign phone with a local Pakistani SIM works for 60 days with no registration or tax. After 60 days it stops getting service unless it is registered and the tax and customs duty are paid.
• Visitors can apply for temporary registration of up to 120 days from arrival. It needs passport checks, a local SIM issued in your name, payment of the applicable customs duties, and the phone is tied to that one SIM.
• The PTA FAQs say users on roaming services keep using their phones without registration. The FAQs do not say anything specific about data-only eSIMs, so check with PTA if your stay is long.
• Airalo's Pakistan eSIM runs on Zong (plus one other network) and is data-only.

How to set up your eSIM

Do this at home on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly, so you land connected.

• To check if your iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About. If Carrier Lock says 'No SIM restrictions', it's unlocked. Only your carrier can unlock it.
• An iPhone can store eight or more eSIMs. To add one from a QR code, scan it with the Camera app, tap 'Cellular Plan Detected', then tap Add Cellular Plan.
• On arrival, choose which line your iPhone uses for data in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. If your home line stays on, you might still be charged roaming fees by your home carrier.
• Data Roaming on iPhone is under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. It lets you use data on networks outside your carrier's coverage.
• On Samsung Galaxy phones, add an eSIM in Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM, by QR code or activation code. Even listed models may not support eSIM depending on country of origin.
• Pixel 7 and later can use two eSIM profiles at once. Google suggests using a prepaid international eSIM and activating it when you arrive to avoid roaming charges.