Best eSIM for Türkiye for Canadian travellers

What to know about staying connected in Türkiye

• A foreign phone with a Turkish SIM must be registered within 120 days of entry. The 2026 registration fee is ₺54,258 (about US$1,200), so short-stay visitors normally don't register.
• Since May 1, 2026, swapping SIMs between slots no longer resets the 120-day clock; unregistered phones past the limit lose signal on all Turkish networks.
• Turkey's regulator blocks access to foreign eSIM providers' websites and apps from Turkish mobile networks. Buy and install your eSIM before you fly; installed eSIMs keep working.
• A travel eSIM roams on Turkish networks, so it doesn't start the 120-day IMEI clock; only a Turkish SIM does.
• Istanbul Airport SIMs need your passport and are pricey: about 1,935 TL for 20 GB with Türk Telekom or 2,550 TL for 25 GB with Turkcell.

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.