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Best eSIM for the United Arab Emirates for Canadian travellers

A week of roaming with Rogers or Telus in the United Arab Emirates costs about $126. A travel eSIM covering the same week starts around US$7.93. Here's what the plans cost, what's different about staying connected in the United Arab Emirates, and how to set it up before you fly.

By the Viorvo team · Checked

Our pick for a week in the United Arab Emirates

Simple one-week planYesim 3 GB for 30 days · US$7.93A week of roaming with Rogers or Telus costs about $126. Install the eSIM at home before you fly.
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Roaming vs eSIM for a week in the United Arab Emirates

Roaming, 7 days$1267 × $18 international (Rogers/Telus); Bell 7 × $16 = $112. CAD before tax.
Travel eSIM, 7 daysUS$7.93Yesim UAE 3 GB / 30 days

Daily rates from MobileSyrup (March 2026): Rogers and Telus $16 a day in the US and $18 internationally, Bell $13 and $16. This country is billed at the international rate.

Compare plans

eSIM plans for the United Arab Emirates

PlanDataPriceNetwork
AiraloBurj Mobile 1 GB1 GB3 daysUS$4.00Etisalat · 5GView ↗
YesimOur pickUAE 3 GB3 GB30 daysUS$7.935GView ↗
AiraloBurj Mobile 5 GB5 GB7 daysUS$11.00Etisalat · 5GView ↗
YesimUAE 5 GB5 GB30 daysUS$12.465GView ↗
YesimUAE UnlimitedUnlimited (fair use)7 daysUS$31.725GView ↗
AiraloBurj Mobile 20 GB20 GB30 daysUS$34.00Etisalat · 5GView ↗

Prices in US dollars as shown on esimdb.com on October 1, 2026. esimdb also lists new-user promo codes, so the price at checkout can differ slightly. Plans are data-only unless the provider says otherwise. Viorvo may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

What to know about staying connected in the United Arab Emirates

  • Airalo's UAE eSIM page shows Etisalat as the network its eSIM plans use.
  • The Government of Canada says UAE authorities restrict the use of virtual private networks (VPNs). It also warns that online behaviour laws are strict and apply to social media, and it advises avoiding public Wi-Fi.
  • Voice and video calls on WhatsApp and FaceTime are blocked in the UAE, but text messages work. Two licensed calling apps, Botim and C'Me, need a paid subscription (secondary source, updated July 18, 2026).
  • VPNs are not banned outright in the UAE, but using one to reach blocked content or blocked calling services is forbidden under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 (law firm summary, November 2024). Simology also calls it technically illegal and says enforcement against tourists is rare.

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.
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Questions

Common questions

How much does roaming cost in the United Arab Emirates with a Canadian phone plan?

Rogers and Telus charge $18 a day and Bell $16 a day for their daily roaming add-on in the United Arab Emirates (CAD, before tax, as of March 2026). A 7-day trip comes to about $126 with Rogers or Telus.

How much is an eSIM for the United Arab Emirates?

The cheapest plan we found was Airalo 1 GB for 3 days at US$4.00. For a typical week, Yesim UAE 3 GB / 30 days costs US$7.93 (prices checked October 1, 2026).

Will a travel eSIM give me a local phone number?

Usually not. Most travel eSIMs from Airalo and Yesim are data-only. Apps like WhatsApp still work over data, and you can keep your Canadian line switched on for texts, but calls or data on your Canadian line can trigger your carrier's daily fee.

Sources

Checked October 1, 2026. Prices, rules and fees change, so confirm before you travel.

eSIM for the United Arab Emiratesfrom US$4 ↗