Activate before you travel – Why some eSIMs can’t be activated inside certain countries

Think eSIMs work anywhere, anytime?

Well, unfortunately, not always. There are some countries that play a game called “No eSIM activation after arrival”. This means no service and no Internet connection after landing. 

  • Frustrating? Definitely!
  • Avoidable? Luckily, yes! If you know what to do before you travel 😉

So, what’s actually going on and which countries have these activation restrictions?

One of the main reasons some countries block eSIM activations once you’re already there is due to the fact that Governments in certain regions have strict telecom regulations or surveillance policies. They may want to ensure all SIM (and eSIM) activity is traceable and tied to local identity requirements (like showing a passport or ID). 

Two well-known countries with clear eSIM activation restrictions are the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey. In these countries, you can’t purchase or activate a new travel eSIM once you’ve already landed. 

The good news is that you can purchase and activate your eSIM before arrival and if you do so, you will be able to use your data plan without any issues during your trip. Also, if you’re a heavy mobile data user, make sure to top-up your eSIM before your data runs out and while you’re still connected on the existing one. If your data is completely used while you’re in either of the countries mentioned above, you won’t be able to recharge or activate a new eSIM, and this could leave you without service.

Check our data plans for the United Arab Emirates and Turkey and choose the one that fits your needs. Just don’t forget to activate your eSIM before boarding your flight and it will work smoothly and without issues once you land.

Do we know when this will be resolved?

Not exactly at the moment, but our team is closely monitoring the situation and working on possible solutions. Until then, the safest option remains simple:

👉 Activate your eSIM before you travel to countries with known restrictions.

Author: Bianca from MobileSIM