Middle East & N. Africa eSIM
A travel eSIM for Middle East & N. Africa starts at $17.99 (sample) for 5 GB. Choose from 3 plans with up to 20 GB, valid 15–30 days. 3 of 3 plans allow hotspot, and on dual-SIM phones your own SIM stays active for calls and texts. Validity starts on first connection, so you can install it before you leave.
Sample plans for development. Prices, data amounts and availability shown here are placeholders, not live offers. Real plans will appear once an eSIM provider is connected.
Visiting the Gulf, Jordan, Egypt or Morocco on one trip? A regional travel eSIM can cover several countries with a single installation.
Selected · sample data
20 GB · 30 days · $45.99
Can I buy now and travel later?Yes — this plan's validity starts when it first connects to a network in Middle East & N. Africa, so you can install it before you leave.
Trip planner
Pick your trip length and how you use your phone — we'll estimate your data and filter the plans for you.
Your estimate
~9 GB
For 7 days of moderate use, including a small buffer.
No plan matches exactly — showing the closest options. You may need a top-up or a second plan.
Matching plans
2
From (sample)
$27.99
A rough guide only — actual use depends on your apps and settings.
Compare plans
Regional and global plans that cover this route.
Calculated from the sample plans listed on this page.
Price per GB
Lower is better value. Unlimited plans aren't shown — they have no fixed allowance.
Switch the list below to Table to see every value side by side.
Regional · 12 countries
5 GB
15 days
Sample price$17.99
Select planProduct ID: middle-east-north-africa-5gb-15d
Regional · 12 countries
10 GB
30 days
Sample price$27.99
Select planProduct ID: middle-east-north-africa-10gb-30d
Regional · 12 countries
20 GB
30 days
Sample price$45.99
Select planProduct ID: middle-east-north-africa-20gb-30d
Setup
Three steps, a few minutes. Do the first two at home; switch the eSIM on when you land.
Pick the data and number of days that cover your trip. Every plan shows its price, coverage and hotspot terms up front.
iPhone: Settings › Cellular › Add eSIM › Use QR Code. Android: Settings › Network & internet › SIMs › Add eSIM. Do it at home on Wi-Fi.
Set the eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for it. Keep roaming off on your home SIM.
Exact menu paths for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. Names vary slightly by software version.
Connect to reliable Wi-Fi.
Open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data) → Add eSIM.
Choose Use QR Code and scan the code from your provider (or use their install link).
Label the new line, e.g. "Travel".
On arrival: set the travel line for Cellular Data and turn on Data Roaming for that line if your provider requires it.
Connect to reliable Wi-Fi.
Open Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM.
Scan the QR code from your provider.
On arrival: in SIM manager, set the eSIM for Mobile data.
Turn on Data roaming for the eSIM if required.
Connect to reliable Wi-Fi.
Open Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM.
Choose to download a SIM and scan the QR code.
On arrival: set the eSIM as your mobile data SIM.
Turn on Roaming for the eSIM if required.
Install before you leave for Middle East & N. Africa, then switch lines after you land. Menu names vary by software version and region.
Compare before you buy
How the Middle East & N. Africa plans on this page compare with four popular travel eSIM brands. Our column uses this page's plans; the others summarise each brand's public website.
| On this pageData Roaming |  Airalo |  Holafly |  Nomad |  Jetpac | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plans | 3 plans, up to 20 GB, from $17.99 (sample) | Data packages (GB) for local, regional and global use; unlimited packages in some destinations | Unlimited data by the day (1–90 days) in 200+ destinations; monthly subscription plans | Local and regional data plans, long-term Global-EX plans; unlimited plans in some destinations | Data packs by destination and region |
| Buy without an app | Web checkout — opens once a provider is connected (sample plans can't be bought yet) | Website or app | Website or app | Web store or app | Website or app |
| Refund | See our refund policy | Requested from your account; expired or fully used eSIMs aren't eligible. “Wrong purchase” and “Plans changed” are refunded as Airmoney credit only | Full refund if not activated, within 6 months of purchase (bought from Holafly directly); activated eSIMs reviewed case by case | Within 30 days; full refund if not installed or activated. Unlimited plans follow a separate policy | No refund once installed, except technical problems (within 30 days). Money-back guarantee on website purchases if your phone isn't compatible or can't connect |
| Hotspot | Allowed on 3 of 3 plans | Allowed if your device and the network support it | Limited to a set GB allowance per destination | Supported; stability can vary by device and network | Allowed |
| Top up the same eSIM | Shown on each plan once a provider is connected | Yes, on rechargeable eSIMs | No — buy a new plan for extra days | Yes, with add-on data plans | Yes — reuse the same eSIM with a new data pack |
| Support | Contact form on this website | 24/7 live chat | 24/7 chat, WhatsApp and email | 24/7 live chat and email | 24/7 via the app or website |
Provider details are summarised from each company's own website, checked on 3 October 2026. Terms change, so check the provider's site before you buy. Brand names and logos are trademarks of their owners; Data Roaming isn't affiliated with these companies.
Airalo
Holafly
Nomad
Jetpac
| On this pageTravel eSIMPlans on this page | Carrier roamingYour current plan | Local SIMBought on arrival | Pocket Wi-FiRented device | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price for Middle East & N. Africa | From $17.99 (sample), prepaid | Depends on your carrier and plan | Local prices, paid in store | Daily rental fee, often plus a deposit |
| Set up before you travel | Install at home by QR code | Usually nothing to set up | Buy after you land | Book ahead, collect on arrival |
| Keep your number | On dual-SIM phones | Yes | Only on dual-SIM phones | Yes — your phone uses Wi-Fi |
| Hotspot | Allowed on 3 of 3 plans | Depends on your plan | Usually allowed | Built for sharing |
| Needs | eSIM-compatible, unlocked phone | Roaming enabled on your account | Unlocked phone; ID in some countries | Device to carry, charge and return |
Coverage
The Middle East and North Africa are outside EU roaming rules, so roaming on a home plan can be relatively expensive for many travelers. A regional eSIM is one way to get predictable data costs across stopovers and multi-country itineraries.
Gulf cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh generally have excellent mobile coverage.
Coverage in desert areas, mountains and remote archaeological sites can be limited.
Country lists vary widely between plans — check each country, including stopover hubs.
Countries commonly covered (12)
Country lists vary by plan — check each plan's coverage before buying.
Regional plans connect to a partner network in each covered country. The networks used vary by country and provider.
General reference information. The network a specific eSIM uses is shown on the plan once confirmed by the provider.
4.9 out of 5 from 4 customer reviews
Japan Travel eSIM
I used a travel eSIM during my trip to Japan and it was much easier than relying on international roaming. I activated it before my flight and had mobile data as soon as I arrived.
Sarah M.
International Travel
Having a separate data plan made things much simpler. I could keep my main SIM active for calls while using the travel eSIM for mobile data. No need to change physical SIM cards.
James T.
Data Roaming
Before my trip, I wasn't sure how data roaming charges worked. Using a travel eSIM gave me a separate data option and helped me keep track of my usage while traveling.
Emily R.
EU roaming rules don't apply in this region; check your carrier's rates for each country.
Some internet voice and video calling services have historically been restricted in parts of the region. Availability can change.
Most regional plans are data-only and don't include a local number.
For a short layover in a Gulf hub, a few days of data may be all you need.
Download offline maps for desert tours and historic sites.
Check whether Turkey and Morocco are included if they're part of your route.
FAQ
It varies by provider. Gulf countries like the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are commonly included; Egypt, Jordan and Morocco depend on the plan.
Messaging generally works, but some internet calling features have historically been restricted in parts of the region. Check the current situation before you travel.
On most dual-SIM phones, yes. Keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts, and use the eSIM for data. Turn off data roaming on your regular line to avoid roaming data charges.
Install it before you travel while you have reliable Wi-Fi, then switch it on after you arrive. Check whether the plan's validity starts at installation or first connection.
More questions? See the full FAQ or contact us.
From $9.99
From $7.99
From $9.99
From $20.99
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Choose your plan, install it at home, and switch it on when you land.
From $17.99 (sample)
View Middle East & N. Africa plans
