Dubai: Planning a trip to Dubai? Here’s some good news for tourists! Those travelling to Dubai for some sight-seeing will now get a free SIM card that comes with complementary talk time and, most importantly, data. An announcement in this regard was made on Sunday, June 16.
This treat is a new initiative called “Connect with Happiness” by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai ans is the first of its kind in the world.
Tourists above the age of 18 years will receive the free SIM cards upon arrival at the airport from the passport control officer.
The pilot phase of the initiative was launched on May 28 by the GDRFA in association with Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) to allow travellers with a transit visa, visit visa, visa on arrival and GCC citizens to take advantage of the complimentary service.
As many as 10,000 free SIM cards were distributed to travellers in the pilot phase to ensure they enjoy a safe, happy and fulfilled stay.
According to Major General Mohammad Al Marri, director-general of GDRFA, the SIM card is valid for one month and has three minutes of free talk time and 20mb free data. The complimentary SIM can be activated by inserting the SIM card into their phones, dialing *122# and following the instructions.
One can add more talk time or data via three recharge options:
1. Pay Dh 25 and get 150 MB data – 10 flexible minutes, three-day validity
2. Pay Dh 55 and get 500 MB data – 20 flexible minutes, seven-day validity
3. Pay Dh 110 and get 2 GB data – 40 flexible minutes and 14-day validity
