Physical travel SIM delivered in India in 1 to 3 days: 10GB plus a local number from ₹1,299 ($15.49)
For phones without eSIM and for travellers who want a backup card. USA, UK, UAE, Thailand and Europe SIMs with a local number, posted to your door before you fly, KYC done online, hotspot allowed.
Travel SIM at a glance
A Universal eSIMs physical travel SIM is a nano SIM with 10GB for 30 days and a local number, posted anywhere in India in 1 to 3 working days: USA ₹2,499, UK ₹1,999, UAE ₹1,799, Thailand ₹1,299, Europe ₹2,299. KYC under DoT rules is completed online with a passport, ticket and live photo.
Prices checked on 25 October 2026 · Hotspot allowed on every plan · Full refund if your phone cannot install the eSIM
Travel SIM prices by destination
Launch pricing. Each SIM includes 10GB for 30 days, a local number with 100 local minutes, hotspot and 24/7 support. Prices include GST. Delivery ₹99, free above ₹1,999.
USA 10GB, 30 days, US number
₹2,499 ($29.99)
- T-Mobile and AT&T
- Local number with 100 local minutes
- Hotspot allowed
- Delivered in 1 to 3 days or counter pickup
UK 10GB, 30 days, UK number
₹1,999 ($23.99)
- EE, O2 and Vodafone
- Local number with 100 local minutes
- Hotspot allowed
- Delivered in 1 to 3 days or counter pickup
UAE 10GB, 30 days, UAE number
₹1,799 ($21.49)
- Etisalat by e& and du
- Local number with 100 local minutes
- Hotspot allowed
- Delivered in 1 to 3 days or counter pickup
Thailand 10GB, 30 days, Thai number
₹1,299 ($15.49)
- AIS and True
- Local number with 100 local minutes
- Hotspot allowed
- Delivered in 1 to 3 days or counter pickup
Europe 10GB, 30 days, EU number
₹2,299 ($27.49)
- Orange, Vodafone and Telekom partners in 40+ countries
- Local number with 100 local minutes
- Hotspot allowed
- Delivered in 1 to 3 days or counter pickup
Physical travel SIM plans, launch pricing
Other destinations: the Global eSIM covers 130+ countries for eSIM phones. Physical SIMs for Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Canada are added as destination partners sign.
Who should choose the physical SIM
Phones without eSIM
Most phones under ₹20,000 sold in India, older iPhones (X and earlier) and many Redmi, Realme and Vivo models have no eSIM. The physical SIM gives them the same plan. Check your model.
Backup for eSIM users
If the eSIM phone is lost or dies, the card goes into any borrowed phone. Families often carry one physical SIM alongside everyone's eSIMs.
Parents and first-time travellers
Some travellers prefer a card they can see, inserted at home by a family member, with the number printed on it. The setup sheet is in English and Hindi.
Students without eSIM phones
The Arrive Connected student kit ships as a physical SIM on request, with the same local number and 30-day starter.
Corporate pools
Business accounts can issue physical SIMs from the same data pool for staff whose phones lack eSIM.
Long stays
Top up over the air every 30 days; the card never needs replacing.
How to order a physical travel SIM
Order online
Pick the destination SIM, choose home delivery, counter pickup or hotel delivery, and pay by UPI or card. Takes two minutes.
Complete KYC in the browser
Upload the passport pages and the ticket, take a live photo. We verify within 2 working hours during the day; the Department of Telecommunications requires this for every international SIM sold in India. Confirm current rules; they change.
Delivery or pickup
Courier in 1 to 3 working days to any serviceable Indian address, or collect at an airport or partner counter with the order code and the passport you registered.
Insert and switch on abroad
The SIM is pre-registered. Insert it before landing, turn data roaming on for that SIM, and the local number and data work within minutes of arrival. Validity starts on first connection.
Full document list and city-by-city timelines are on the delivery, pickup and KYC page.
Physical travel SIM vs eSIM vs roaming vs airport SIM
Competitor and carrier figures are indicative list prices observed in October 2026 and change often.
Ways to get a local SIM for travel from India
Specifics and tips
- The SIM arrives as a 3-in-1 punch-out (standard, micro, nano) so it fits any slot. Keep the carrier card; the number and PUK are printed on it.
- Insert the SIM before landing and turn on data roaming for that SIM only. It registers on a local network within a few minutes of arrival; validity starts then, not at delivery.
- Dual-SIM phones: keep the Indian SIM in slot 2 with data roaming off so Indian OTPs still arrive. Set the travel SIM as the default for data.
- Incoming calls on the local number are free. Calls to India cost ₹5 to ₹12 a minute depending on the destination, shown on the card; WhatsApp calls over data are unlimited.
- Europe SIM: one number and 10GB across 40+ countries including the UK, Switzerland and Turkey; no change needed at borders.
- UAE SIM: VoIP calling is restricted on local networks; WhatsApp text and media work, voice calls over WhatsApp may not. Botim is the licensed option.
- Order at least 4 working days before departure to allow for KYC verification and courier time; 7 days for hotel delivery abroad.
Policies and facts
Travel SIM questions
What is a physical travel SIM and who needs one?
A physical travel SIM is a nano SIM card for a destination, posted to you in India before you fly. Universal eSIMs sells them for the USA, UK, UAE, Thailand and Europe from ₹1,299 for 10GB over 30 days with a local number. It is for phones without eSIM support, and for travellers who want a backup card alongside an eSIM.
How much does a travel SIM cost?
Launch prices: USA 10GB plus US number ₹2,499; UK 10GB ₹1,999; UAE 10GB ₹1,799; Thailand 10GB ₹1,299; Europe 10GB ₹2,299. All are 30 days, include GST and a local number, and allow hotspot. Delivery inside India is ₹99, free above ₹1,999.
How long does delivery take in India?
Next working day in the eight largest metros for orders placed before 2 pm, 2 working days in other state capitals and tier-2 cities, 2 to 3 working days elsewhere. Same-day courier in Hyderabad and Bengaluru costs ₹149. Details by city on the delivery page.
Why is KYC required for a travel SIM?
Indian Department of Telecommunications rules require sellers of international SIMs in India to verify the buyer's identity and outbound travel. We collect a passport scan, a ticket and a live photo at checkout and verify within 2 working hours. Rules change; confirm current requirements before you order if you are unsure.
Can I pick it up at the airport instead?
Airport counter pickup is available where a Universal eSIMs franchisee operates; Hyderabad and Bengaluru counters are planned for launch, with Mumbai and Delhi to follow. Until a counter is live in your city, choose home delivery or a partner forex or travel-agent counter. The checkout shows only the options available for your pin code.
Does the travel SIM include a local phone number?
Yes. Every physical travel SIM carries a local number for the destination (a US number on the USA SIM, a UK number on the UK SIM, and so on) for calls, SMS and app verification. Incoming calls are free; outgoing local calls use included minutes, typically 100, and calls to India are charged per minute at the rate shown on the card.
Is a physical SIM better than an eSIM?
For most travellers with a compatible phone, the eSIM is better: instant, no delivery, no KYC and from ₹249. The physical SIM is for phones without eSIM, for travellers who want a spare, and for anyone who prefers a card they can move between phones. Check your phone first.
Will it work in my phone?
Any unlocked phone with a nano SIM slot that supports the destination's 4G bands, which covers almost every phone sold in India since 2017. Phones locked to an Indian operator will not work; check with your operator. Dual-SIM phones can keep the Indian SIM in slot 2 with data roaming off.
What if I do not travel after all?
An unused, unactivated SIM returned within 30 days is refunded minus ₹199 for KYC and delivery. Once the SIM connects to a network abroad the plan is used. Full terms are in the refund policy.
Can I top up or extend the SIM?
Yes. Top-ups are bought from your account or the app and applied over the air within minutes; the card does not need to be replaced. Validity extends by 30 days with each top-up.
Related pages
• Delivery, pickup and KYC
· • USA eSIM
· • UK eSIM
· • UAE eSIM
· • Thailand eSIM
· • Europe eSIM
· • eSIM compatibility checker
· • Student SIM
· • Global eSIM
· • Roaming cost calculator
· • Run an airport counter: franchise
A SIM in your hand before you fly
Order today, finish KYC in five minutes, receive it in 1 to 3 working days. Full plan details before you pay.
Physical travel SIM
Prepaid nano SIM with 10GB, 30 days and a local number for the USA, UK, UAE, Thailand and Europe, delivered in India.
Product Brand: Universal eSIMs