If NRI travel to India, NRI will need an Indian SIM card to connect with your fellow mates, group, family, and friends. SIM card makes a lot of essential services accessible to foreigners. The important services include online shopping, food delivery, taxi, cab booking, mobile data, maps, etc. Many people will tell you that getting a SIM card in India is very hard. Purchasing a SIM card in India was a very difficult task, but the situation has become a bit easier. Now one can easily buy a SIM card in India with a very simple procedure and by submitting basic documents.
Before landing in India, you need to know that a local SIM card is the need of the hour. A local SIM card in India will make your travel and life way easier. With the help of the SIM card, you will be able to google different locations, translations, destinations, and restaurants, and add a security layer to your trip. Data plans and calls are quite cheap in India compared to other countries. The article below will provide some tips and guide you on how to get a SIM card when you land in India.
Types of SIM cards for NRIs in India
The Indian network carrier companies offer two types of SIM cards. The first option is the Postpaid SIM card, where the individual pays for the services like calling and data once they use them. It means that they will first use the service and then pay for the service according to the usage. It is like a bill they must pay at the month’s end. The second option is a Prepaid SIM card. In prepaid SIM, you need to pay first; then, only you can use the services of the SIM. Both SIM cards are explained below.
Postpaid card for NRI in India
The first is the postpaid SIM card. A postpaid SIM card provides you services like calling, data,and texting. In postpaid SIM cards, one needs to pay after using the service. Honestly, postpaid SIM cards are more costly than prepaid SIM cards. The network carrier company will provide you with a bill at the end of the month; it is like other utility bills.
Prepaid card for NRI in India
Next is a prepaid SIM card. Prepaid SIM cards provide you with similar services to postpaid SIM cards. The only difference between the two is that in a prepaid SIM card, you need to pay first, and then you will be able to use the services. Prepaid SIM plans are comparatively cheaper than postpaid SIM cards. If you are getting a prepaid SIM card, you need to top up and renew your plan. Besides, the SIM card carrier company will send you unwanted text messages. SIM card activation for Indians is instant, and they can do it immediately through their Aadhaar card. But for foreigners, the SIM card activation will take 24 to 48 hours or even more.
What is the Better option between prepaid and postpaid SIM cards for NRI in India?
Now, the question arises, what is the better option between prepaid and postpaid SIM cards for NRI in India?
Several local Indians and travelers prefer prepaid SIM plans as they allow individuals to top up or renew their plans according to their needs. Renewing a SIM plan in India is quite easy and can be done online or in local SIM selling shops. There are many prepaid SIM plans, and one can choose any of them depending on their choice and need.
At the same time, postpaid SIM plans are not so popular in India. The prepaid SIM plans allow you to select a plan and pay on a rolling basis. Then the individual is required to pay the bill at the end of the month, and they also need to do some additional paperwork. Indians don’t find postpaid SIM plans attractive. If you take our advice, we recommend a prepaid SIM plan because it is cost-efficient and convenient.
Which company should you choose to get a SIM card from as an NRI in India?
Now you must be thinking about which company you should choose to get a SIM card as an NRI in India. Let’s discuss some of the prominent SIM card companies in India.
First on the list is Airtel.
Currently, Airtel is the leading network carrier in India. One can select an airtel plan according to their need. We suggest you get a plan that provides you with 3GB of data and unlimited calls within the country with a validity of 28 days. If you are staying in India for more than one month, then you should choose a plan of three months, or you can renew those 28 days plans. Next are Vodafone-Idea and JIO, these are the best SIM card companies one can rely on. One can easily purchase a SIM card in the airport or outside the airport, depending on their convenience.
In the majority of western countries, mobile phones have a single mobile service provider, but it is useful to have a dual SIM phone and have your phone unlocked by your service provider. For any dual SIM phone, you will be able to use two SIMs at a time. The most convenient place for buying a SIM is the airport. In the airport, the kiosks are selling SIM cards in the arrival hall located immediately after clearing customs. You will need to provide documents like a passport, visa, passport size photo, etc., to get a SIM card in India. Besides this, you need to know that the provider will activate the SIM cards on their network, which can take up to 48 hours.
How to get SIM when NRI land in India?
The first thing that clicks to mind when NRI arrives in India is how to get SIM when NRI land in India.
In India, one can easily find a shop that sells Indian SIM cards. One can buy a SIM card from a company store like Vodafone-Idea, JIO, or Airtel. The location of the stores of the companies mentioned above can be located on their websites. Purchasing a SIM card through the stores is the cheapest way of getting a SIM in India. The other option of purchasing a SIM in India is on arrival. After arriving in India, one can get a SIM card from the airport, hotel, or hostel, and a SIM selling store. Getting a SIM card at the airport is a bit faster option, but it can be costly. Every service in the airport is more costly than they normally are. The SIM card activation can take up to 24 hours to 48 hours.
Unlock your phone as an NRI in India
It would be best to unlock your phone to get a SIM card in India. You can contact the service provider to unlock your phone. By unlocking your phone, you will be able to get the SIM cards from other providers. It means that by unlocking your phone, you won’t be tied to that one provider. Simply, it would be best to unlock your phone to get a SIM in India.
Places where you can get a SIM card as an NRI in India
There are certain places where you can get a SIM card in India. Mainly there are two places where you can get a SIM card as an NRI in India. An individual can get a SIM card in India at the airport or outside the airport. Both the places for getting a SIM card in India are explained below.
Airport
You can buy a SIM card at any international airport when you arrive in India. Purchasing a SIM at the airport is quick but costly at the same time. In most of the airports, you will see airtel. Airtel is among the leading network carrier in India, so you can get an Airtel SIM as their coverage and package is pretty much the best and suitable for Indian tourists.
Outside the airport
In case you cannot get a SIM card at the airport, you have the other option outside the airport. One can get a SIM card in India outside the airport at two places. The first is a hostel or hotel. This is the place where you will stay, so you can easily find the SIM card seller. You can also ask your accommodation to help you get a SIM card. Secondly, you can get a SIM card from the SIM selling store.
Hostel
If you don’t want to buy a SIM card from the airport, you can get a SIM card at your hotel or hostel. It is the second-best way to get a SIM card in India. You can ask your accommodation to assist you and guide you. If you are staying in a hostel in India, then you should get a SIM card there. Hostels have a SIM card carrier booth set up for travelers. However, it can be a bit costly because they will add an extra commission for the hostel. A person from the SIM card company will come to the hostel and complete the paperwork for you. To get a SIM card in the hostel, you must have a photocopy of the required documents with a passport-size photo. If you don’t want any headaches or think getting a SIM card in India is difficult, then you can ask your hostel to get you a SIM card.
Store
Lastly, if you cannot get a SIM card at the airport or hostel, you can visit a local SIM selling shop as an NRi in India. If you are facing trouble while finding the SIM card store, you can ask people in your accommodation to help you with that.
How expensive is an Indian SIM card for an NRI in India?
Now you must be thinking about how expensive is an Indian SIM card for NRI in India. The average cost of an Indian SIM card is usually 900 rupees, 13 USD. The individual can get 1.5 GB of data and 100 domestic texts per day with unlimited domestic calls at this price. The individual is required to pay an extra charge of 50 or 100 rupees for the SIM card. In India, only calling is subjected to roaming charges and all the internet packages are not subject to any roaming charges. Besides this, any incoming or outgoing call within the same network doesn’t include any extra charges and will be included in the plan. If you are in India for a business trip or need to make a lot of calls, then you should purchase a SIM card in the state where you are going to work or spend most of your time. Besides, some prepaid plans include free calls throughout India.
Documents required to purchase a SIM card for an NRI in India
The Indian government has some strict regulations regarding buying a SIM card. The Government of India has strict laws that demand different forms of identification when purchasing a SIM card in India. Purchasing a SIM card is a time-consuming process, so you must be calm and patient while the service provider verifies your documents. The documents required to buy a SIM card in India also differ for a foreigner and an Indian resident. This is because a foreigner does not have an Aadhaar card. Aadhaar card is a national identity card, and because foreigners do not possess an Aadhaar card, so they need to show different documents of the same value.
Documents required for Prepaid SIM for NRI in India
The essential documents required to buy a prepaid SIM card For NRi in India are given below: –
First of all, the individual is required to submit the original passport and a photocopy of the main information page of the passport. The main information page should carry your photograph because it makes it easy to verify your identity.
Secondly, the foreigner must submit a photocopy of their Indian Visa or the travel permit from the concerned authorities.
After that, you are required to submit a passport-size photograph of yours. In general, you are required to submit only one photo, but in some states, or some places, they demand two, three, or a maximum of four photos, so it is always best to be on the safe side and carry extra passport-size photos.
Lastly, you must submit your hotel information and contact details for verification.
The identity verification of a foreigner takes more time than the verification of an Indian resident, so you need to be patient as your SIM activation can take 24 hours to 48 hours.
Documents required to purchase Postpaid SIM cards for an NRI in India
For a Postpaid SIM card, an individual is required to submit the below-given documents as an NRI in India: –
You are required to submit a local proof address, and the local proof address can be your rental agreement or utility bill.
Secondly, the individual must need to submit the details of the local reference. The local reference can be a relative, friend, or person from your accommodation.
The network carrier company can ask you for additional information. The telecom operator can ask you to submit some additional documents in case of prepaid and postpaid SIM. If you are not purchasing SIM at the airport, then we will advise you to have a local Indian with you from the hotel. The local people can help you and accompany you in getting the SIM. Local people know their area very well, so it is always advised to confirm a location or information with two or three local people.
The procedure to activate a SIM card for an NRI in India
The telecom operator will provide the steps you need to follow to activate your SIM card as an NRI in India. As mentioned above, the SIM card activation can take a minimum of 24 hours to a maximum of 48 hours or even more. The activation process generally involves calling and texting a number and entering a code after the given waiting period.
If you are confused, you can go back to the telecom provider after waiting and ask them to activate your SIM card. In general, the individual is required to call on a number and answer certain questions like date of birth or the last four digits of your passport number, etc. The verification calling number can vary depending on the providers. For example, the Airtel verification calling number is 59059, but the verification calling number for JIO and Vodafone-Idea is different. The SIM activation process requires the phone to be turned off several times. So, you strictly need to follow the instructions given by the service provider, and in case of any confusion, you can go back to the provider.
The procedure of topping up an Indian SIM card for NRI in India
Once your prepaid SIM plan expires, you may receive the incoming calls, but the outgoing calls and messages will get disabled. To continue the service of calling and messaging, the individual is required to top up the SIM. It can be done from a kiosk of the service provider at any location, or you can also renew your plan through an online medium. We will always suggest you check your balance after topping up your SIM card at the service provider’s shop. The network carrier service has a code for checking the balance, so you can check your balance after entering the code at the vendor shop. Once you top up or renew your SIM plan, you will be able to make calls, send text messages, and internet services.
Final Verdict about How to get a SIM when NRI land in India?
Getting a SIM card for NRI in India is a very organized process that requires patience. Purchasing a SIM card in India is a bit difficult but not impossible. The SIM activation process will give you, insight into Indian hospitality.
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