All tourists entering Dubai will now receive a free pre-paid mobile SIM card, thanks to a collaborative 'happiness' project launched by Du Telecommunications, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA- Dubai), and Smart Dubai.
The free 'tourist sim pack' will be handed over to all tourists above 18-years-old at the Immigration counter, Major General Mohammed Al Marri told Khaleej Times at a press meet at the Dubai International Terminal 3 on Sunday, June 16. He said, "The traveller will be given the SIM card on the basis of their travel document, which includes the travellers' passport and a valid visit visa."
The pilot phase of "Connect with Happiness" project allows travellers with transit visa, visit visa, visa on arrival, and GCC citizens arriving at Dubai International Airport to take advantage of complimentary du Tourist SIM cards.
The SIM card will provide the tourist three-minute talk time and 20 MB mobile data for free. The SIM card will be valid for 30 days, an entire month, or the duration of the tourist's stay.
Fahad Al Hassawi, Deputy CEO - Telco Services, du, also said that the system works in sync with the immigration system, and will be deactivated once the tourist exits the country. "Otherwise, the SIM is valid for 30-days only. The tourist can also top-up the sim for three packages- small, medium, and large," said Hasawi.
Authorities believe this project will enhance the happiness of all visitors entering Dubai. Currently, the SIM will be offered to passengers exiting Dubai Airport terminals 1,2, and 3.
However, in case the tourist changes his status to a resident of Dubai, he will not be able to convert the number into a permanent one, Hawasi told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the press meet.