Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai

Dubai, Jun 16: All tourists entering Dubai will now receive a free pre-paid mobile SIM card. This is made possible thanks to a collaborative 'Happiness' project launched by Du Telecommunications, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA- Dubai), and Smart Dubai, reports Khaleej Times.

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 informed at a press meet at the Dubai International Terminal 3 on Sunday, June 16.

"The traveller will be given the SIM card on the basis of their travel document, which includes the traveller’s passport and a valid visit visa," he said.

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 or the duration of the tourist's stay.

The SIM card 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.

The SIM card 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.

"This project aims to contribute to achieving Dubai Happiness Agenda, which is being implemented by the Smart Dubai Office. We have targeted visitors of Dubai in cooperation with du, in a move to ensure they enjoy a safe and happy stay," Al Marri said.

"Dubai is witnessing an increasing growth in a number of visitors from all over the world. In addition, this initiative is line with the directives of the UAE leadership and with the city's vision for the implementation of Happiness Agenda to make Dubai the happiest city on Earth. He added, "Through our association with du, we are pleased to be enabling visitors to Dubai to enjoy a unique service on arrival," Al Marri informed.

As part of future plans, the project will eventually be extended to all immigration checkpoints in the UAE.

How to activate free Tourist SIM package

Travellers will have access to the Tourist SIM package, which comes preloaded with a free SIM card, three flexi- minutes and three-day validity.

Once activated, tourists can then opt to add more calling minutes or data via three recharge options: 

1.   Pay Dh25 and get 150 MB data - 10 flexible minutes, three-day validity

2.   Pay Dh55 and get 500 MB data - 20 flexible minutes, seven-day validity

3.   Pay Dh110 and get 2 GB data - 40 flexible minutes and 14-day validity 

To activate the complimentary SIM, all travellers need to do is insert the SIM card, dial *122# and follow the instructions to get connected through du's outstanding service.

Promoters from du will also be present near immigration desks at Dubai International Airport to help visitors.