How do I get a UAE phone number?

The classic "chicken or the egg" dilemma - everyone knows it. Here in the United Arab Emirates, your personal data is transparent to the authorities from the very start.

I applied for an Emirates ID and wanted to activate a UAE SIM card afterward. A distinction is made here between visitors and residents. I was in a sort of in-between stage - something you really need to know beforehand.

You need a local mobile number for almost everything here. Even connecting to the free Wi-Fi on the metro requires a +971 phone number; SMS messages sent to international numbers don't go through.

I couldn't get a resident SIM card without the Emirates ID, so I tried to get a tourist SIM. But that failed, too. After several weeks, I finally received a clear error message. The problem was that I was already classified as a resident because I had applied for the Emirates ID. That’s what I meant earlier by being "transparent" to the system.

So, it’s best to apply for a SIM card as a tourist before starting the residency process.

It was a nerve-wracking experience.

The day I finally held my Emirates ID in my hands, I was able to buy a SIM card and apply for a bank account without any issues.

Incidentally, you need a UAE mobile number to set up the Emirates ID after passing the medical check. You can provide any number - an acquaintance's, for example - but that person will then receive the courier service's status updates regarding the ID's delivery. It’s a vicious circle.

Not to mention the delivery address; that can be a hotel, though. In my case, the processing time was three working days, including delivery.