Home Arrow FAQ Arrow Is it hard to get a SIM card in India?

Is it hard to get a SIM card in India?

No. Obtaining a SIM card in India is easy, but some restrictions must be met, particularly if you are a foreign national.

If you are not an Indian citizen visiting India, you must follow a different procedure than Indian nationals. Foreign citizens do not have Aadhaar cards, requiring a distinct documentation set. Due to the lack of Aadhaar for identity verification, overseas nationals must fill out a paper form to obtain an India SIM card.

If you want a prepaid (pay-as-you-go) connection, bring the following documents to your local Vodafone, Airtel, or Reliance Jio shop in India.

  • Passport and photocopy
  • A copy of the visa
  • Passport-sized images (typically just one is required, but bring four just in case, as telecom operators in some Indian states demand four photographs)

The following papers are required for postpaid connections. This varies significantly per carrier but bring these documents (and, if possible, an Indian national who can vouch for you) to the store just to be cautious.

  • Passport and photocopy
  • a copy of the visa
  • Passport-sized images (typically just one is required, but bring four just in case, as telecom operators in some Indian states demand four photographs)
  • Details of a local reference
  • Proof of local address

You must provide contact information for any Indian national you know (preferably a friend or relative) and verify your Indian residence, such as utility bills or a lease agreement. For postpaid connections, the telecom operator may additionally require verification at your local location. Thus, a representative from the company may visit your home in India within a week after issuing the SIM card. In some circumstances, such as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, you must present that card and submit a photocopy when applying for a new SIM card.

 

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