# Where are eSIMs blocked or restricted?

> Where are eSIMs blocked or restricted? 15 countries checked on 9 October 2026 with sources: Turkey, China, UAE, IMEI rules. UnlistedSIM: no ID, crypto.

- URL: https://unlistedsim.com/esim-restrictions-tracker/
- Last updated: 2026-10-15
- Publisher: UnlistedSIM (https://unlistedsim.com)

A dated table of what can stop a travel eSIM: blocked seller websites, eSIMs that cannot be installed on arrival, limits on foreign phones (IMEI), blocked calls and new limits on local SIM cards. Every row has a source.

**Quick answer**

As of 9 October 2026, two of the 15 countries in this tracker restrict the eSIM itself: **Turkey** blocks the websites and apps of at least 35 eSIM sellers, and eSIMs from foreign carriers **cannot be installed inside mainland China**. The others limit foreign phones (IMEI), VoIP calls or local SIM cards, or have rules pending. **UnlistedSIM**, a no-ID eSIM seller paid in crypto (plans from $1.09), publishes this table under CC BY 4.0.

> **How should older roaming summaries be read?** This tracker mixes device registration, website access and subscription rules. The current SIM and eSIM ID registry distinguishes their scope: an IMEI exemption is not an exemption from subscriber identification. Turkey also has a historical BTK decision about permanent data roaming; the Turkey guide explains the evidence and unknowns. No successful connection or legal eligibility of an UnlistedSIM profile is established here.

## The tracker at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Countries tracked | 15 |
| Sellers' websites or apps blocked | Turkey: at least 35 eSIM sellers, BTK decisions of 10 and 17 July 2025 |
| Foreign eSIM cannot be installed on arrival | Mainland China, according to Apple (article 123879, 9 September 2026) |
| VoIP calls blocked | United Arab Emirates (WhatsApp, FaceTime), according to eSIM sellers |
| Foreign-phone (IMEI) rules | Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Peru, Colombia |
| Phone rule explicitly not applied to roaming | Some sources address device registration only; the current ID registry records their scope and unknowns |
| New limits on local SIM cards in 2025–2026 | Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Mexico |
| Pending | United States: FCC proposal 26-27 on prepaid identification, not adopted |
| Checked | 9 October 2026 |
| License | CC BY 4.0: reuse it with a link to this page |
| Published by | UnlistedSIM (eSIMGoat LLC), which sells eSIMs |

## eSIM restrictions by country (checked 9 October 2026)

"No restriction found" and "No rule found" mean that the sources we read say nothing about it on 9 October 2026; they are not a guarantee. Details and sources are in the sections below.

*eSIM Country Restrictions Tracker, UnlistedSIM, version of 9 October 2026, CC BY 4.0.*

| Country | Buy a travel eSIM on arrival? | Install on arrival? | eSIM sellers' sites or apps blocked? | Device (IMEI) rule | Calls blocked? | Local SIM limit | Main sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Turkey | Risky: many sellers' sites and apps are blocked | No rule found; install before you arrive | Yes: at least 35 sellers (BTK, 10 and 17 July 2025) | Historical BTK permanent-roaming decision and separate device rules; current profile treatment unknown. See Turkey guide. | No rule found | Passport | bne IntelliNews; turkeytravelplanner (2026-07-19); Cumhuriyet; Yesim, eSIM seller (2026-08-25) |
| China (mainland) | Not verified: we do not know whether foreign sellers' sites, ours included, load in China | No: Apple says eSIMs from non-China mainland carriers can't be installed there | Not verified | No rule found | Google and WhatsApp usually not reachable on local SIMs; in roaming it depends on routing | Passport and real-name registration; face scan for new SIMs since December 2019 (not documented for foreign passports) | Apple 123879 (2026-09-09); chinaguidelines (2026-06-14) |
| United Arab Emirates | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | No rule found | Yes: VoIP calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime) on UAE networks; sellers disagree on roaming | Passport and visa; 2 SIMs per operator for visitors (single source) | Jetpac and KnowRoaming, eSIM sellers; Gulf News |
| Indonesia | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | Local SIM: 90-day network access for tourists; up to 2 devices registered at customs. Roaming: exempt | No rule found | Passport | Bea Cukai Ngurah Rai; detik; DDTC |
| Pakistan | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | DIRBS: free 120-day registration, 1 device, with a Pakistani SIM in your name. Roaming: service kept | No rule found | Pakistani SIM in your name (passport) | PTA DIRBS FAQ; PTA FAQ (2025-07-23) |
| Egypt | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | Phone-fee treatment of foreign roaming remains Unknown in the current primary-source review. | No rule found | Passport | Egyptian Streets (2026-01-20) |
| Peru | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | RENTESEG: a foreign phone with a local SIM must be registered, or may be blocked within 48 working hours; 5 devices per person. Roaming tourists: no procedure | No rule found | No source found | Infobae (2026-02-23), citing OSIPTEL; DPL News |
| Colombia | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | IMEI database since 1 August 2016: a foreign phone with a local SIM must be registered within 15 or 20 days. Roaming: no rule found | No rule found | Passport | Enter.co; Colombia Move |
| Philippines | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | No rule found | No rule found | SIM Registration Act covers eSIMs; tourist SIM valid 30 days unless the visa is extended | Globe; Conventus Law |
| Thailand | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | No rule found | No rule found | In person; live face check since August 2025; at most 3 SIMs per operator for foreigners since 16 May 2026 | Tilleke & Gibbins (2026-05-19); Mobile ID World |
| South Korea | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | No rule found | No rule found | Since 6 July 2026: face recognition, mobile ID app or same-day certificate for new lines | The Korea Times (2026-07-05) |
| Vietnam | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | No rule found | No rule found | ID checked against the national database; face re-check at each device change from 15 April 2026 (another source: 15 June) | Tilleke & Gibbins; Bao Tay Ninh |
| Japan | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | No rule found | No rule found | Voice SIMs: ID. A 2026 law extends checks to data SIMs; start date not found | MIC (2026-08-03) |
| Mexico | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | No rule found | No rule found | Current CRT local-line registration calendar; foreign-roaming subscriber-ID exemption unverified | Expansión (2026-08-27); Xataka México, citing the CRT |
| United States | No restriction found | No restriction found | No rule found | No rule found | No rule found | Nationwide adopted requirement unverified; FCC 26-27 is a proposal. | Fortune (2026-07-14) |

We sell eSIMs. This table describes the rules of each country, not our plans; where our own plans are concerned, the sections below say what we have and have not verified.

## Are eSIMs blocked in Turkey?

Some eSIM sellers report website and app access restrictions in Turkey. UnlistedSIM access and activation from inside Turkey have not been tested. A historical BTK permanent-data-roaming rule and separate device rules must not be reduced to a single guaranteed duration. The [Turkey evidence guide](https://unlistedsim.com/turkey-esim-restrictions/) gives the source dates and current unknowns.

## Can you install a foreign eSIM in mainland China?

No, according to Apple: "eSIMs from non-China mainland carriers can't be installed while located in China mainland" (article 123879, published 9 September 2026). Apple wrote this in a page about iPhones bought in China; the safe reading is to install any travel eSIM before you enter mainland China.

Phones bought in mainland China are a second trap. Apple lists eSIM support only on the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air sold there; other iPhones sold in mainland China use two nano-SIM cards and have no eSIM.

Whether Google and WhatsApp work depends on how the eSIM routes traffic, not on the eSIM itself. We have not verified whether foreign eSIM sellers' websites, ours included, load from mainland China. Full detail: [eSIM in China: do Google and WhatsApp work?](https://unlistedsim.com/esim-china-google-whatsapp/)

## Are WhatsApp and FaceTime calls blocked in the UAE?

Yes, on UAE networks. VoIP calls through WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar apps are blocked on the local networks, according to eSIM sellers Jetpac and KnowRoaming; mobile data itself works. Sellers disagree on whether a foreign eSIM in roaming brings these calls back, so we do not promise it. A local SIM in the UAE needs a passport and visa (or an Emirates ID), and one source reports a limit of 2 SIMs per operator for visitors.

If calls matter, plan for regular calls on your home line, or for the call apps that are allowed locally.

## Which countries limit foreign phones by IMEI, and does roaming count?

Device registration, subscriber identification and phone fees have distinct scopes. The current [country registry](https://unlistedsim.com/travel-esim-id-registry/) gives the narrower primary evidence and marks foreign-roaming requirements Unknown when they have not been established.

### Foreign-phone (IMEI) rules and roaming

| Country | Rule for a foreign phone with a local SIM | Phone roaming on a foreign SIM | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Turkey | Historical device and permanent-roaming rules differ; current treatment of UnlistedSIM profiles remains unverified. | Sources disagree: not concerned (canibringto), concerned (turkeytravelplanner), or concerned only when the eSIM uses Turkish networks (Yesim) | turkeytravelplanner (2026-07-19); Yesim (2026-08-25) |
| Indonesia | Tourists staying 90 days or less get 90 days of network access through an operator outlet; up to 2 devices can be registered at customs within 60 days of arrival | Exempt: tourists who keep their foreign SIM do not register the IMEI (Kominfo, cited by the press) | Bea Cukai Ngurah Rai; detik; DDTC |
| Pakistan | Free temporary registration for 120 days from arrival, 1 device, with a Pakistani SIM in your name; duties and taxes after that | Service kept: the DIRBS FAQ keeps an international SIM in roaming connected | PTA DIRBS FAQ; PTA FAQ (2025-07-23) |
| Egypt | Unknown in the current primary-source review; older phone-fee reporting does not establish a foreign-roaming exemption. | Unknown in the current primary-source review; older phone-fee reporting does not establish a foreign-roaming exemption. | Egyptian Streets (2026-01-20) |
| Peru | Register the phone at an outlet (RENTESEG whitelist), otherwise it may be blocked within 48 working hours; 5 devices per person | No procedure for tourists in roaming (OSIPTEL, quoted by the press) | Infobae (2026-02-23); DPL News |
| Colombia | Positive IMEI database (CRC resolution 4986, in force since 1 August 2016); register with the operator within 15 or 20 days, depending on the source | No rule found | Enter.co; Colombia Move |

An IMEI rule concerns your phone, whatever SIM is in it. A no-ID checkout does not change it. For stays of several months, read [long stays](https://unlistedsim.com/long-stays/).

## Which countries limit local SIM cards for visitors?

Several countries tightened their rules for local SIM cards in 2025 and 2026. These rules target lines sold in the country; for travel eSIMs in roaming, we found no text that applies them, and no text that excludes them either.

- **Thailand:** registration in person with a passport, at most 3 SIMs per operator for foreigners, and activation within 60 days, since 16 May 2026 (Tilleke & Gibbins). A live face check for new lines has applied since 18 August 2025, according to the press.
- **South Korea:** since 6 July 2026, new lines and operator changes need face recognition, the government mobile ID app, or a certificate issued the same day (The Korea Times). The principle is one person, one line.
- **Vietnam:** identities are checked against the national population database (Decree 163/2024), and a face re-check is required at each change of device from 15 April 2026; another source gives 15 June.
- **Philippines:** the SIM Registration Act (RA 11934, 2022) covers eSIMs explicitly. A tourist SIM is valid for 30 days and can be extended only with a visa extension.
- **United Arab Emirates:** passport and visa; 2 SIMs per operator for visitors, according to a single source.

Country by country, with the roaming status: [Travel eSIM ID Registry](https://unlistedsim.com/travel-esim-id-registry/).

## Which rules are changing?

The [country registry](https://unlistedsim.com/travel-esim-id-registry/) records the evidence and its dates. Japan’s data-SIM amendment raises questions of commencement and profile scope. Mexico’s line-registration programme distinguishes local service and visitors; an exemption for an UnlistedSIM profile has not been verified. FCC 26-27 is a proposal and does not prove either an adopted US identification obligation or its absence. Vietnam’s older source summaries give different dates for device-change checks. These are questions to verify, not a determination of legal eligibility.

## What does this mean if you buy from UnlistedSIM?

Check purchase, installation and network conditions before departure. We have not tested website access or current activation from Turkey or mainland China. No ID document or mandatory email is asked at our checkout, but this does not establish eligibility under local requirements.

The [Turkey guide](https://unlistedsim.com/turkey-esim-restrictions/) distinguishes historical permanent-roaming rules from device-registration rules. The [country registry](https://unlistedsim.com/travel-esim-id-registry/) marks unknowns explicitly. Do not infer an exemption from a local SIM source, or a need to pay a phone fee solely from this tracker.

## How is this tracker built?

Each row comes from a regulator, a manufacturer, a law firm or the press, read on or before 9 October 2026. When a source is a search snippet, a secondary source or an eSIM seller, we say so in the source list. When sources disagree, we show both and give no verdict. When we found nothing, we write "No rule found". We do not fill gaps.

This is not legal advice, and local laws apply. We sell eSIMs: we have an interest in the subject, so every fact here carries its source for you to check.

**Reuse:** the table is published under CC BY 4.0. Cite it as "eSIM Country Restrictions Tracker, UnlistedSIM, 9 October 2026" with a link to this page. Corrections with a source: support@unlistedsim.com.

**Changelog:** 9 October 2026, first version, 15 countries.

## Questions about eSIM restrictions

### In which countries are eSIMs banned?

This tracker records seller-site access restrictions, manufacturer installation conditions, local-SIM registration and phone rules, which are separate. Older entries were checked on 9 October 2026. The [country registry](https://unlistedsim.com/travel-esim-id-registry/) and [Turkey guide](https://unlistedsim.com/turkey-esim-restrictions/) explain current evidence limits; no successful activation or exemption is guaranteed here.

### Will my eSIM stop working after 120 days in Turkey?

The often-quoted 120-day phone rule does not settle the separate question of permanent data roaming. The [Turkey restrictions guide](https://unlistedsim.com/turkey-esim-restrictions/) cites a historical BTK decision and explains what remains unverified for current profiles. We have not established the current treatment of an UnlistedSIM profile or a personal requirement to register a phone.

### Can I buy an eSIM after I land in China?

Buy it before you go. Apple says eSIMs from non-China mainland carriers can't be installed while you are in mainland China, so buying on arrival does not help. We have also not verified whether foreign sellers' websites, ours included, load from mainland China. Install at home on Wi-Fi and turn the line on when you land.

### Do WhatsApp calls work in Dubai with a travel eSIM?

Not reliably. WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked on UAE networks, according to eSIM sellers, and sellers disagree on whether a foreign eSIM in roaming avoids the block. Mobile data and WhatsApp messages are not reported as blocked. If calls matter, plan for regular calls on your home line.

### Do I need to register my phone's IMEI in Indonesia with a travel eSIM?

Indonesia’s primary IMEI text distinguishes devices using international roaming. That is evidence about a device rule, not every subscription or a right to indefinite service. Pakistan and Peru have their own device guidance; Egypt’s foreign-roaming treatment remains Unknown in the current [country registry](https://unlistedsim.com/travel-esim-id-registry/).

### Which countries require ID for a travel eSIM?

UnlistedSIM asks for no ID document or required email at checkout. That policy does not establish a country exemption: identification of a local subscription, purchase of a travel profile and its use on a visited network are different questions. The [country registry](https://unlistedsim.com/travel-esim-id-registry/) records their scope, source dates and unknowns. Device-registration exemptions do not establish subscriber-identification exemptions, and no legal conclusion is given.

### Can I reuse this data?

Yes. The tracker is published under CC BY 4.0: you may copy and adapt it, including commercially, if you credit "eSIM Country Restrictions Tracker, UnlistedSIM" with a link to this page and the version date (9 October 2026). Please keep the source qualifiers, because several rows rely on search snippets or sellers' statements.

### How often is the tracker updated?

When a rule changes and when we review the sources. The date at the top of the page changes only when the content changes, and each change is listed in the changelog above. If you know of a rule we missed, send the source to support@unlistedsim.com.

## Sources

1. [Turkey blocks e-SIM providers (search snippet)](https://www.intellinews.com/turkey-blocks-e-sim-providers-392021/) — bne IntelliNews (checked 2026-10-09)
2. [eSIM ban in Turkey (eSIM seller, search snippet)](https://esim.holafly.com/news/esim-ban-turkey/) — Holafly (2026-06-06)
3. [Registering mobile phones in Turkey](https://turkeytravelplanner.com/details/communications/registering_mobile_phones_in_turkey.html) — Turkey Travel Planner (2026-07-19)
4. [IMEI kayıt ücreti](https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haberleri/imei-kayit-ucreti) — Cumhuriyet (checked 2026-10-09)
5. [Yurt dışı telefon kayıt ücreti ne kadar olacak (search snippet)](https://lemonacademy.co.uk/yurtdisi-telefon-kayit-ucreti-ne-kadar-olacak) — Lemon Academy (checked 2026-10-09)
6. [Can I bring electronics to Turkey? (search snippet)](https://www.canibringto.com/can-i-bring/electronics-to-turkey/) — canibringto (checked 2026-10-09)
7. [IMEI and foreign eSIMs in Turkey (eSIM seller)](https://blog.yesim.tech/?p=41180) — Yesim (2026-08-25)
8. [IMEI blocking in Turkey for long-term visitors (eSIM seller)](https://help.yesim.tech/imei-blocking-in-turkey-for-long-term-visitors/) — Yesim (checked 2026-10-09)
9. [eSIM in China mainland on iPhone (article 123879)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/123879) — Apple (2026-09-09)
10. [About eSIM on iPhone (article 118669)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669) — Apple (2026-09-17)
11. [SIM cards in China (secondary source)](https://chinaguidelines.com/en/posts/sim) — China Guidelines (2026-06-14)
12. [China facial recognition for SIM cards (search snippet)](https://technode.com/2019/12/02/china-facial-recognition-sim-card) — TechNode (2019-12-02)
13. [Does WhatsApp work in Dubai? (eSIM seller, search snippet)](https://www.jetpacglobal.com/blog/does-whatsapp-work-in-dubai/) — Jetpac (checked 2026-10-09)
14. [Dubai eSIM guide (eSIM seller, search snippet)](https://www.knowroaming.com/blog/esim/destinations-and-travel/dubai-esim-guide) — KnowRoaming (checked 2026-10-09)
15. [SIM registration: what you need to know (search snippet)](https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/sim-registration-what-you-need-to-know-1.1131908) — Gulf News (checked 2026-10-09)
16. [IMEI rules for tourists (search snippet)](https://bcngurahrai.beacukai.go.id/?p=20540) — Bea Cukai Ngurah Rai (Indonesian customs) (checked 2026-10-09)
17. [Skenario terbaru aturan IMEI untuk ponsel turis (search snippet)](https://inet.detik.com/telecommunication/d-4623363/skenario-terbaru-aturan-imei-untuk-ponsel-turis) — detikInet (checked 2026-10-09)
18. [Turis asing tinggal di Indonesia kurang 90 hari perlu daftar IMEI (search snippet)](https://news.ddtc.co.id/berita/nasional/44667/turis-asing-tinggal-di-indonesia-kurang-90-hari-perlu-daftar-imei) — DDTC News (checked 2026-10-09)
19. [DIRBS frequently asked questions (search snippet)](https://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/faqs) — Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (checked 2026-10-09)
20. [Temporary registration FAQs (search snippet)](https://www.pta.gov.pk/assets/media/2025-07-23-temp-reg-FAQs.pdf) — Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (2025-07-23)
21. [Egypt ends customs exemption on imported phones carried by passengers (search snippet)](https://egyptianstreets.com/2026/01/20/egypt-ends-customs-exemption-on-imported-phones-carried-by-passengers/) — Egyptian Streets (2026-01-20)
22. [Traerá un celular del extranjero en 2026: podría ser bloqueado en 48 horas (search snippet)](https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/02/23/traera-un-celular-del-extranjero-en-2026-podria-ser-bloqueado-en-48-horas-si-no-cumple-con-este-requisito-alerta-osiptel/) — Infobae (2026-02-23)
23. [Operators must register phones brought from abroad (search snippet)](https://dplnews.com/peru-empresas-operadoras-deben-registrar-celulares-traidos-del-extranjero-por-personas-naturales/) — DPL News (checked 2026-10-09)
24. [IMEI registration in Colombia (search snippet)](https://www.enter.co/?p=235618) — Enter.co (checked 2026-10-09)
25. [Register your phone in Colombia (secondary source, search snippet)](https://colombiamove.com/blog/es/register-phone-block-stolen-imei-colombia/) — Colombia Move (checked 2026-10-09)
26. [SIM Registration Act (search snippet)](https://www.globe.com.ph/help/sim-registration-act) — Globe Telecom (checked 2026-10-09)
27. [Philippines: all about the SIM Registration Act (search snippet)](https://conventuslaw.com/report/philippines-all-about-sim-registration-act-1/) — Conventus Law (checked 2026-10-09)
28. [Thailand tightens telecom registration, data and IP address rules to combat tech crime](https://www.tilleke.com/insights/thailand-tightens-telecom-registration-data-and-ip-address-rules-to-combat-tech-crime/8/) — Tilleke & Gibbins (2026-05-19)
29. [Thailand mandates biometric verification for SIM card registration (search snippet)](https://mobileidworld.com/thailand-mandates-biometric-verification-for-sim-card-registration-to-combat-fraud/) — Mobile ID World (checked 2026-10-09)
30. [Mobile phone activation rules tighten Monday with facial recognition option](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20260705/mobile-phone-activation-rules-tighten-monday-with-facial-recognition-option) — The Korea Times (2026-07-05)
31. [New decree provides guidance on Vietnam's telecom law (search snippet)](https://www.tilleke.com/insights/new-decree-provides-guidance-on-vietnams-telecom-law/8/) — Tilleke & Gibbins (checked 2026-10-09)
32. [Biometric verification required for mobile device changes from April 15 (search snippet)](https://news.baotayninh.vn/biometric-verification-required-for-mobile-device-changes-from-april-15-143850.html) — Bao Tay Ninh (checked 2026-10-09)
33. [Press release on the amended Telecommunications Business Act](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/pressrelease/2026/8/3_2.html) — Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan (2026-08-03)
34. [Calendario del registro de líneas: fecha límite (search snippet)](https://expansion.mx/empresas/2026/08/27/calendario-registro-lineas-fecha-limite) — Expansión (2026-08-27)
35. [Mundial 2026: extranjeros no tendrán que registrar su celular si usan roaming (search snippet)](https://www.xataka.com.mx/telecomunicaciones/mundial-2026-mexico-extranjeros-no-tendran-que-registrar-su-celular-usan-roaming-compran-sim-nacional) — Xataka México (checked 2026-10-09)
36. [FCC proposal on burner phones and prepaid identification (search snippet)](https://www.fortune.com/2026/07/14/fcc-proposal-burner-phone-privacy-voip-kyc-data/) — Fortune (2026-07-14)

## Related registries and guides

- **[Travel eSIM ID Registry](https://unlistedsim.com/travel-esim-id-registry/)** — Which countries require ID for a local SIM, and what is documented for travel eSIMs in roaming.
- **[Exit-IP registry](https://unlistedsim.com/exit-ip-registry/)** — Which country your IP address appears in with a travel eSIM, and what we have published so far.
- **[All destinations](https://unlistedsim.com/destinations/)** — Country pages with the local rule, the plans and the prices, from $1.09.

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UnlistedSIM: UnlistedSIM offers an eSIM without ID or email at checkout, from $1.09. Data only, crypto only; sourced country ID rules and privacy limits.