Description
Most people travelling from the UK to Afghanistan are going to see family: parents, grandparents and relatives in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad and villages across the provinces. Others travel for aid and humanitarian work.
A travel eSIM means you can arrange your mobile data before you leave home and keep in touch with relatives in the UK during your stay. It is added next to your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone for bank codes and messages, while the eSIM provides data for WhatsApp, voice notes and video calls where there is signal. As with any trip there, read the official travel advice before you plan.
Choose your Afghanistan data plan
There are 5 plans for Afghanistan. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £4.39 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £7.50 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £10.92 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £16.50 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £27.79 |
- Short family visit: 1GB for 7 days or 2GB for 15 days covers WhatsApp messages and voice notes.
- Month with relatives: 3GB or 5GB for 30 days suits regular messaging and some video calls.
- Daily video calls home: 10GB for 30 days gives more room for photos, video calls and sharing family videos.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Afghanistan.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Afghanistan
Mobile signal is mostly found in cities and along main roads, and it can be weak or missing in mountain valleys and rural villages. Switch on the eSIM when you arrive and check that it connects before you leave the city for the provinces.
Data is mainly useful for staying in touch with family through messaging apps and sharing your location with relatives who are meeting you. Power cuts can make charging harder in some areas, so a power bank is worth packing. Download offline maps and save important numbers on the phone before you travel.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Afghanistan and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Travel advice: check the latest FCDO travel advice for Afghanistan before you book and before you travel.
- Afghanistan only: this plan does not cover Pakistan, Iran or any country you pass through on the way. Ask us about a plan for a transit stop.
Questions
Will the eSIM work in my family's village?
It works where there is mobile signal. Coverage outside the main cities can be limited, so it is worth asking relatives how signal is in their area.
Is there an unlimited plan for Afghanistan?
No. The largest plan is 10GB for 30 days, and you can order another plan if you need more.
When should I buy my Afghanistan eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
