Description
For many British families, a trip to Iraq means visiting relatives in Baghdad, Basra or the Kurdistan Region, or making a pilgrimage to the shrines of Karbala and Najaf. Others travel for business, especially in Erbil. On any of these journeys, being able to message family and share your location from the start is a real comfort.
A travel eSIM is installed at home and switched on when you land. It sits alongside your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone for bank texts and calls, while the eSIM gives you data for WhatsApp, maps and keeping your group together.
Choose your Iraq data plan
There are 11 plans for Iraq. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.74 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £2.95 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £3.00 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £6.00 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £8.45 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £8.62 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £12.75 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £21.75 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £36.00 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £135.81 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £264.84 |
- Short business trip to Erbil or Baghdad: 1GB for 7 days or 2GB for 15 days covers email, messages and maps.
- Pilgrimage to Karbala and Najaf: 3GB for 15 days or 5GB for 30 days lets you stay in touch with your group and send photos home.
- Long family visit: 10GB or 20GB for 30 days suits regular video calls to relatives in the UK.
- Extended stays: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days fits people spending months in Iraq for work or family.
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 Iraq.
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 Set up an eSIM.
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. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. 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 Iraq
The main arrival points are Baghdad International Airport, Erbil International Airport in the Kurdistan Region, and the airports at Basra and Najaf, which handle many pilgrims. During major pilgrimages the crowds in Karbala and Najaf are huge, and phone networks can become very busy, so agree meeting points with your group in advance.
Data is handy for maps, translation between English, Arabic and Kurdish, and ride apps in the larger cities. In desert areas and on long road journeys between cities, signal can be patchy.
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
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Iraq, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- 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 Iraq 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: the FCDO advises against travel to parts of Iraq. Read its latest advice before you book and check that your insurance covers your trip.
- Kurdistan Region: if most of your trip is in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah or Duhok, ask us before ordering so we can confirm the plan suits your route.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will the eSIM work during Arbaeen or other busy pilgrimages?
It works where there is signal, but very large crowds can slow networks down or make them hard to connect to. Keep offline maps and agree meeting points with your group.
Can I use it on the way through Iran or Kuwait?
No, this plan is for Iraq only. Ask us if your journey includes other countries.
When should I buy my Iraq 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.
