After launching the International Roaming Facility on Postpaid connections, BSNL launched the International roaming facility for all the prepaid customers. So now, both BSNL Prepaid and Postpaid users can avail the International Roaming Facility on your number. However, if you are primarily looking for outgoing and incoming calls from the International location, we recommend BSNL wings connection, which is cost-effective and can help you to save more.
Avail BSNL Roaming For International Trips
BSNL international roaming facility is available to its prepaid customers of all the circles in India. Initially, the service was available in 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, USA, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Ukraine, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. Now, BSNL extended the roaming country list for its prepaid customers and added more country’s telecom networks as the roaming partners.
The service is provided to all prepaid subscribers without any deposit or rental. The only thing users need to do is get the International Roaming facility enabled SIM card for their number to get the service activated.
How to Activate International Roaming Facility on BSNL Number ?
Though the service is activated free, BSNL customers have to do one thing to get it activated. Existing prepaid customers need to get a duplicate SIM card for their number to get it activated.
Unlike other providers such as Airtel, Jio, etc., BSNL was not provided their customers with the SIM card that supports International Roaming Facility. So, all the BSNL users who hold an old SIM card need to take a new dual IMSI SIM card that supports International Roaming.
To get a BSNL Prepaid International roaming facility on your SIM card, the SIM card should support dual IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). Still, the existing BSNL sim card only supports a single IMSI, and users need to get the new sim. But make sure that you are not getting the latest 4G SIM card, as the new BSNL 4G SIM doesn’t support International Roaming. You can check more details here.
How to get Dual IMSI SIM that supports BSNL Roaming?
- Head over to the nearest customer care center of BSNL with any valid ID card.
- Ask them to provide a duplicate SIM card for your number, don’t forget to mention that you are taking the duplicate SIM to activate International Roaming.
- Pay a charge of Rs. 10 for issuing the duplicate SIM.
- The SIM card will be activated within a few minutes, and your old SIM card will get disconnected.
- Now, the IR facility is enabled on your BSNL Prepaid Mobile Number.
Note: Make sure with the customer care that you are provided with Dual IMSI SIM Card. Unless the roaming does not work now, you can use your BSNL mobile number in the supported countries.
Some users informed us that you need to submit the Passport copy to get the IR-enabled SIM card. We contacted customer care to clarify it. Passport copy is not mandatory to get the new dual IMSI sim card. You can get it with any valid photo ID card.
If you are an NRI and have the only passport as a valid Indian ID card, you can use your passport to get the SIM card.
Please note, the service will be activated free, and to make and receive calls while you are abroad, you have to pay for it, and it varies from country. Only incoming SMS will be free. All outgoing and incoming calls and outgoing SMS will be charged per the tariff applied to corresponding countries. BSNL recently introduced an International Roaming pack, which is mandatory to avail the International Roaming facility on Prepaid numbers.
Initially, the IR pack was priced at Rs. 58, which gives a validity of 30 days. So if you wish to have the service even after 30 days, you need to recharge again with the 58 Pack.
Not able to send SMS to 123 to activate International Roaming
It is also to be noted that SMS to short numbers like 123, 53733, etc., can only be sent from India on your BSNL number. SMS to regular mobile numbers are possible if you have a balance for a Roaming outgoing SMS, but a short number SMS won’t work.
So, please don’t try to never the IR pack with your Talktime balance by sending SMS to 123. Always do online recharge for activation and renewal of IR pack.
Is the BSNL International Roaming Better than Other Service Like Jio and Airtel?
BSNL is offering an excellent international roaming service these days. If you wish to use the BSNL SIM in the United States, UK, Canada, or any other country, you may not find any big issues. However, while comparing the International service of other providers like Jio or Airtel, we cannot say that BSNL is the best option.
Airtel offers a stable and reliable international roaming service with some International Packs. But, on the other hand, Jio international Roaming is very cheap, and you can find a home-like experience while using your Jio Number, even in the UK, US, or the middle east. Moreover, Jio’s International roaming service will let you make calls to India and receive calls from India at a low price of Rs. 2 per minute, which is the lowest International Roaming charge in the world.
If you wish to use the BSNL SIM itself and are not comfortable porting the number to another network before your journey, you can use the BSNL SIM without any issues.
Currently i am not in India and Can i activate International Roaming on my BSNL SIM?
If you use the latest Dual IMSI Sim card, you can use the BSNL international Roaming service by activating it from outside India. On the other side, if you are using a non-IMSI SIM card, it cannot be used for International Roaming. In that case, you need to take the duplicate SIM from the BSNL office during your Next Visit to India. If that is your case, you can take the BSNL Wings connection and use the International Roaming service at a very low cost. Moreover, You can activate BSNL Wings connection online from any part of the world.
Can I use IMSI prepaid SIM in India for local calls (at local call rates) and carry the same abroad (designated countries) and use it to receive FREE SMS from India ?
Sure, all the SIM card have IMSI in it. It might be single or dual.
My BSNL international prepaid SIM card in USA is not working even though after registering with t mobile the local partner for USA
Hi,
Did you collect the dual IMSI SIM from the customer care in India?
My BSNL international prepaid SIM card in UAE not working. I had to collect new sim from India.
Yes, you need to get an International Roaming enabled SIM card from any customer care in India.
How long this sim will b valid?
It’s a normal duplicate SIM. The validity is not for the SIM, but for your number based on the plan.
My bsnl wings doesnot connect in saudi arabia
Is international roaming facility active on your number? did you pay Rs. 2000?
Does bsnl sim works in Ireland,may I know the sms pack inorder to use gpay
I think the BSNL IR service is not available in Ireland. You can find the list here http://ir.bsnl.co.in/prepaid.jsp
What about US call charges for bsnl prepaid sim?
Are you looking for ISD charge or IR charge?
My bsnl sim is not working in saudi but my airtel sim is working fine and i am receiving text messages also. I didnt change sim or opt for international roaming in bsnl. Can i do anything from here to make my sim active again?
Not possible Nowfaul. Existing BSNL prepaid SIM card will not work in the International location, You need to collect a new SIM card from Customer care in India to enjoy the service in Saudi.
BSNL not working Canada Roaming internet Plans recharge 167
Mobile no 94*****81
Are you getting network coverage in your area?
Can you tell me how long do i have before my sim cancel itslef and how can i avoid that? Is there any recharge pack for extending my sim’s validity? Its already been 90 days on march 29. I do want that number. Thanks in advance.
Just recharge for Rs. 35 if the SIM is Airtel, Vodafone or Idea and you will get 28 days validity for incoming and outgoing. Also you will get additional 90 days to keep your number with you. After 90 days you can repeat the same.
My BSNL SIM is not active in qatar but my IDEA SIM is working here and receiving messages and calls also in my IDEA SIM. Im not changing international roaming option before entering here.what can i do for getting messages from BSNl SIM.
You need to reach any customer care office in India and collect the duplicate SIM for your number that supports International Roaming. With your current prepaid SIM, it will not be possible.
Ok thank you for your advice. I want to change my WhatsApp number in to my BSNL number any possibility?
To do that, you need to get OTP message. So first you need to connect to network which is possible only after SIM upgrade.
Does it work in Germany?
As per BSNL website data, Germany is not in the list. I suggest you to check with customer care before taking the duplicate SIM.
I have a post paid mobile connection. I am traveling to UK from 11/6 to 21/6. I wanted to activate international roaming for this period with data connection. How should I proceed. Kindly advise
Since you are using postpaid sim, no need to get a new SIM card. Just call the customer care 1500 and ask them for the International Roaming activation. Normally on postpaid connection IR is activated by default.
I am travelling from India to USA via Dubai. Currently I have a BSNL prepaid connection. What should i do to get International Roaming activated in my sim so that I can get incoming and outgoing calls from Dubai and USA?
First you need to get a international roaming enabled sim, if you are a prepaid user. Otherwise no need to take a new SIM and no special recharge. If prepaid, then you need to recharge with Rs.58 voucher to receive and make calls. Incoming SMS will be free always without any recharge.
Im using bsnl international sim in saudi arabia 2 month finish but today network unavailble provider is zain ksa no network now what solution?
May be its a newtwork issue. Please contact the customer care.
How many days it will take to disconnect a BSNL SIM card if it is not using?
90 days normally.
I am at Kuwait and I can’t return to India until next March, What should I do to keep my number active? If recharge helps, let me know how much I want to recharge?
Which connection you have ? Is it BSNL ? Then first you need to have the SIM working in Kuwait, if its not working there, then there is a chance of getting disconnected if you are not using it for more than 90 days.
My bsnl International roaming card one month finished in Dubai.How to renew international roaming in UAE?
Just recharge with Rs. 58
Hi, I have a prepaid BSNL sim of Madhya Pradesh and now I am in Karnataka and I urgently need Dual SIM for international roaming facility. Can I collect it in Karnataka ?
I think, you can. But before that, please call the customer care to confirm.
Hi I am Travelling to Germany for a Month on a Business trip, I came to know that BSNL is not having roaming support in Germany. is it true? I have collected the BSNL INR SIM (International Roaming SIM) today, how long does it take to activate?
Hi Murali,
BSNL doesn’t have IR service in Germany right now. regarding the SIM activation, it will be completed within 1 hour. Once your old SIM gets disconnected, you can insert the new SIM card.
Hi,
I am using international roaming sim in Dubai.If i do not recharge my sim, my sim signal i get continue or not
You will get signal and incoming sms, but to make and receive calls, you need to recharge with IR pack starting from Rs. 58/- per month.
I have recharged rs75 online payment from USA. How do I know it’s rechaged . I don’t have international roaming or dual sim. Can I check on line from Benz portal.
You can’t check the balance if your SIM card is showing no signal. USSD codes for balance checking won’t work outside India. The only way to check the balance is by the mobile app (But you should have configured the mobile app previously)
I want to fly Ksa could i get this BSNL SIM to Ksa?
I am using only for incoming bank messages. I am no using data or call IC/OC.
I WANT to use only for incoming messages so how much should i need to recharge? Kindly suggest me.
You can use Rs. 58 IR pack, You will be getting free incoming SMS whereas the outgoing SMS, Outgoing and Incoming calls will be chargeable. Some users are complaining that they are unable to receive SMS from other mobile numbers while in IR. But, i think, Bank SMS and OTP you can receive without any issue.
Hello, does BSNL IR work in China? What are the charges for the IR pack for China?
As per BSNL’s website, China is not listed in the available IR countries. You can double check with your customer service center.
I am having one bsnl international roaming sim which is active in saudi arabia; even though I am getting messages normally, calls are not getting. what is the pre requirement for receiving calls, any plan has to activate or keeping particular minimum balance?
You need to activate IR pack which will cost Rs. 58 per month. Also, once the IR recharge is done, to make and receive calls, you need to have talktime balance in the main account. The incoming and outgoing calls will be charged at IR rates. So you need to have enough balance in your account.
i am in uae and i have normal bsnl sim,but not in range ..how to activate this sim immediatly..
For a normal SIM, it is not possible. You need to get an IR enabled SIM card from India itself.
i take new bsnl sim but not work in uae . no signal. what can i do
Is that a 4G SIM or old 3G SIM itself ? I think the new 4G prepaid sim doesn’t have dual IMSI option which will not work in international roaming.
I have International roaming enabled in my prepaid sim and I used to recharge with Rs 168 for 90 days international roaming . How can i check the expiry date of this 90 days or till what date this will be valid? Otherwise if I am recharging for Rs 58 for 30 days plan , how can I know the expiry date for the same ?
Hi Kannan, Not sure about the USSD code, but you can try *124*2# or *124*3#. You will get all the details of the currently activated STV there.
Hi, I didn’t know that I have to activate my bsnl sim for IR, so I came to UAE, is there anyway to activate IR while staying here?
If you are having regular 3G or 4G SIM, it cannot be activated. 1st you need to collect Dual IMSI SIM card from India.Then only you can activate IR on your number.
hi any possibilities for getting the last 3 months incoming & outgoing calls of my BSNL Prepaid number
I think there is no direct option available. You may contact customer service center and request them for the same. But i am not sure, is there any option available for customers for that.
I have a bsnl sim in UAE which is linked with my aadhar but it is not international.is there anyway to send and receive sms
You need to get new SIM from India and activate International roaming first.
My BSNL International Roaming service is not working in USA. While I was in India, I had walked into BSNL customer care and swapped my normal prepaid 4G SIM with the International Roaming 4G SIM. The active Plan on this SIM is BSNL498. The Expiry shows up as 20/01/2021. The Status shows up as ACTIVE. I also see that the Network is T-Mobile. But, nothing is working. What should I do to get this to work ? What am I missing here ?
Please try to contact your local customer care on their mobile or landline number to get it sorted.
I have the 3G IR BSNL Sim, I can see the T-Mobile signal but unable to make or receive calls. What is missing?
Make sure to have enough balance to make and receive calls. You need to check the tariff with for the partner network (T-mobile)
Hi Mahesh, were you able to get the issue resolved? I am in the same boat and unable to make or receive calls. Let me know steps if the issue resolved for you.
Iam having bsnl sim but its not working in uae so how can i activate international roaming facilities ?
First, you need to make sure that your SIM is Dual IMSI enabled and then you can do a recharge of the IR pack in your circle.
ho w to activate international roaming in QATAR.
Pls help on this subject
if your are having dual IMSI enabled SIM card you can recharge with IR pack like Rs. 58
Can we get SMS working on a WIFI service for BSNL. Currently the user is in USA and looking for options to enable SMS. Or any options to fwd, this to another number.,
SMS service needs International Roming enabled and it is not related to any WiFi Service. You need network coverage and balance in your account to send sms.
Hi Vipin can you advise me about How can I bring bsnl IMSI prepaid SIM card from india because right now I m in Ethiopia
Do they give IMSI SIM card to my family member
Currently, i think it is not possible. If the SIM is registered in your name, then you need to personally reach the CSC and collect the new dual IMSI SIM card.
I’m using my bsnl sim in uae, I didn’t collected the dual imsi sim before leaving india. But now I’m not receiving any sms like otp for some app registered under this number. How can I activate this international roaming from uae. I cannot go back to india only for collecting this sim especially during this Covid time.
Please advise any alternative solution to do this from uae.
Hi Anfal, I think without dual IMSI SIM you are not able to use it in UAE.
Hi vipin,How are you.first up all i say thank to u.
Im using BSNL sim since 2009.
Now I’m in dubai.i have 4G bsnl sim.but didn’t buy duplicate sim before leaving india.In UAE my bsnl sim no network coverage.Any other options?
Hi Riyaz,
I can understand the issue. I too faced the same once. Actually it is one main issue with BSNL. They are not doing things in the right way. Actually, if you are having a BSNL 4G SIM, then the international Roaming will not work. Because the dual IMSI option is not available in new 4G SIM. If you take a duplicate SIM for international roaming, then 4G will not work on that.
BSNL should have release the 4G SIM with dual IMSI enabled. Unfortunatly they didn’t. So if you need IR on your BSNL SIM, you need to take a duplicate 3G SIM. Hope in the coming days, they release dual IMSI 4G SIM.
I am not receiving any incoming SMS & OTP. kindly let me know how I can get SMS & OTP.
How to identify the sim 3G,4G or 5G, because at SIM card’s agents or store providers not explain about any thing just collect document and issue the SIM card. Kindly educate the customers too about settings weather National and International. Now every one roaming World. The communication is very important. Step by step settings
Publish and give along with the SIM card. Thank you
Hi Malathi,
In the BSNL SIM card, it is printed like 3G or 4G. So you can check whether your SIM is 3G or 4G. But the most strange thing with BSNL is that their 3G and 4G prepaid SIM card is not available with dual IMSI option, hence International Roaming will not work on those SIM cards.
If a customer request for International Roaming enabled SIM card, then what they are doing is providing with a 3G, Postpaid printed SIM card for the prepaid number (number still prepaid). This is because BSNL has only International Roaming enabled SIM card printed as Postpaid.
The most frustrating thing is that if you collect a new 4G SIM card, then International Roaming will not work.
if you need IR, then 3G SIM needed, if you need a 4G SIM card, then IR will not work.
BSNL should release a new 4G Prepaid and Postpaid SIM card with dual IMSI enabled at least.
MR.VIPIN THANK U FOR Q & A
I AM MOHAMED KAMARUDEEN FROM SAUDI ARABIA, IF I RECHAGE 58 RS SENT TO SMS IS POSSIBLE ,RIGHT NOW MY BSNL SMS INCOMOING AVAILABLE IN KSA, I WANT ACTIVATE MOBILE BANKING THAT’S WHY I NEED SEND SMS .PLESE REPLY.
MY EMAIL . THANKING YOU
You can activate with IR pack to make calls and sent SMS. However, you need to have balance in your main account to do so.
Thank you very much Mr Vipin for your clarifications on doubts on BSNL mobile services particularly on roaming, I am having BSNL prepaid SIM . Shortly I am visiting USA and need incoming SMSs mainly for OTPs from Banks . Please suggest me what I have to do and Can I rely on BSNL to get incoming SMS without fail , during my stay at USA….
First, you need to have DUAL-IMSI SIM to have the International Roaming facility to be activated. Make sure to collect one from local customer care. Then you can do a recharge for Rs. 58 to get the International Roaming activated for the next 30 days. You can do the same recharge every 30 days to continue enjoying IR. Incoming SMS will be free so just need to activate with 58 pack each month.
hi vipin
i have a BSNL SIM, now i am currently in the UK and although my SIM is active, i will not be using it in UK,inorder to keep the number active can i do only a recharge and keep it active for about a year or so
Hi,
Since it is BSNL SIM you don’t have to recharge every month. BSNL offers grace person up to 6 months. So as an economic way you can recharge with a basic plan, say Plan 95, you will get validity of 3 months.
Once the validity ends, all outgoing service will stop, and after 15 days incoming too. But your number keeps active for the next 6 months too. So again you can recharge with Plan 95 after 5 months, and continue in that way.
Regards.
I have a BSNL Roaming SIM at Saudi Arabia. My family purchased it from BSNL centre mentioning for Roaming and said all roaming formalities done there. But when I try to use it in Saudi, it’s not working. Not working means, no calls or messages going or receiving. But I can see BSNL icon on phone. Also I can get credit balance etc by sms. But calls and messages not working. Why and what’s the solution.
Hi Christo,
Did you activated the IR facility with an IR pack of Rs. 58. If you are getting the coverage, then it might be an issue with the IR pack.
i am already in United Kingdom and my BSNL prepaid card is not active here for international roaming how to resolve this issue
Hi Laxmikanth,
Is your BSNL SIM is dual IMSI enabled? If so, you can activate the IR facility with a recharge of Rs. 58. Please have a look at this article
https://www.techrounder.com/telecom/things-to-know-before-using-bsnl-prepaid-sim-for-international-roaming/
Hi my BSNL SIM in UAE how to activate sim not show
Make sure you are using a dual-IMSI SIM, then you can recharge with an IR pack.
I am unable to send sms from BSNl Internationl Roaming sim to activate Banking App… any solution
If you have a balance or an active plan, it should work, do you have any specific errors?
Hi ,I’m in Canada and i was not able to send SMS in BSNL network.But I’m using BSNL international Roaming SIM
Hi Prasad, Make sure you do have an active IR pack and enough Talktime balance to fo outgoing SMS.
Hi Vipin, Help me where i can get the pack details. So that i can recharge
May I know your correct requirement regarding the plan?
hi currently i work in Qatar. i bought new international BSNL sim. The sim is activated. i received message like OTP Ads, but i can’t send message. Balance have Rs. 150, Just recharged one week before.
Outgoing SMS to a private operator in India from the roaming country is not available with BSNL. That means you could only send outgoing SMS to BSNL numbers in India.
yes recharged 43 rupees for outgoing SMS and call but still not working ,,
Very useful Article, I could complete the first two steps- swapping dual IMEI SIM and recharge with 57₹ IR activation pack . I am travelling to USA and I don’t know the roaming tariff, is It IC/ OG or only IC and SMS ? What are roaming incoming charges in USA? Nobody in CSC , marketing dept or call centre or website could answer this , please inform, thank you
Hi Shrikanth,
Unfortunately, I don’t have the details of the current tariff. However, most of the rates got changed now, and I will try to get them and update them.
I recently purcahsed and activated a WINGS connection from abroad.
Unfortunaltely I didn’t enable international roaming on it and paid for national service only.
Now that I need international roaming, but unable to find a way to change the plan online. Is there any link available to enable international roaming on Wings.
I can not go to the BSNL office.
Thanks in advance.
It was possible to make the online payment earlier. However, before activating the International Roaming by paying the amount, it is better to check whether the roaming works in your location. The issue is that if you activate the service by paying the amount and was not working in your area, you may find it challenging to get the refund amount.
I am not able to send sms even after activating an outgoing sms plan. In my phone, the sms is marked as sent, but it is not received by the intended recepient. In USA
Is the money debited from your balance?
I receive sms etc from India but am unable to send sms to India despite using international roaming BSNL sim. I am in USA , I was able to use UPI etc from here for small/regular payments until mid Dec 2022, since then it is not working. UPI entities send verification SMS to my number but I am unable to respond via SMS.
Any solution to this problem?
You need to have a talk time balance in your account for outgoing SMS.
Hi, I changed my SIM to International before leaving to Saudi Arabia. Re charged for STV167 and tried selecting the operator manually after reaching Saudi Arabia. All the operators are shown as Forbidden . Any idea whats wrong.
Did you check with support?
I recharged STV 167 before leaving India and Sim also international,I tried operator manually n automatically,but not working, Network is also International,data roaming also on.plz help me
Which country did you travel to, and check the partner network in that country?
I am in California,USA.I recharged STV 167 before leaving India,Sim is international,I tried selecting operator manually n automatically,but not working , network is international,data roaming On.How can I receive msgs ? Plz help
Are you able to receive the signal on your SIM (BSNL)
After reaching India if i dont recharge for IR will IR will b deactivated automatcally or I have to visit BSNL customer care for deactivation of IR
IR pack will expire after the validity period. However, BSNL will automatically deduct the balance from your main account (if a talk time balance exists) and renew the pack. In that case, you can deactivate it by calling the customer care.