eSIM for India: Travel eSIM vs Indian Tourist SIM, KYC, UPI and OTPs

Yes, a travel eSIM works in India. Foreign SIMs and eSIMs are allowed to roam on Indian networks, so an eSIM for India installed in the UK gives you data on Airtel or Vi as soon as you land, without the passport, visa and KYC checks needed for an Indian tourist SIM. A local India data SIM card is still worth having if you need an Indian phone number for OTP codes or plan a long stay.

Last checked: 27 October 2026. Indian telecoms and payment rules change, so check GOV.UK India travel advice and the operators' own pages before you travel.

Travel eSIM or Indian tourist SIM: the short answer

• Choose a travel eSIM if you want data the moment you land, are on a holiday of a few weeks, or would rather skip the paperwork and the wait for activation.
• Choose an Indian tourist SIM if you need an Indian number for apps that send OTP codes, will make lots of local calls, or are staying for months.
• Many travellers do both: a travel eSIM for the first days, then a local SIM once they are settled and have an address to give.
• Keep your UK SIM for bank texts. Most recent phones run a physical SIM and an eSIM side by side. Travel eSIMs are data only.

Do foreign eSIMs work in India?

Yes. Using a foreign SIM or travel eSIM on roaming in India is permitted. The rules that do exist are aimed at companies selling foreign roaming SIMs inside India: under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) policy revised in January 2022, those sellers need a DoT No Objection Certificate and must check each buyer's passport and visa. We found no DoT change in 2026 that stops visitors using a travel eSIM they bought before leaving home.

Two practical points are worth knowing:

• Regional shutdowns: Indian authorities sometimes suspend mobile internet in specific areas during unrest. A suspension applies to the networks in that area, so it affects roaming eSIMs and local SIMs alike.
• Coverage: cities and the main tourist routes have strong 4G and 5G, but signal can drop in hill areas, deserts and on long train journeys.

Indian networks: Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL

SimplySIM eSIM plans for India

On 27 October 2026, SimplySIM plans included:

All plans are on the India eSIM page. If you are combining India with Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bhutan, the South Asia (6 areas) 5GB 30 Days plan (£16.85) covers India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Not sure how much to buy? See how much mobile data you need for a week abroad.

Getting an Indian tourist SIM at the airport

You can buy a prepaid SIM as a foreign tourist, but it takes more than a quick swipe of a passport. Indian rules require every SIM to be registered to a real, verified person (KYC). Expect to be asked for:

• Your passport.
• Your Indian visa or e-visa approval. Bring a printout of your e-visa.
• A passport-size photo, although some sellers take one at the counter.
• A local address, usually your hotel, and sometimes a local reference.

You do not need an Aadhaar card, which is only for residents. Operator counters and authorised sellers are often found in arrivals at the larger international airports, but opening hours and stock vary, so do not rely on one after a late arrival.

Activation delays: buying the SIM is not the same as having it work. Reports from travellers in 2026 range from under an hour to two or three days before a foreign customer's SIM is fully active, because the KYC check has to be completed first. This is the main reason many visitors arrive with a travel eSIM already installed. Your phone must also be network-unlocked for either option.

UK roaming charges in India

India is outside the European roaming zones, so it falls under each UK network's worldwide or rest-of-world pricing, which is far higher than European rates. As an example, Three's roaming page lists daily charges of £5, £7 or £8, depending on when you joined, for destinations your plan does not include, and pay-as-you-go data outside a pass is charged per MB. Rates vary by network and by plan, so check your own network's India page, and read our UK roaming charges guide. If you use a travel eSIM, turn off data roaming on your UK SIM so you are not charged by mistake.

OTP codes and the Indian phone number problem

Many Indian apps and websites send a one-time password (OTP) by text to an Indian mobile number. A data-only travel eSIM cannot receive these, and some Indian services will not accept a UK number at all. Things to sort out before you go:

• Trains: the official IRCTC site lets international users register with a non-Indian mobile number and email, with a small registration fee. Codes can be slow to arrive, so set it up at home.
• Taxis and food delivery: some ride and delivery apps accept UK numbers and some do not. Try signing up before you travel.
• Your UK bank: keep your UK SIM active in the phone so you still receive card payment codes. Our dual SIM settings guide shows how.

If you find you keep needing an Indian number, that is when a local tourist SIM earns its place, alongside your travel eSIM.

UPI for tourists: can you pay like a local?

UPI, India's instant payment system, is everywhere, from street stalls to rickshaws, and it normally needs an Indian bank account and Indian number. For visitors, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) runs UPI One World, a prepaid wallet you load with a foreign card or cash after a passport and visa check.

What we could confirm: in February 2026, NPCI offered UPI One World to international visitors at the India AI Impact Summit, through the CheqUPI app from Transcorp and issuers at Delhi airport, without needing an Indian number. Reported limits were Rs 25,000 per load and two loads a month. What we could not confirm: whether it is available to every tourist at every airport today. Check the NPCI website or ask at the airport, and carry a card and some cash as back-up.

e-Visa and e-Arrival card

British citizens need a visa for India unless they hold an OCI card. Most tourists use the e-visa, which you apply for only on the official site, indianvisaonline.gov.in. Lookalike sites charge extra fees. According to GOV.UK India entry requirements, foreign nationals must also complete an e-Arrival card online up to 72 hours before arrival. It is not a visa.

Visiting the Taj Mahal

Agra and the Taj Mahal are on most first trips to India, often as part of the Delhi, Agra and Jaipur Golden Triangle. Coverage in Agra is good, but you will want data for e-tickets, maps and booking transport between cities. Our Taj Mahal eSIM guide covers tickets, timings and staying connected on the visit.

Setting up your eSIM for India

1. Check your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, using our compatibility checker.
2. Buy a plan and install it at home on Wi-Fi.
3. The plan starts when it first connects to a network in India, so leave it switched off until you land.
4. On arrival, set the eSIM as your mobile data line, turn on data roaming for the eSIM and turn it off for your UK SIM.

Our guide to setting up an eSIM on different devices covers iPhone and Android.

FAQs

Does a travel eSIM work in India?

Yes. Foreign eSIMs roam on Indian networks. SimplySIM's India plans use Airtel for fixed-data plans and Vi for unlimited plans. You do not need to register a roaming eSIM in India.

How do I get an Indian tourist SIM?

Buy one from an operator counter or shop with your passport, visa, a photo and a local address. Activation can take from under an hour to a couple of days while KYC checks are completed.

Which is the best eSIM for India?

For most UK visitors, a fixed-data plan such as India 5GB or 10GB for 30 days covers a two-week trip of maps, messaging and bookings. Heavy users can choose an unlimited plan. Compare them on the India eSIM page.

Can I receive OTPs on a travel eSIM in India?

No. Travel eSIMs are data only, so they cannot receive texts. Keep your UK SIM in your phone for UK codes, and get an Indian SIM if you need an Indian number.

Can tourists use UPI in India?

Possibly, through NPCI's UPI One World wallet, which was offered to foreign visitors at Delhi airport in 2026. We could not confirm it is available everywhere, so carry a card and cash too.

Is roaming in India expensive on UK networks?

Usually, yes. India is outside European roaming zones, so it falls under worldwide pricing. Check your network's India rates before you go, or use a travel eSIM for data.