eSIM for International Travel: Everything You Need to Know
How to get local mobile data in any country without hunting for a physical SIM card — and why it costs 5-10x less than roaming.
Pick your destination, scan the QR code — and you're online at local rates. Up to 10x cheaper than roaming, no physical SIM card needed. Your home number stays active. New users get 500 MB free.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of queuing at an airport kiosk, you buy a plan online, scan a QR code — and have local internet within minutes.
| Option | 10 GB costs | Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier roaming | $30–80 | automatic, but expensive per GB |
| Local SIM at the airport | $10–20 | queue, passport, new number |
| IMBA eSIM | $5–12 | QR in 1 minute, same number |
Regional plans cover multiple countries — convenient for multi-stop trips. Full list of 190+ destinations with prices is in your dashboard.
Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum — online from the moment you land.
Guide: eSIM in Turkey →Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto — fast 4G/LTE across the entire country.
Reliable coverage across the Emirates, including free zones.
One plan works across all EU countries — no switching needed.
Nationwide coverage via T-Mobile and AT&T partner networks.
Asia, Americas, Africa, Middle East — full list and prices in your dashboard.
Three steps from sign-up to internet
In the dashboard, choose your destination country and data amount — from 1 GB to unlimited.
Pay via your IMBA balance. Top up with USDT, BTC, or bank transfer. No specific card required.
Scan the QR code in your phone settings — done. The eSIM profile is active and data starts flowing. No physical SIM.
Europe, Asia, Middle East, Americas, Africa. There is a plan for any destination.
Scan the QR — done. No store visit, no hunting for a local shop, no waiting for delivery.
Carrier roaming can cost $5–10 per GB. IMBA eSIM runs $0.50–1.50 per GB in most destinations.
Your home number stays active. Calls and texts come through as normal on your primary SIM.
XS and later, including SE 2020+. US iPhone 14+ models are eSIM-only — no physical SIM slot.
Google Pixel 4+, Samsung Galaxy S21+, and most flagship phones from 2021 onward.
To check your phone: dial *#06# — if you see an EID number in the list, eSIM is supported. On iPhone: Settings, then Cellular, then Add eSIM.
Not sure yet? Try it risk-free: sign up, follow IMBA on Telegram, and activate the Start plan — 500 MB eSIM plus VPN for 7 days. Enough for maps, messaging, and getting around on your first day abroad.
IMBA also includes VLESS Reality VPN and a virtual Visa/Mastercard — one dashboard, one balance.
eSIM guides and tips
How to get local mobile data in any country without hunting for a physical SIM card — and why it costs 5-10x less than roaming.
Traveling to Turkey? Here's how to get affordable mobile data without paying roaming fees — and what to know about internet access there.
Everything you need to know to install and activate an eSIM on your iPhone — from iPhone XS to iPhone 16.
Everything about eSIM
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of a physical card, your carrier writes a profile remotely via a QR code. No need to visit a store or handle a plastic SIM.
iPhone XS and later (iPhone 14+ US models are eSIM-only). Android: Pixel 4+, Galaxy S21+, and most flagship phones from 2021 onward. Quick check: dial *#06# — if you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM.
5–10x cheaper in most destinations. Example: 10 GB in Germany costs $50–80 with carrier roaming; the same via IMBA eSIM runs $5–10. The difference is even larger in Turkey, Thailand, and UAE.
Before you leave — you need an internet connection to download the eSIM profile. Data usage on most plans only starts when your phone connects to a local network at your destination.
Yes. The eSIM works as a second profile: your primary SIM keeps receiving calls and texts (including bank codes), while the eSIM handles data.
Buy a new data package in the dashboard — it activates automatically. No new QR code needed.
Yes, hotspot mode works on most plans.
The profile stays on your phone but stops consuming data. Before your next trip, buy a new package — the same profile activates again.
Internet in any country. Active in under a minute.
Get eSIM →