Call UAE from anywhere in the world
Need to call someone in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or anywhere in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? The country code for UAE is +971. From most countries, you dial your international exit code, then 971, then the UAE number without its leading zero.
This guide shows exactly how to call UAE from India, the Philippines, the United States, and several other countries — with landline and mobile examples, a full area-code table, toll-free (800) notes, and the mistakes that cause calls to fail.
Quick rule: If a UAE number is written locally as 050 123 4567 or 04 234 5678, dial it internationally as +971 50 123 4567 or +971 4 234 5678 (drop the first 0, keep everything else).
What Is the UAE Country Code?
The UAE country code is +971 (also written as 971). It is sometimes called the UAE ISD code, international dialing code, or phone code for Dubai and the other emirates.
When you save a UAE contact in your phone, use the full international format:
+971 50 123 4567 (mobile example)
+971 4 234 5678 (Dubai landline example)
That + sign replaces your country’s exit code on smartphones. It is the most reliable format for WhatsApp contact cards, email signatures, and business websites.
Want to understand how UAE numbers are built (mobile prefixes, Dubai area code, toll-free 800)? Read our UAE phone number format guide.
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UAE Phone Number Format (Before You Dial)
UAE numbers look different on a business card than they do when you dial from abroad. Here is the short version.
Domestic format (inside UAE):
• Mobile: 050 123 4567, 052 123 4567, 055 123 4567, etc.
• Landline: 04 234 5678 (Dubai), 02 678 9012 (Abu Dhabi), etc.
• Toll-free: 800 XXXX (free for callers inside UAE only)
International format (calling UAE from another country):
• Mobile: +971 50 123 4567
• Landline: +971 4 234 5678
• Toll-free from abroad: +971 800 XXXX (may not connect; see toll-free section below)
Golden rule: Drop the leading 0 from the UAE number. Never dial +971 0…
UAE Mobile Number Prefixes
| Prefix (local) | International format | Common operator |
|---|---|---|
| 050, 054, 056 | +971 50 / 54 / 56 … | Etisalat (e&) |
| 052, 055, 058 | +971 52 / 55 / 58 … | du |
| 053 | +971 53 … | Virgin Mobile UAE |
Mobile numbers in UAE have 9 digits after +971 (for example +971 50 123 4567).
UAE Landline Area Codes (Emirates)
| City / emirate | Local area code | Dial from abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 02 | +971 2 XXX XXXX |
| Al Ain | 03 | +971 3 XXX XXXX |
| Dubai | 04 | +971 4 XXX XXXX |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain | 06 | +971 6 XXX XXXX |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 07 | +971 7 XXX XXXX |
| Fujairah | 09 | +971 9 XXX XXXX |
Landline numbers have 8 digits after +971 (1-digit emirate code + 7-digit subscriber number).
How to Call UAE from India
India's international exit code is 00. On most smartphones you can press and hold 0 to get + instead.
Dialing format from India:
00 + 971 + UAE number (without leading 0)
Or on mobile:
+971 + UAE number (without leading 0)
Example — Call a Dubai Mobile from India
UAE number on the contact card: 050 123 4567
From India, dial:
00 971 50 123 4567
Or from an Indian mobile:
+971 50 123 4567
Example — Call a Dubai Landline from India
UAE number: 04 234 5678
From India, dial:
00 971 4 234 5678
Or:
+971 4 234 5678
Example — Call Abu Dhabi from India
UAE number: 02 678 9012
From India, dial:
00 971 2 678 9012
Tips for callers in India:
• Check your mobile operator (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL) for international calling packs — per-minute rates to UAE change often.
• If the call fails, confirm you removed the leading 0 from the UAE number.
• For frequent business calls to UAE customers, a cloud phone system can reduce cost and keep caller ID consistent — contact Aancall to see what works for your use case.
• India is 1 hour 30 minutes ahead of UAE (IST vs GST, UTC+4). Good business hours overlap: roughly 11:00 AM–7:00 PM UAE time = 12:30 PM–8:30 PM IST.
How to Call UAE from the Philippines
The Philippines international access code is also 00. Mobile users can dial + instead.
Dialing format from the Philippines:
00 + 971 + UAE number (without leading 0)
Example:
00 971 50 123 4567
Example — Call Dubai from the Philippines
Contact shows: 04 456 7890
Dial from the Philippines:
00 971 4 456 7890
Or on a smartphone:
+971 4 456 7890
Tips for Filipino callers:
• Many Filipino workers in the UAE receive calls on UAE mobile numbers starting with 050, 052, or 055 — always drop the leading 0 when calling from the Philippines.
• Globe, Smart, and DITO offer international rates to UAE; compare prepaid IDD rates before long calls.
• The Philippines is 4 hours ahead of UAE. When it is 3:00 PM in Manila, it is 11:00 AM in Dubai.
• WhatsApp text messages to UAE work normally; WhatsApp voice/video calls may not work for the person inside UAE on a local SIM (see FAQ below).
How to Call UAE from the USA (and Canada)
The United States and Canada use exit code 011 (not 00). This is the most common mistake American callers make.
Dialing format from USA / Canada:
011 + 971 + UAE number (without leading 0)
On a US mobile, use + instead of 011:
+971 + UAE number (without leading 0)
Example — Call Dubai Mobile from the USA
UAE mobile: 055 123 4567
From the USA landline:
011 971 55 123 4567
From a US mobile:
+971 55 123 4567
Example — Call Abu Dhabi Landline from the USA
UAE landline: 02 678 9012
From the USA:
011 971 2 678 9012
Tips for US and Canadian callers:
• Do not dial 00 from the USA — that will not work on most US carriers.
• US carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.) charge international rates to UAE unless you have an add-on plan.
• UAE is 8 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (EST/EDT) and 12 hours ahead of US Pacific Time (PST/PDT) — check daylight saving when scheduling business calls.
• Calling a UAE toll-free 800 number from the USA often does not work or is not free — ask the business for a regular +971 number (explained below).
How to Call UAE from the UK, Pakistan, Australia & Other Countries
United Kingdom — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
Pakistan — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
Bangladesh — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
Saudi Arabia — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
Australia — exit code 0011 or + — mobile: 0011 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 0011 971 4 234 5678
New Zealand — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
South Africa — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
Nepal — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
Singapore — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
Malaysia — exit code 00 or + — mobile: 00 971 50 123 4567 — Dubai landline: 00 971 4 234 5678
On any smartphone worldwide, +971 followed by the number (without the leading 0) is usually the simplest method. Your phone replaces + with the correct exit code automatically.
How to Call UAE Toll-Free Numbers (800) from Abroad
UAE toll-free numbers usually start with 800 (for example 800 1234). They are free when someone calls from inside the UAE.
From India, the Philippines, the USA, or any other country, a UAE 800 number is usually not free — and sometimes it will not connect at all.
If you need to reach a UAE business from abroad:
1. Look for a regular +971 landline or mobile number on their website or email signature.
2. If only an 800 number is listed, try +971 800 XXXX from your mobile.
3. If the call fails, email or chat the company and ask for their international contact number.
Businesses that serve customers in India, the Philippines, the USA, and Europe often publish a standard +971 number alongside their 800 line. Aancall helps companies set up UAE toll-free and international routing — learn more here:
Common Mistakes When Calling UAE
1. Keeping the leading zero
Wrong: 00 971 050 123 4567
Right: 00 971 50 123 4567
2. Using the wrong exit code
Wrong from USA: 00 971 …
Right from USA: 011 971 … or +971 …
3. Adding a city code to mobile numbers
UAE mobiles do not use Dubai area code 04. Dial +971 50… not +971 4 50…
4. Confusing UAE (+971) with Saudi Arabia (+966) or Qatar (+974)
Double-check the country code before saving contacts.
5. Expecting UAE 800 numbers to work like US 1-800 numbers from abroad
They often do not. Use a regular +971 number when calling internationally.
6. Calling at the wrong local time
UAE uses Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4). There is no daylight saving time in UAE.
WhatsApp, FaceTime & VoIP Calls to UAE
Many people search "how to call UAE" when they really mean WhatsApp or FaceTime.
• WhatsApp text, photos, and voice notes work in the UAE.
• WhatsApp voice and video calls are blocked on UAE mobile networks (Etisalat, du) for users on local UAE SIMs.
• FaceTime and Skype voice calls face similar restrictions inside the UAE.
If you are in India, the Philippines, or the USA calling someone in UAE:
• You can still try WhatsApp voice — it may work depending on the recipient's network and device.
• The most reliable method to reach a UAE mobile or landline is a regular phone call using +971.
If your business makes high volumes of calls to UAE customers and faces blocked or flagged calls, read our separate guide:
UAE Emergency Numbers
If you are in the UAE and need help:
• Police: 999
• Ambulance: 998
• Fire (Civil Defence): 997
These are domestic UAE short codes. They are not dialed with +971 from abroad.
For Businesses Calling UAE Customers (or Receiving UAE Calls)
Individual callers can use the steps above with a normal mobile or landline line. Businesses with teams in India, the Philippines, the USA, or elsewhere often need:
• A consistent way to call UAE customers at scale
• A UAE toll-free (800) or local number so UAE callers can reach them
• Call forwarding, IVR, voicemail, and CRM integration
Aancall provides cloud business phone systems and UAE virtual numbers for global teams. If you are building a support line, sales line, or contact center that serves the UAE market, we can help you choose the right number type and routing.
FAQ
What is the country code for UAE?
The UAE country code is +971. You dial it after your country's exit code (00 from India, 011 from the USA, 0011 from Australia) or use + on a mobile phone.
How do I call UAE from India?
Dial 00, then 971, then the UAE phone number without the leading 0. Example: for UAE mobile 050 123 4567, dial 00 971 50 123 4567. On a smartphone you can dial +971 50 123 4567.
How do I call Dubai from India?
Dubai uses area code 04 inside UAE. For Dubai landline 04 234 5678, dial from India: 00 971 4 234 5678. For a Dubai mobile (050/052/055…), dial 00 971 followed by the 9-digit mobile number without the leading 0.
How do I call UAE from the Philippines?
Dial 00, then 971, then the UAE number without the leading 0. Example: 00 971 50 123 4567. On mobile, use +971 50 123 4567.
How do I call UAE from the USA?
From a US landline, dial 011, then 971, then the number without the leading 0. Example: 011 971 50 123 4567. From a US mobile, dial +971 50 123 4567.
How many digits are in a UAE mobile number?
After the country code +971, a UAE mobile number has 9 digits (for example +971 50 123 4567). A UAE landline has 8 digits after +971 (for example +971 4 234 5678).
Do I drop the zero when calling UAE?
Yes. UAE numbers written locally with a leading 0 (050, 04, 02…) lose that 0 when dialed internationally. 050 123 4567 becomes +971 50 123 4567.
Can I call UAE toll-free 800 numbers from India or the USA?
Sometimes, but not always. UAE 800 numbers are free inside the UAE only. From India, the Philippines, or the USA you may pay international rates, or the call may not connect. Ask the business for a regular +971 number.
Does WhatsApp calling work in UAE?
WhatsApp messaging works in the UAE. WhatsApp voice and video calls are blocked on UAE mobile networks for users on local Etisalat and du SIMs. To reach someone reliably, call their +971 phone number.
What time zone is UAE in?
UAE uses Gulf Standard Time (GST), UTC+4. There is no daylight saving time. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah all share the same time zone.
