Today, smartphones are an integral part of our lives. Because of this device, we can communicate over a long distance in real-time with so much ease. Cellphones are not just a communication device anymore, but our richest source of entertainment too. Nonetheless, it is equally important to get a SIM card for making your cellphone do what it is meant to do in the first place.
It should make and receive calls, send and receive SMS texts. Getting a SIM card in India, for example, is straightforward if you have a particular set of required documents. An Indian citizen can easily buy a SIM card based on a single document, i.e., Aadhaar card. Foreign nationals should produce extra documents to get a SIM card in the country. This applies in lots of places across the globe.
Places Where You Can Purchase a SIM Card
There are many places where you can buy a SIM card apart from the conventional outlets of the telecom companies near you. These days, SIM cards can be purchased even online. Foreign nationals can get them at the airport, allowing them to acquire a local SIM card as soon as they step into the country. In some developed countries, SIM vending machines are a new trend. Apart from these places, SIM cards are available at kiosks, newsstands, hypermarkets, shopping malls, and so on. In the future, the ubiquitous SIM cards might disappear with the evolution of the embedded SIMs or eSIMs. But it will take some years to get the physical SIM cards out of sight.
Documents Required to Take a SIM Card for an Indian National
Generally, an Aadhaar card is enough to buy a SIM card, but what if you don’t have one? In such a scenario, you will need to have the following documents:
- For proof of address, your rent agreement, electricity bill, landline telephone bill, bank passbook will be required along with a photocopy.
- For photo identity, your passport, voter ID card, driving license, and so on, will be needed along with its photocopy.
In some cases, only a single document will suffice as it may contain your photo as well as your complete address, such as your passport or driving license. Along with the documents you also need to take with you your passport-sized photographs (generally 1 but in some states 4 photos are mandatory). For more details, read our guide on documents considered valid to get a SIM card.
Instructions to Acquire a SIM Card for Indian Citizens
Follow the steps given below to buy a SIM card of your choice.
- Visit the desired telecom company’s outlet or a SIM card vendor’s store along with your document(s). The document like an Aadhaar card can be taken in the form of a hard copy (along with its photocopy) or a soft copy, available on the mAadhaar app.
- To do eKYC (online Know Your Customer), a hard copy of the Aadhaar card is not needed. However, some service providers ask for a hard copy for the purpose.
- Choose a SIM card with your desired number available with the vendor. Select the SIM card, and give it to the vendor to start the formalities for the purchase.
- The store personnel will ask you your Aadhaar number. For authentication, i.e., confirmation of your identity, they will scan your fingerprint as well.
- On the form, your signature will be taken, and your passport-sized photograph will be affixed. These days, many a time your photo is captured on the spot by the representative in the store.
- After the completion of the whole process, your SIM card will be handed over to you.
Are You a Foreign National? Here’s Procedure of Buying SIM Cards
If you are a foreigner visiting India for a limited time, a different set of documents will be needed to get a SIM card. The process also gets slightly dissimilar. A foreign national will have to fill out a paper form for identity verification before they acquire a SIM. If you are buying a prepaid SIM, visit the nearest vendor that has them. Make sure to bring your passport and its photocopy, a photocopy of your visa, and some passport-sized photographs.
If you are planning to buy a postpaid SIM card, you will need the same set of documents as in the case of prepaid SIMs. Moreover, you will also need a local reference and proof of a local address (such as a rent agreement or electricity bill). It is better to take an Indian national (a known person like a relative or friend) with you who can vouch for you. A representative from the telecom company might visit your local address (the one in your documents) within seven days of issuing the SIM, for the sake of address verification.
After submitting all the documents and completing the whole buying process, it will take a couple of hours or even days to get SIM cards activated. The activation time varies from state to state and carrier to carrier. If it takes longer than that, contact the vendor you have bought SIM cards from. Ask them to solve the issue for you.