How to Make an International Call to Dubai: Country Code & Examples

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Call Dubai from anywhere in the world with our simple guide

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 Fact Checked

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Dialing the Number

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Other Ways to Call

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Calling Considerations

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Exit Code List

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Q&A

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Tips

Dubai is the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With foreigners making up roughly 80% of the city’s population, Dubai is connected to countries all across the globe.^{[1]
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Research source} Making an international call to Dubai may seem tricky if you’ve never done it, but if you follow a few simple steps, you’ll catch on in no time.

Quick Steps

Dial the exit code for your country (011 if calling from the US or Canada).
Enter 971, the country code for the United Arab Emirates.
If dialing a landline: Press 4, then enter the 7-digit phone number.
If dialing a cell phone: Dial the operator prefix (5X), then the phone number.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Dialing the Number

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1
Dial the exit code of the country you are calling from. A country’s exit code must be dialed before making any international calls. This is also known as an international access code, and it varies from country to country.
- For a list of exit codes, jump to our section below.
- If you're calling from a cell phone, you can skip typing your exit code and instead dial +.
2
Press 971 immediately after your country’s exit code. This is the country code for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is the country Dubai is located in.
- For example, if you’re calling from the United States, your number will look like this so far: 011-971.
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3
Dial the number 4, then the 7-digit phone number to reach a landline. If you're calling a landline, you will first dial 4, which is Dubai's city calling code, and then the local number.^{[2]
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Research source}
- If you're calling a cell phone, skip to the next step.
- In our example, if you're calling from the US, the final number will look like 011-971-4-XXX-XXXX.
- If you see a number listed with the first two digits as "04," you will always drop the leading 0 when calling internationally.
4
Dial 5X then the 7-digit phone number to reach a cell phone. Mobile numbers in Dubai have associated operator prefixes. The prefix will be 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, or 58, depending on the mobile carrier. This operator prefix should be included in the number when it's given to you.
- In our example, if you're calling someone with a Virgin Mobile number in Dubai and you're from the US, the final number will look like 011-971-53-XXX-XXXX.
- If you see a number listed with the first three digits as "05X," you will always drop the leading 0 when calling internationally.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Other Ways to Call

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1
Use an international calling card to save money on long-distance calls. Calling cards can be purchased at most convenience stores, grocery stores, or online. These cards range in price, but using them could save you money in the long run.
- Check with your phone company to see how much they charge for long-distance calls and compare that rate to the cost of a calling card.
- Ask your phone company if they offer international calling plans that could save you money over time.
With differences in time zones, it can be tricky to find a time to talk on the phone that works for both parties. Consider chatting over the Internet through e-mail, Facebook Messenger, or another messaging service so you can respond to each other at your convenience.
3
Use a VoIP service. Many VoIP (which stands for "voice over internet protocol") services used to be blocked in the UAE, but since UAE citizens can use 2020 Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.^{[3]
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Research source} Other VoIP services like FaceTime and WhatsApp remain blocked.
- Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams can be used on a computer or via their mobile apps. You must connect to the internet or to cellular data to use any of these services.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Calling Considerations

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1
Account for the international time difference. Dubai operates on Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4), so if you’re calling internationally, it’s likely you’ll be calling from a different time zone. Check the current time in Dubai before you make your phone call so you don’t call someone at an inappropriate time.
- Dubai does not follow Daylight Savings Time.
- Make sure to check the time in Dubai before calling.
- "UTC" stands for Coordinated Universal Time.
While many people in Dubai speak English,^{[4]
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Research source} you may still encounter a language barrier, or you may be speaking to someone with an accent that is difficult to understand over the phone.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Exit Codes for Other Countries

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1
Exit codes vary by country. We've made a list of all of the exit codes used around the world, but this list is not exhaustive. To make sure you have the right exit code, check Google or your favorite search engine.^{[5]
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Research source}
- 011 is the exit code for the United States, Canada, a number of US territories, and a number of Caribbean islands.
- 00 is the exit code for almost all of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America, as well as some Asian countries.
  - Some countries, such as South Korea, Colombia, Brazil, Israel, Finland, and Indonesia use 00 but also allow or require extra digits to specify your carrier.
- 0011 is the exit code for Australia. No other countries are currently using 0011 as an exit code.
- 010 is the exit code for Japan, and it's the only country that currently uses this code.
- 001 is used by Guyana, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Thailand, and Cambodia.
- 002 is used by Taiwan.
- 0 is used by Samoa and Turks and Caicos.
- 000 is used by Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Singapore.
- 009 is only used by Nigeria.
- 1XX0 is used in Chile, where the "XX" changes depending on your phone carrier.
- 19XX is the exit code for Peru, where the "XX" is replaced by a specific carrier code.
- 810 is the exit code for a number of countries in Eastern Europe: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
- 99 is the exit code for North Korea.

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Question

Is Botim free in Dubai?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

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Unfortunately, no. While you can download the app and place calls for free, you need to purchase an unlimited calling package in order to use it in Dubai.

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How can I call Dubai for free?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can make free calls by connecting over a VoIP service, such as Botim or YzerChat. Keep in mind that many VoIP and video calling services, such as Facebook Messenger and Skype, are blocked in the UAE.

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Does WhatsApp work in Dubai?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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WhatsApp will work for texting, but most VoIP and online video calling services are currently blocked in Dubai. You may be able to get around this by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which can hide your IP address and help you bypass these blocks.

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Tips

If you are calling from within the United Arab Emirates, you do not need to dial the exit code or the country code. Add 0 before dialing 4 (the area code for Dubai), then proceed with the 7-digit telephone number.

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