eSIM for Tourists in the Philippines: Arrival Guide

May bisita ka from abroad? Or you're a foreigner landing in Manila, Cebu or Clark and you want data before you leave the airport. This page is for you, and for the Filipino friend or tita who keeps getting asked "what SIM should I buy?"

We checked Smart's and Globe's tourist pages, the SIM Registration Act and one worldwide eSIM listing on 29 October 2026. Plans change often, so use the official links in our sources for current offers.

eSIMs.ph is an independent guide run by Dominet BV. We're not a mobile network, telco or eSIM seller, and we don't sell, activate or register SIMs. Some links on this site may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you buy through them. Telcos we mention don't pay us anything. That never changes what we write. Read our affiliate disclosure. Nothing here is legal advice. Follow the registration steps your network gives you.

First: can your phone take an eSIM?

Two checks before you buy anything:

1. It supports eSIM. Dial *#06#. If you see an EID, it does. Apple says eSIM works on iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later, though some iPhones sold in China mainland, Hong Kong and Macao don't have it. Our compatible phones guide covers Android.
2. It's unlocked. If your phone is tied to your home carrier, a Philippine eSIM won't work. Apple says to check under Settings, General, About. Smart also says the device must be unlocked.

Your two options

Option A: a local Philippine eSIM (Smart or Globe)

You get a Philippine mobile number for calls, texts, OTPs and local apps, and data on that network. In exchange, you register it under the SIM Registration Act.

Option B: a travel eSIM from a worldwide seller

Sellers such as Airalo list Philippine eSIMs you buy in an app before you fly. Airalo's Philippines listing, checked on 29 October 2026, described a 5G data-only eSIM on the Smart network covering the main islands, including Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and Boracay. Data-only means no Philippine number. Apple lists both routes, a local carrier eSIM or one from a worldwide provider, as ways to get data when travelling.

Which fits you?

SIM registration for tourists

The SIM Registration Act, Republic Act No. 11934, says SIMs are sold in a deactivated state and only work after registration. For foreigners, Section 5(e) asks for your full name, nationality, passport number and address in the Philippines.

For tourists, Section 5(e)(1) lists:

• your passport
• proof of address in the Philippines, such as your hotel booking
• a return ticket, or any ticket showing the date and time you leave the Philippines

The same section says SIMs registered this way are valid for 30 days, then automatically deactivated.

Foreigners on other visas register under Section 5(e)(2), which lists a passport, proof of address, and, as applicable, an Alien Employment Permit, an ACR I-Card, school registration and ID for students, or other pertinent documents.

The law also sets penalties for giving false information, so register with your own real details. Never use a SIM someone else registered.

Globe: the Traveler eSIM

Globe sells a Prepaid Traveler eSIM for people visiting the Philippines. Globe says you can install it before you arrive.

Globe's steps:

1. Download GlobeOne from the Play Store or App Store.
2. Open the app and choose "Purchase an eSIM for PH visitors".
3. Choose a promo and pay.
4. Download and install the eSIM.
5. Register the eSIM when you arrive in the Philippines.

Globe accepts Visa, Mastercard and JCB cards for this. As listed by Globe on 29 October 2026, one tourist plan was 20 GB for PHP500 over 15 days, with PHP99 added for the eSIM. Check Globe's Traveler page for the full and current list.

Prefer a physical SIM? Globe says its Traveler SIM is sold in the arrival areas of NAIA Terminals 1 and 3, Clark International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

More on Globe in our Globe eSIM guide.

Smart: eSIM online or at the airport

Smart's eSIM page lists these places to buy a Smart Prepaid eSIM:

• manned Smart booths in Metro Manila, Clark, Mactan Cebu, Kalibo and Davao airports
• Smart Stores
• Smart's online store, and Smart's stores on Lazada and Shopee

When buying online, Smart asks for an alternate mobile number, which can be a foreign number, and an email address, and you view the QR code after payment. Then register at Smart's SIM registration site, which Smart lists as smart.com.ph/simreg.

As listed by Smart on 29 October 2026, the basic Smart Prepaid eSIM was P99, with bundles of P399 and P599 that include load. See our Smart eSIM guide for details.

Data-only travel eSIMs: what to know

Travel eSIMs are popular because you install them at home and switch on data on landing. A few things to weigh:

• No local number. You can't receive Philippine OTPs or calls from local drivers on a data-only plan.
• The underlying network. Airalo's listing says its Philippines eSIM runs on Smart. Other sellers may use other networks. Coverage outside cities depends on that network.
• Activation timing. Airalo's help pages say validity usually starts when the eSIM connects to a network in its coverage area, but some plans start as soon as you install. Read the package's validity policy before you install early.
• Refunds. Read the seller's refund rules before buying. Airalo, for example, says expired or fully used eSIMs aren't eligible, and its refunds come as Airmoney, its in-app credit.

We compare travel eSIM brands on our sister site, TravelESIM.ph, in its Airalo review.

On iPhone: keeping your home number

Apple's travel eSIM page says you can have two eSIMs active at once on supported iPhones, one for your home number and one for the place you're visiting. If you keep both lines on, Apple says your primary line keeps working. If you use only the travel eSIM, Apple says FaceTime and iMessage keep working.

With iOS 26 and later, Apple says you may see a "Turn On Travel eSIM" prompt when you arrive. You can pick Travel eSIM Only, or Travel eSIM and Current eSIM. If you choose both, the travel eSIM is used for data, but Apple warns you might still incur roaming fees from your home eSIM. Check your home carrier's roaming settings before you fly.

If the eSIM won't connect after landing

Go through these before you queue at a booth:

• Check the data line. Make sure the new eSIM, not your home line, is set for mobile data.
• Check registration. A local Smart or Globe SIM stays deactivated until it's registered, under RA 11934.
• Check the lock. A locked phone can install a profile and still refuse service.
• Restart the phone once the eSIM is installed.
• Contact the seller through its official app or help page. Don't delete the eSIM first. Ask support whether it can be reinstalled before you remove anything.

Arrival day checklist

1. Install your eSIM on hotel or home Wi-Fi before the flight, if your option allows it.
2. Keep your home SIM for calls or bank OTPs, but turn off data roaming on it so you don't get charged.
3. On landing, set the new eSIM as your mobile data line.
4. For a local eSIM, register it with your passport, address and onward ticket.
5. Save the QR code and your registration confirmation.

For Filipinos helping a visitor

Don't register a SIM in your own name for a foreign guest. The law asks each user to register under their own details, and the penalties for false information are real. Help them do it on their phone instead.

Frequently asked questions

Can tourists get an eSIM in the Philippines?

Yes. Globe sells a Traveler eSIM in its GlobeOne app, and Smart sells eSIMs online and at airport booths. Worldwide sellers also offer data-only eSIMs for the Philippines.

What do tourists need to register a SIM?

Under RA 11934, a passport, proof of address in the Philippines and a return or onward ticket. The SIM is valid for 30 days.

Kailangan bang i-register ang eSIM ng turista?

Oo, kung local Smart o Globe eSIM ito. The law says SIMs work only after registration. A data-only travel eSIM from a foreign seller works differently, so check that seller's terms.

Can I install a Philippine eSIM before I fly?

Globe says its Traveler eSIM can be installed before you arrive and registered on arrival. Smart's online store also sends the QR after payment.

What if I stay longer than 30 days?

The law says tourist registrations are valid for 30 days. If your visa or stay changes, ask your network how to register under the rules for other visas.

Is a travel eSIM or a local eSIM cheaper?

It depends on your trip length and data use. Compare current plans on the official pages on the day you buy, since prices change often.