India’s telecoms regulator, the Department of Telecom (DoT), has issued new rules regarding the sale and validity of mobile phone SIM cards to foreigners. Along with a new standardized application process, the new rules are the latest way India’s DoT is working to deter mobile cybercrime at the hands of visiting foreigners.
How New DoT SIM Rules Affect You
1.Validity of SIM cards will be linked to the validity of your India Visa or 3 months, whichever is shorter.
What does this mean?
SIM Cards used to be good forever as long as they were recharged within a particular time frame. No longer. Regardless of the length of your India Visa, foreigners will have to reapply and purchase new SIM cards every 3 months. This also means your phone number will change every 3 months.
2. Foreigners may not have any bulk connections where more than 10 mobile phone connections are sold in any telecom circle.
What does this mean?
Not quite 1 per person, but close to that. Fewer SIM cards per person makes it easier to track down misuse by individuals.
3. Foreigners must now fill out a Consumer Application Form (CAF) prior to the sale of SIM cards.
What does this mean?
A copy of your passport and India visa has been required for years in order to purchase a SIM card. But now, along with these, foreigners must complete the CAF which requires proof of address in India. Guidelines state foreign applicants may use the address of a local reference, a tour operator, or a hotel where you are staying.
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at 9:25 pm
Do you know what the situation is regarding NRI’s getting SIM cards? I have an Indian passport but my permanent address written inside is of my home in Japan. They always give me a hard time regarding this, asking for my Indian visa (I don’t need one, dude!) and such. Any idea?
at 6:04 pm
I don’t. Excellent question. Let’s leave it up to the readers to reply…
at 7:06 pm
NRIs are not foreigners and this rule should not apply to them. I am an OCI (US Citizen) and purchased 4 SIM cards in November 2012 from BSNL by giving copies of my OCI Card and proof of address in India. Alternately, you may produce any Indian photo ID (PAN card, driver’s license, etc) and address proof to get the SIM without much hassle.
at 10:59 am
If i get a family member (Indian resident) to but an iphone sim for me i take it it’ll be cheaper?
Out of interest does anyone know how much one costs?
at 9:08 am
americandude,
what is considered as proof of address ?