How to call the UAE from South Africa
- From mobile
- +971 x xxx xxxx
- From landline
- 00 971 x xxx xxxx
From $0.35/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial the UAE from South Africa
How to make a call to the UAE from South Africa: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. Drop the 0 before an area code: Dubai is 4, not 04, so the number after 971 is an 8-digit number.
- 00South Africa exit code
- 971Country code of the UAE
- 4Dubai
- xxx xxxxLocal number
- From a mobile: +971 x xxx xxxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +971 2 234 5678
- Mobile
- +971 2 234 5678
- Landline
- 00 971 2 234 5678
Main area codes in the UAE
The area code comes right after 971, then the local number
- Dubai00 9714then 7 digits
- Abu Dhabi00 9712then 7 digits
- Sharjah00 9716then 7 digits
- Al Ain City00 9713then 7 digits
- Fujairah00 9719then 7 digits
- Ras Alkhaimah00 9717then 7 digits
Before you call the UAE
Call Abu Dhabi and other cities
Each city has one area code after 971.
- Abu Dhabi00 971 2
- Al Ain City00 971 3
- Fujairah00 971 9
Save UAE contacts without the 0
For calling the UAE cell phones you saved, remove the 0 that follows +971.
- Fails
- +971 0 4 xxx xxxx
- Works
- +971 4 xxx xxxx
Check the time difference
The time difference to Johannesburg stays at 2 hours in every month.
Calling the UAE from South Africa without an international plan
Suparelay calls the UAE for $0.35/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in South Africa charge up to $0.29/min. Cell C and MTN include no UAE calls in a plan, and Vodacom needs International Calling Plus for its lower rate.
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan needed | $0.35 landline$0.37 mobile |
 | $0.29 |
 | $0.24 |
 | $0.28$0.15 with plan |
Want to call the UAE?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call the UAE
The time now in the UAE, and the best hours to call
- Time difference
- All year: 2 hours ahead of Johannesburg
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
Why a call to the UAE fails
Cell C contracts need activation first
A Cell C contract has no international calling until Customer Care activates it. Call 135 before you dial abroad.
Cell C, International CallingVodacom standard calling costs more per minute
Vodacom's standard international calling has higher rates than International Calling Plus, which bills per second. Plus is an upgrade, so ask Vodacom to switch it on.
Vodacom, Affordable International Calling RatesFrom any country, a call to the UAE also fails when
- The 0 is still in the number
- The exit code is wrong for your country
Questions
How to call the UAE from a South Africa cell phone or mobile?
Dial +971, then the number. It works from any mobile in South Africa
How do I call the UAE from South Africa?
Dial 00 971, then the number. From a mobile, +971 works too
Are calls to the UAE included in South Africa phone plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in South Africa that we checked includes the UAE in a plan
How much does it cost to call the UAE from South Africa?
With no plan, carriers in South Africa charge up to $0.29 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Dubai from South Africa?
For Dubai, dial 00 971 4, then the 7-digit local number
Do I need to dial 00 to call the UAE?
From a landline, yes: dial 00, then 971. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How do I dial a +971 number?
Press and hold 0 until + appears, then dial 971 and the number
Can I call the UAE on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 971 and the number. Your plan must allow calls to the UAE
Why isn't my call going through to the UAE?
The usual causes: the 0 is still in the number and the exit code is wrong for your country. Each one is listed above, with a link to its fix
How to call the UAE from South Africa for free?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How to call the UAE from South Africa on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in the UAE without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
How to call the UAE landline from South Africa?
From a landline in South Africa, dial 00 971, then the number
When is the best time to call the UAE?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in the UAE. All year: 2 hours ahead of Johannesburg