How to Call India from UAE: Complete Guide (WhatsApp Unblocked 2025)
Bypass VoIP restrictions and call India freely from Dubai, Abu Dhabi & all UAE
📖 17 min read · Updated October 26, 2025
Living in UAE and frustrated that WhatsApp calling doesn't work? You've discovered one of the biggest challenges of living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere in the Emirates—VoIP calling apps are blocked by the government.
Here's the reality: WhatsApp calls, Skype, FaceTime Audio—none of them work in UAE. The government blocks these services to protect local telecom companies. This means calling India through traditional methods costs a fortune, often AED 2-3 per minute.
But there's good news. You have solutions. A VPN can unblock WhatsApp calling instantly, letting you make free calls to India. If you're traveling to India, eSIM plans give you local data rates. In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to call India from UAE without breaking the bank. Let's get you connected.
đź”– Quick Navigation
The UAE VoIP Blocking Problem
If you just moved to UAE or are visiting, you've probably already tried calling someone and realized your favorite apps don't work. Here's what's happening.
What's Blocked in UAE
The UAE government blocks Voice over IP (VoIP) services. This includes:
| App/Service | Status in UAE | Workaround |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Calling | ❌ Blocked | VPN required |
| Skype | ❌ Blocked | VPN required |
| FaceTime Audio | ❌ Blocked | VPN required |
| Google Voice | ❌ Blocked | VPN required |
| Viber | ❌ Blocked | VPN required |
| Telegram Calling | ❌ Blocked | VPN required |
| WhatsApp Text | âś… Works | None needed |
| Botim/C'Me | âś… Approved | Paid subscription |
⚠️ Important Note
WhatsApp messages and text work fine in UAE—only voice and video calling are blocked. You can chat with family, but you can't call them without a VPN.
Why UAE Blocks VoIP
The UAE government blocks free calling apps to protect its two state-owned telecom companies: Etisalat and Du. When people use WhatsApp or Skype for free, these companies lose money from international calling revenue. The government also cites security and monitoring concerns as reasons for the restrictions.
The Cost of Traditional Calling
Without free calling apps, your options from UAE telecom providers are expensive:
- Etisalat to India: AED 1.99 per minute (â‚ą45 per minute)
- Du to India: AED 1.99 per minute (â‚ą45 per minute)
- 30-minute call cost: AED 60 (â‚ą1,350)
- Monthly cost (10 hours): AED 1,200 (â‚ą27,000)
These rates are outrageous. That's why finding alternatives is so important. For more context on calling challenges from restricted countries, see our guide on the best VPNs for calling from restricted regions.
Quick Comparison: At a Glance
| Method | Cost | Works in UAE? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN + WhatsApp | AED 12.50/month | âś… Yes | Everyone |
| Airalo eSIM | From AED 16.50 | Only in India | India travelers |
| Saily eSIM | From AED 14.70 | Only in India | India travelers |
| Yesim eSIM | From AED 13.80 | Only in India | Budget travelers |
| Botim/C'Me | AED 50/month | âś… Yes | No VPN allowed |
| Etisalat/Du Direct | AED 1.99/min | âś… Yes | Emergency only |
Best Solution: VPN + WhatsApp (Unblock Everything)
A VPN is the best solution for calling India from UAE. It unblocks all calling apps instantly and costs less than a cup of coffee per month. Here's how it works.
NordVPN
Best for UAEBest for: UAE residents who want unlimited free calling to India
How it works: Download NordVPN, connect to a server outside UAE (like UK or Germany), and all your blocked calling apps suddenly work. WhatsApp calling, Skype, FaceTime—everything becomes accessible. Once connected, you can make completely free calls to India over WiFi or data.
đź’ˇ Why NordVPN Works in UAE
NordVPN uses special obfuscation technology that disguises your VPN traffic as regular browsing. UAE's deep packet inspection can't detect it, so it works reliably even though the government tries to block VPNs. It's specifically designed to work in restrictive countries like UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia.
Pros
- Unblocks all calling apps instantly
- Works reliably in UAE
- Much cheaper than Botim/C'Me
- Unlimited free WhatsApp calls
- Protects your privacy
- Works on 6 devices simultaneously
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Requires subscription
- Technically against UAE regulations
- Slight speed reduction
Pricing (in AED):
- 2-year plan: AED 12.50/month (best value)
- 1-year plan: AED 18.40/month
- Monthly plan: AED 47.80/month
Setup time: 5 minutes
Risk-free trial: 30-day money-back guarantee. Try it and get a full refund if it doesn't work.
⚠️ Legal Considerations
Using VPNs for personal communication is common in UAE, though technically in a legal gray area. Many expats use VPNs daily without issues. However, using VPNs for illegal activities is strictly forbidden. We recommend using VPNs responsibly for personal family calls only.
How to Set Up VPN in UAE (Simple Steps)
Step 1: Get NordVPN
- Visit NordVPN
- Choose the 2-year plan (AED 12.50/month)
- Complete payment
- Check your email for account details
Step 2: Download the App
- Download NordVPN from App Store or Google Play
- Install and open the app
- Log in with your account
Step 3: Connect to VPN
- Tap "Quick Connect" in the app
- Wait 5-10 seconds for connection
- Look for green "Connected" status
Step 4: Start Calling India
- Open WhatsApp
- Make your call normally
- Enjoy free, clear calling!
For detailed setup instructions, check our complete NordVPN setup guide.
Which Servers Work Best from UAE
For fastest speeds and most reliable connection from UAE, use these server locations:
- Germany: Closest to UAE, fastest speeds
- UK: Very fast, excellent reliability
- France: Good speeds, consistent
- Singapore: Decent speeds, closer geographically
Avoid servers too far away (like USA or Australia) as they'll slow down your connection more.
eSIM Solutions: Best When Traveling to India
If you're traveling from UAE to India, eSIM plans are perfect. They give you local Indian data rates, and you don't need a VPN in India since there are no calling restrictions there.
Airalo eSIM
Best for India TravelBest for: UAE residents traveling to India
How it works: Before leaving UAE, buy an Indian eSIM plan on the Airalo app. When you land in India, activate it, and you'll have fast mobile data everywhere. Use WhatsApp freely to call back to UAE or anywhere else—no restrictions, no VPN needed.
đź’ˇ Why eSIM Beats International Roaming
Etisalat and Du charge AED 30-50 per day for roaming in India. That's AED 900-1,500 per month! Airalo gives you an entire month of data for AED 30-70 depending on your needs. You'll save thousands of dirhams.
Pros
- Much cheaper than UAE roaming
- Works everywhere in India
- No VPN needed in India
- Keep UAE number for texts
- Fast 4G/5G speeds
- Easy setup
Cons
- Only works in India
- Requires eSIM phone
- Data-only (use apps for calls)
Pricing for India (in AED):
- 1GB (7 days) - AED 16.50
- 3GB (30 days) - AED 40.50
- 5GB (30 days) - AED 62.50
- 10GB (30 days) - AED 95.60
Perfect for: Using WhatsApp to make unlimited free calls while in India. 1GB = 1,000+ minutes of calling.
Get Airalo eSIM for India →Saily eSIM
Premium ChoiceBest for: UAE travelers wanting reliable data with excellent support
Pricing for India (in AED):
- 1GB (7 days) - AED 14.70
- 3GB (30 days) - AED 36.80
- 5GB (30 days) - AED 55.10
Yesim eSIM
Budget OptionBest for: Budget-conscious UAE travelers
Pricing for India (in AED):
- 1GB (7 days) - AED 13.80
- 3GB (30 days) - AED 33.00
- 5GB (30 days) - AED 49.60
For a detailed comparison of these eSIM providers, see our complete guide to the best eSIM for India travel.
UAE-Approved Apps (Limited Options)
UAE does allow two official calling apps, but they're expensive and not worth it for most people.
Botim & C'Me
UAE ApprovedBest for: People who absolutely cannot use a VPN
How it works: These are the only two calling apps officially approved by UAE government. They work without a VPN, but you must pay a monthly subscription to use them.
Pros
- Works without VPN
- Officially legal in UAE
- Can call any number
Cons
- Expensive (AED 50/month)
- Poor call quality
- Not widely used in India
- Requires subscription
- Limited features
Cost: AED 50 per month (AED 600 per year)
Our take: Botim and C'Me cost 4x more than NordVPN (AED 50 vs AED 12.50/month) and offer worse quality. Unless your company prohibits VPN use, NordVPN is a much better value. You get unlimited WhatsApp calling for less money and better quality.
Which Method Should You Choose?
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
Living in UAE permanently? → Get NordVPN for AED 12.50/month. Unblocks WhatsApp and all calling apps.
Traveling to India next month? → Use NordVPN in UAE, then switch to Airalo eSIM when in India (from AED 16.50).
On a strict budget? → NordVPN at AED 12.50/month is your cheapest unlimited option. Way better than Botim at AED 50/month.
Cannot use VPN? → Botim is your only option (AED 50/month), but it's expensive and quality isn't great.
Cost Comparison Over One Year
Let's compare the real annual cost of each method for calling India from UAE:
| Method | Annual Cost (AED) | Savings vs Etisalat |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN (2-year plan) | AED 150 | Save AED 14,250 |
| Botim/C'Me | AED 600 | Save AED 13,800 |
| Airalo eSIM (while in India) | AED 200-350 | Save AED 14,000+ |
| Etisalat/Du Direct (5 hours/month) | AED 14,400 | - |
The savings are enormous. Even Botim saves you AED 13,800 per year compared to calling directly through Etisalat or Du. But NordVPN saves you even more—over AED 14,000 annually—while giving you better quality and more flexibility.
The Smart UAE Strategy
Here's what most Indian expats in UAE do:
- Daily calling from UAE: Use NordVPN + WhatsApp (AED 12.50/month)
- When traveling to India: Buy Airalo eSIM (from AED 16.50/week)
- Emergency calls: Keep some Etisalat/Du credit as backup
This combination gives you unlimited calling for under AED 20/month—97% cheaper than traditional calling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't WhatsApp calling work in UAE?
The UAE government blocks WhatsApp calling (and all VoIP services) to protect local telecom companies Etisalat and Du. When people use free calling apps, these companies lose international calling revenue. WhatsApp messages and text work fine—only voice and video calls are blocked.
Is using a VPN legal in UAE?
Using VPNs in UAE is technically in a legal gray area. Many expats use VPNs for personal communication without issues. However, the law states that using VPNs for illegal activities or to commit crimes is prohibited. We recommend using VPNs responsibly for personal family calls only. Always check current regulations and use at your own discretion.
What is the cheapest way to call India from UAE?
The cheapest way is NordVPN (AED 12.50/month) plus WhatsApp calling. This gives you unlimited free calls to India for less than the cost of one traditional call. It's 97% cheaper than calling directly through Etisalat or Du, and even cheaper than Botim (AED 50/month).
Does FaceTime work in UAE?
No, FaceTime Audio and FaceTime video calls are blocked in UAE. However, you can unblock FaceTime by using a VPN like NordVPN. Connect to the VPN first, then FaceTime works normally. iMessage text works fine without a VPN—only the calling features are blocked.
Can I use Botim to call India?
Yes, Botim is one of the two officially approved calling apps in UAE (along with C'Me). It works without a VPN and costs AED 50 per month. However, it's more expensive than using NordVPN (AED 12.50/month) with WhatsApp, and the call quality is generally worse. Most people prefer the VPN option for better value and quality.
How much does it cost to call India from UAE mobile?
Calling India directly from Etisalat or Du costs AED 1.99 per minute. A 30-minute call costs AED 60. If you call India for 5 hours per month, that's AED 600 monthly or AED 7,200 annually. This is extremely expensive—using NordVPN plus WhatsApp for AED 12.50/month saves you over AED 14,000 per year.
Which VPN works best in UAE?
NordVPN is the most reliable VPN for UAE. It uses obfuscation technology specifically designed to bypass UAE's VPN detection systems. It consistently works even when the government tries to block VPNs. Other VPNs often fail in UAE because they don't have this advanced technology.
Final Thoughts
Living in UAE doesn't mean you have to pay AED 1,200 per month for international calls. With the right solution, you can call India for free or nearly free.
For most people living in UAE, NordVPN is the answer. At just AED 12.50 per month, it unblocks WhatsApp calling and gives you unlimited free calls to India. Setup takes 5 minutes, and it works reliably across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and all of UAE. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it risk-free.
Traveling to India? Pair your VPN with an Airalo eSIM starting at AED 16.50 for local Indian data. Use the VPN in UAE, then switch to the eSIM in India for the best of both worlds.
Budget travelers should consider Yesim's affordable eSIM plans starting at AED 13.80, while those wanting premium reliability will appreciate Saily's excellent coverage.
The bottom line? You can save over AED 14,000 per year compared to traditional calling methods. Stop paying expensive Etisalat and Du rates or overpriced Botim subscriptions. Get NordVPN today and start making free WhatsApp calls to India tonight.
For more money-saving strategies, check out our guides on the cheapest ways to call India and all the best calling methods.
