Network & carriers
The UAE's telecom market is regulated by the TDRA, with etisalat by e& and du as the main mobile operators.
+971 · AE · UTC+4
United Arab Emirates
Country Code & Virtual Numbers
The UAE's +971 code covers one of the Gulf region's most connected markets, split between just two licensed operators. Capital: Abu Dhabi · Business hours: 12:00 AM–8:00 AM EST.
// The Basics
What is the +971 country code?
Numbering in United Arab Emirates is administered by Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
Numbering format
UAE mobile numbers are 9 digits starting with 5 after +971 and are dialed domestically with a leading 0 (10 digits starting 05); landlines are 8 digits with a one-digit area code such as 4 for Dubai.
Calling culture
Business culture in the UAE blends international norms with strong local hospitality — a respectful greeting and some relationship-building are expected before diving into business.
Did you know
Since 27 August 2024, UAE telemarketing calls are allowed only between 9:00 and 18:00, from numbers registered to the company's trade licence.
// Quick Facts
A quick read on United Arab Emirates numbers.
UAE mobile numbers drop their leading 0 internationally — a domestic 050 number becomes +971 50 when dialed from abroad.
From the US: 011 971 2 XXX XXXX (Abu Dhabi landline)
// Reference
Dialing +971: numbers, codes and rules
- Trunk prefix
- 0 — used domestically, dropped after the country code.
- Number length
- 8 digits for landlines, 9 digits for mobiles (after +971)
- Mobile numbers
- 9 digits starting with 5 (e.g. +971 5X XXX XXXX); dialed in-country as 10 digits with the leading 0 (05X XXX XXXX)
- Landlines
- 8 digits: a one-digit area code plus a 7-digit subscriber number, e.g. +971 4 XXX XXXX for Dubai
- Major area codes
- Abu Dhabi 2
- Al Ain 3
- Dubai 4
- Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain 6
- Ras Al Khaimah 7
- Fujairah 9
- Dialing in
- From the US: 011 971 2 XXX XXXX (Abu Dhabi landline)
- Dialing out
- 00 is the international prefix from United Arab Emirates.
- Useful numbers
- Police: 999
- Ambulance: 998
- Fire (Civil Defence): 997
- Toll-free prefix: 800
- Time zone
- Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4)
- Daylight saving
- No daylight saving time.
- Working week
- Monday–Friday for federal government (Friday is a half day); private employers set their own working days; weekend: Saturday–Sunday for federal government since 1 January 2022
- Since 27 August 2024, telemarketing calls are only allowed between 9:00 and 18:00 and must come from numbers registered to the company's trade licence (Cabinet Resolutions 56 and 57 of 2024).
- In-country callers must always dial all 10 digits of a mobile number including the leading 0; landline callers within the same region can omit the area code.
- The federal government moved to a Monday–Friday week with a Saturday–Sunday weekend on 1 January 2022.
Sources
- ITU E.164 national numbering plan for the UAE (TRA notifications 2009, 2012)
- UAE Government portal – Justice, safety and the law (emergency services)
- SHRM – UAE public-sector workweek change (2022)
- Sovereign Group – UAE 4.5-day government week; private sector free to choose
- Clyde & Co – UAE tightens telemarketing regulations (Cabinet Resolutions 56/57 of 2024)
- Gulf News – UAE public holidays 2026
- Time.is – Time zone in the United Arab Emirates
- Gulf Business – Etisalat UAE's new brand identity (etisalat by e&)
- Frommer's Dubai – Staying connected (international dialing prefix 00)
Best time to call United Arab Emirates from the US
United Arab Emirates is on UTC+4 · Business hours = – EST · Mon–Fri
// Why a Virtual Number
Why get a United Arab Emirates virtual number?
A +971 virtual number gives your business instant local presence in United Arab Emirates — without the overhead.
Local caller ID in United Arab Emirates
When you call from your virtual United Arab Emirates number, contacts see a local +971 number — dramatically improving answer rates.
No office needed
Establish a local presence in United Arab Emirates without renting space, hiring locally, or installing any hardware.
Instant credibility
A recognizable +971 number helps establish credibility with UAE business contacts who are used to working with well-established local and international players alike.
Routes to any device
Calls to your United Arab Emirates number ring your team on mobile, desktop, or desk phone — wherever they work.
Free tools
Look up a number from United Arab Emirates
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Frequently Asked
United Arab Emirates questions answered.
Answers about the UAE's two-carrier market, hospitality-driven calling culture, and getting a local +971 virtual number.
Dial 011 (the US exit code), then 971, then the national number, leaving out the leading 0 used for domestic calls. Number length: 8 digits for landlines, 9 digits for mobiles (after +971).
Start calling United Arab Emirates, not tomorrow.
Get a virtual United Arab Emirates number or make direct international calls to +971 — active in under ten minutes.