Visiting the USA and want an eSIM? You have two kinds of options. The big carriers, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon, all sell prepaid eSIMs that visitors can use, but you buy and activate them only once you're in the U.S. Or you can get a data-only travel eSIM, like the SimOptions USA eSIM, and install it at home before you fly. This guide compares the eSIM providers in the USA for visitors, what each one asks from you, and how to set everything up.
Looking for the full list of U.S. carriers and MVNOs that support eSIM? See our list of eSIM carriers in the USA. This page focuses on what works for you as a traveller. For other countries, see our list of prepaid eSIM providers.
eSIM providers in the USA for visitors
Here's what each option offers you as a visitor, checked on the providers' own websites in October 2026.
T-Mobile Prepaid U.S. Pass eSIM
T-Mobile Prepaid sells the U.S. Pass eSIM, a short-term plan made for international visitors. Its page shows passes of 7, 10 and 14 days, each with talk, text and 5G data in the U.S., Mexico and Canada (T-Mobile: U.S. Pass eSIM).
- Buy it after you land. T-Mobile says you must buy and activate the plan while you're in the United States, and the plan starts the moment you buy it.
- No ID needed. T-Mobile says you need no contract or ID.
- Payment. It accepts domestic and international credit and debit cards "from select countries".
- Wi-Fi for setup. You buy it in the T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app, and T-Mobile says you need a Wi-Fi connection to complete setup. Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked.
eSIM by AT&T
AT&T sells eSIM by AT&T to travellers visiting North America. You buy it in the Connect on Demand app. Plans run for 1, 7, 15 or 30 days, and 90 or 180 days for U.S. talk, text and data. You can pick data only or add U.S. talk and text (AT&T: eSIM by AT&T).
- Buy it once you're in the U.S. AT&T's steps start "once you're in the U.S. and your phone connects to a wireless network".
- Your phone matters. It must be unlocked, 5G capable and dual SIM, with an open eSIM slot. AT&T suggests downloading the app first to check that your phone is eligible.
- One phone, no refunds. Plans aren't refundable or transferable and must be bought on the phone you'll use. If you delete the eSIM or change phones, you need a new plan (AT&T: travelling in North America).
Verizon Prepaid eSIM
Verizon Prepaid says its eSIM plans are "ideal for visitors to the U.S.". You keep your home number on your phone and add a Verizon Prepaid line with a new U.S. number. Plans give you a full month of service (Verizon: Prepaid eSIM).
- Activate in the U.S. only. The My Verizon app checks your location, and you can only activate the eSIM while you're in the U.S. Before you travel, you can download the app and check your phone.
- Payment. Verizon accepts a U.S.-based credit or debit card, Apple Pay or PayPal.
- Unlocked phone. Your phone must be unlocked and compatible with Verizon's network.
Visible, a Verizon brand, also launched an eSIM Travel Pass for visitors in 2026 (Verizon News). We couldn't confirm on Visible's site that it's still on sale, so check before you count on it.
MVNOs like Mint Mobile and US Mobile
MVNOs are smaller brands that use the big networks. Mint Mobile, a T-Mobile brand, and US Mobile both sell eSIM plans online. Mint's plans are paid upfront for 3, 6 or 12 months. Neither site sets out clear rules for visitors, such as whether a foreign card or a non-U.S. address works at checkout. The visitor passes above are made for short trips, so they're simpler for a holiday.
Travel eSIMs (like SimOptions)
A travel eSIM is a data plan you buy online before your trip. You get a QR code by email and install it at home. The SimOptions USA eSIM plans are data-only, with no U.S. phone number. They activate automatically when you arrive in the U.S., and you can top them up if you run low.
ID, payment and address rules for a U.S. eSIM
None of the three carriers' visitor pages asks for a passport, and T-Mobile says no ID is needed. What can trip you up is payment and where you are when you buy:
- T-Mobile U.S. Pass: no ID. Domestic and international cards from select countries. Buy and activate in the U.S.
- eSIM by AT&T: bought in the Connect on Demand app on the phone you'll use, once you're in the U.S.
- Verizon Prepaid: a U.S.-based card, Apple Pay or PayPal. Activation only in the U.S., checked by location.
- Travel eSIM: bought online before you leave, paid with your usual card. Nothing to do in a U.S. shop.
Since all three carriers want you in the U.S. to buy or activate, plan on using Wi-Fi at the airport or your hotel to get set up. Check which payment methods work for you before you travel.
Local prepaid eSIM or travel eSIM: which suits you?
A T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon eSIM makes sense if
- you need a U.S. phone number, for example for calls to local businesses or codes sent by SMS,
- you want talk and text in the U.S., or across the U.S., Mexico and Canada with T-Mobile's pass,
- you don't mind setting it up after you land, on Wi-Fi, with an unlocked phone.
A travel eSIM makes sense if
- you want to be online the moment you land, without hunting for airport Wi-Fi to buy a plan,
- you mainly need data for maps, ride-hailing, messaging apps and bookings,
- you want to keep your home number active for calls and texts at the same time (see how to set up a dual eSIM),
- you'd rather sort it all out at home, before your trip starts.
Spending about two weeks in New York, Florida or on a West Coast road trip? This USA plan covers 15 days. It's data-only, with no U.S. number, and you install it at home before you leave.
How to set up your eSIM for the USA
Before you fly: install it on Wi-Fi
- Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. Dial *#06#: if you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM. More ways to check eSIM compatibility. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock (Apple: Unlock your iPhone).
- Buy your travel eSIM. It arrives by email with a QR code.
- Install it at home on Wi-Fi. Apple says your iPhone needs a Wi-Fi network or hotspot to set up a travel eSIM. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and scan the QR code. On Android, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager (Samsung) or Settings > Network & internet > SIMs (Pixel). Step-by-step help: how to install an eSIM.
Going with T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon instead? Download their app at home to check your phone, then buy and activate the plan on Wi-Fi once you land.
When you land: switch on the right settings
- Turn on the travel eSIM line if it isn't on already. With iOS 26 and later, your iPhone may ask you to Turn On Travel eSIM when you arrive.
- Pick it for mobile data. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and choose the travel eSIM.
- Turn on Data Roaming on the travel eSIM. Keep it off on your home line if you want to avoid roaming charges from your home carrier (Apple: Use eSIM while traveling). More on how to turn on data roaming.
Depending on your region, your iPhone may say Mobile Service instead of Cellular. The steps are the same.
Travelling beyond the USA?
Many trips to the U.S. also take in Canada or Mexico. The SimOptions USA plans cover the U.S. only. If you're crossing the border, add a Canada eSIM or a Mexico eSIM for that part of your trip. Each one is a separate data-only eSIM that you install before you go, and your phone can hold several. Going on to Europe? Read eSIM providers in Poland.
Pick the plan that matches your trip.
USA, Canada and Mexico plans shown · data-only eSIMs, no phone number · All USA eSIMs · Find the eSIM for your destination
FAQs
Which eSIM providers are there in the USA?
The three national carriers, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon, all support eSIM, and so do many smaller MVNOs. As a visitor, you can use T-Mobile's U.S. Pass, eSIM by AT&T or Verizon Prepaid, or a travel eSIM from a provider such as SimOptions. Our list of eSIM carriers in the USA covers the rest.
Can tourists get a prepaid eSIM in the USA?
Yes. T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon each sell prepaid eSIMs that visitors can use. All three ask you to buy or activate the plan once you're in the U.S.
Do I need a passport or a U.S. address to get an eSIM in the USA?
T-Mobile says its U.S. Pass needs no ID. The bigger hurdle is payment: Verizon Prepaid asks for a U.S.-based card, Apple Pay or PayPal, and T-Mobile accepts international cards from select countries. A travel eSIM is bought online before you go.
Is there a temporary SIM card for the USA?
Yes. T-Mobile's U.S. Pass and eSIM by AT&T are short-term eSIMs for visitors, from 1 day (AT&T) up to 180 days. A travel eSIM is another temporary option, and it's ready the moment you land.
Can I get a U.S. phone number with a travel eSIM?
Not with SimOptions: the USA plans are data-only. If you need a U.S. number, get a plan with talk and text from T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon. You can keep your home number active next to a travel eSIM for calls and texts.
Should I install my travel eSIM before I fly to the USA?
Yes. Install it at home on Wi-Fi. When you land, choose it for mobile data and turn on Data Roaming for that line. The SimOptions USA plans activate when you arrive in the U.S.
Does my eSIM work in the USA if my phone is locked?
No. A carrier-locked phone only works with eSIMs from the carrier it's locked to. Ask your carrier to unlock it before you travel.
