Buy a Canadian SIM card from the UK before you fly

You can order a Canadian SIM from the UK before you travel. Choose an eSIM delivered by email if your phone supports it, or reserve a physical SIM for pickup at a listed Canadian airport. Choose the plan around your stay: a prepaid travel plan for a visit, or a monthly newcomer plan for a longer move.

Choose how you will receive your SIM

The important choice is how you will receive the SIM. CanadianSIM’s current international shipping list does not include the UK, so do not plan around a physical card arriving at your British address.

Current pickup airports are Toronto Pearson, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, and Winnipeg. Pearson has Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 locations. Vancouver and Montréal are not on CanadianSIM’s current pickup list. Check the airport pickup guide before choosing a collection point, especially if you arrive late or connect through another terminal.

A holiday and a move need different plans

For a short visit, start with prepaid. You pay for a defined service period rather than organising an ongoing monthly account for a fortnight away. CanadianSIM currently offers 95 GB for 30 days at CA$40, or 75 GB for 90 days at CA$75. The 90-day allowance is 75 GB for the full period, not 75 GB each month.

For an IEC working holiday, university course, or work assignment lasting 90 days or more, compare the monthly newcomer offers. Current options include Fido 75 GB at CA$35 per month and Rogers 100 GB at CA$40 per month, before tax. Rogers includes hotspot; the current Fido offer does not. These pre-arrival offers are arranged before travel.

The payment collected at checkout for a Rogers or Fido monthly plan is a deposit credited to your first carrier bill. Check the order summary and current terms so you understand the initial payment and ongoing billing. A SIM-only monthly plan is separate from financing a new handset.

Will you be able to call the UK?

The current Rogers and Fido newcomer offers each list 1,000 international long-distance minutes to the UK, India, Bangladesh, and Mexico. This is a calling allowance from Canada. It does not mean the Canadian SIM includes roaming service while you are still in the UK.

The prepaid plans have different calling allowances. Both include calls within Canada; the current 30-day plan also includes calls to the USA. Neither should be chosen on the assumption that calls to British numbers are bundled. Internet calling apps can use mobile data, but regular phone calls follow the plan’s calling terms.

Prices are charged in Canadian dollars. Your card provider sets any currency conversion and foreign-transaction charges, so compare the Canadian-dollar total instead of relying on an old pound conversion in a blog post.

Check the phone you already own

Confirm three separate things: the handset is unlocked, the exact model supports Canadian network service, and it supports your chosen SIM format. An eSIM-capable phone can still be locked to its existing carrier. An unlocked phone can still lack eSIM support.

Use the phone compatibility checklist before buying. If you want to keep your UK number available, also check whether your phone can keep both lines active. Your UK carrier’s charges still apply when you use that line in Canada.

Before you leave for the airport

1. Confirm your phone, travel dates, and the plan’s main features.
2. Choose email delivery or a supported physical-SIM delivery method.
3. Complete any verification requested through the official order process.
4. Save your confirmation, installation instructions, and support details where you can reach them over Wi-Fi.
5. If your flight date changes, update your arrival information promptly. Follow your order’s activation instructions.

A Canadian number is useful for local calls, accommodation contacts, and deliveries. It does not guarantee that a bank, government service, or other organisation will accept a particular verification method, and it is not a substitute for their identification requirements.

Questions before ordering from the UK

Can I keep my UK SIM in my phone?

Often, if your unlocked handset supports the required dual-SIM combination. Set the intended line for data and calls, and check UK roaming charges before leaving the UK line enabled. Our dual-SIM guide explains the settings.

Do I need a Canadian delivery address for an eSIM?

No physical delivery address is needed to email an eSIM. You still need to provide the billing and verification information requested for your order.

Will the Canadian line work before I leave the UK?

Receiving your number or installing the eSIM is different from having service abroad. Do not rely on calls, texts, or data working in the UK unless your particular plan explicitly includes that use.

Plan, delivery, and calling details checked October 5, 2026 against CanadianSIM’s plan page, delivery guide, and prepaid product page. Prices and availability can change; review the current order summary before paying.