UK and Canada SIM Cards for Nigerian Students: Sort It Before You Fly

Starting university in the UK or Canada this January? Between your visa, accommodation and flights, your phone is easy to leave until you land. But a local number is one of the first things you'll need: your bank, your landlord, your university and the apps you sign up for will all want one.

The good news is you can sort it in Nigeria before you fly. Unlimit Mobile sells eSIMs with a local UK or Canadian number that Nigerian students can buy online and set up at home, with no contract and no credit check, so your number works when you land.

What to compare before you choose

• A local number. A data-only eSIM gives you internet but no number. UK and Canadian banks, landlords and universities expect a local number they can call and text.
• Calls home to Nigeria. Check whether calls to Nigeria are included, or whether you'll use WhatsApp and other apps on data.
• Data for study. Video lectures, maps and video calls home use a lot, and more if you share your phone's connection with a laptop.
• Plan length. A plan for your whole term or year can work out cheaper per month than paying monthly.
• Your phone. An eSIM needs a phone that is unlocked and supports eSIM. Check whether your phone supports eSIM before you buy.

Where Unlimit Mobile fits

Unlimit Mobile sells plans for the USA, Canada and the UK only. Students buy online from Nigeria and get an eSIM by email: physical SIMs ship within India only, so outside India every plan comes as an eSIM. Each plan comes for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months, paid once, with no contract and no credit check.

Studying in the UK

Unlimit Mobile's UK eSIM gives you a UK number with unlimited calls and texts across the UK, and 5GB, 20GB, 50GB or unlimited data a month (the unlimited plan has 100GB of premium data) on a 5G+ network covering 99% of the UK population, in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See every plan on the UK eSIM plans page, and how to write your new number in our UK mobile number format guide.

Studying in Canada

Unlimit Mobile's Canada eSIM gives you a Canadian number on TELUS 5G+, unlimited local calls and texts, 50GB, 75GB or 120GB of data a month, and 1,000 minutes of international calling to 34 countries, Nigeria included, plus unlimited international texts: useful for calling family at home.

See every plan on the Canada eSIM plans page.

How to set it up before the January intake

1. Check your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM.
2. Pick your country, plan and length (a 12-month plan covers your first year), enter your travel date and pay online by card.
3. Scan the eSIM QR code we email you, following our eSIM installation guide.
4. Your new number goes live 48 hours before your travel date, or within 1–2 hours of paying if you travel within two days.

Keep your Nigerian SIM in a dual-SIM phone for bank codes and family, and use the eSIM for your UK or Canadian number and data. Comparing more options? See our student phone plans.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a UK SIM card in Nigeria?

Yes, as an eSIM. Buy your UK plan online from Nigeria, scan the QR code we email you, and your UK number goes live 48 hours before your travel date.

Can I buy a Canadian SIM card in Nigeria?

Yes, as an eSIM, the same way. Your Canadian number goes live 48 hours before your travel date.

Can I call Nigeria from my new number?

On Canada plans, yes: they include 1,000 minutes of international calling to 34 countries, Nigeria among them. On UK plans, use WhatsApp or another calling app on your data.

Do I need a credit history or a UK or Canadian address?

No credit check is needed: plans are prepaid, with no contract.

Can I keep my Nigerian number?

Yes, on a dual-SIM phone: keep your Nigerian SIM and add the eSIM for your new country.