+971 Country Code: UAE Dialing Guide

Q: What country has the +971 country code?

The +971 country code is for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Any call from a number starting with +971 originates from the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the other five emirates.

Q: How many digits is a UAE phone number?

UAE mobile numbers have 9 digits after +971 (starting with 5). Landline numbers are 7-8 digits including the area code. Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally.

Q: What is the area code for Abu Dhabi?

The area code for Abu Dhabi is 2. Internationally, dial +971 2 followed by the 7-digit local number.

Q: How do I call the UAE from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +971 followed by the UAE number (without the leading 0). From a landline, dial 011-971 then the number. For mobile: +971 5X XXX XXXX. For Dubai landline: +971 4 XXX XXXX.

Q: What time should I call the UAE from the US?

The UAE is 9 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (EST) and 12 hours ahead of Pacific Time (PST). To reach someone during UAE business hours (9 AM - 6 PM GST), call between 12 AM - 9 AM EST.

Q: Is +971 UAE or Saudi Arabia?

+971 is the country code for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The country code for Saudi Arabia is +966.

The 971 country code belongs to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), located on the Persian Gulf in the Middle East. Whether you're calling business contacts in Dubai, connecting with family in Abu Dhabi, or reaching friends across the seven emirates, the +971 prefix connects you to this major business center.

Quick Answer: The country code +971 is for the UAE. Mobile numbers have 9 digits after +971 and start with 5. Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally. Example: A local mobile 050 123 4567 becomes +971 50 123 4567 internationally.

How to Call the UAE: Quick Reference

The UAE uses a trunk prefix (0) for domestic calls, which you must drop when calling internationally. Here's the format for calling from major countries:

Calling From	Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile	+971 [number without 0]
US/Canada Landline	011-971-[number without 0]
United Kingdom (UK)	00-971-[number without 0]
India	00-971-[number without 0]
Pakistan	00-971-[number without 0]
Australia	0011-971-[number without 0]

The UAE is home to a large expatriate population, with millions of workers from India, Pakistan, Philippines, UK, and other countries, making international calling to and from the UAE extremely common.

Understanding UAE Phone Numbers

UAE phone numbers have a simple format. Always drop the leading 0 when calling internationally.

The Leading Zero Rule

When calling the UAE from abroad, drop the 0:

Local mobile: 050 123 4567 (10 digits with 0)
International: +971 50 123 4567 (9 digits without 0)

Mobile Numbers

UAE mobile numbers all start with 5:

Length: 9 digits after +971 (10 digits locally with 0).
Starting Digit: Mobile numbers always start with 5.
Common Prefixes: 050, 052, 054, 055, 056, 058 (Etisalat and du networks).
Example: +971 50 123 4567 or +971 55 987 6543.

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

UAE landlines use single-digit area codes:

Dubai: Area code 4 + 7-digit number.
Abu Dhabi: Area code 2 + 7-digit number.
Other emirates: Single-digit area code + 7-digit number.
Total length: 8 digits after +971.

UAE Area Codes Reference Table

Each emirate has its own area code:

Emirate/City	Area Code	International Format
Dubai	4	+971 4 XXX XXXX
Abu Dhabi	2	+971 2 XXX XXXX
Al Ain	3	+971 3 XXX XXXX
Sharjah	6	+971 6 XXX XXXX
Ajman	6	+971 6 XXX XXXX
Umm Al Quwain	6	+971 6 XXX XXXX
Ras Al Khaimah	7	+971 7 XXX XXXX
Fujairah	9	+971 9 XXX XXXX

Note: Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain share the same area code (6). Always drop the 0 when dialing internationally. A Dubai number 04 123 4567 becomes +971 4 123 4567.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can instantly identify whether a +971 number is mobile or landline:

Starts with 5: Mobile number (e.g., +971 5X XXX XXXX)
Starts with 4: Dubai landline (e.g., +971 4 XXX XXXX)
Starts with 2: Abu Dhabi landline (e.g., +971 2 XXX XXXX)
Starts with 6: Sharjah/Ajman/UAQ landline
Starts with 7: Ras Al Khaimah landline
Starts with 9: Fujairah landline

Mobile calls may cost slightly more than landline calls from abroad.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples for calling different types of UAE numbers:

Example 1: Calling a Dubai Landline from the US

UAE Number (local): (04) 123-4567
From a US Mobile: +971 4 123 4567
From a US Landline: 011 971 4 123 4567

Example 2: Calling a UAE Mobile from the US

UAE Number (local): 050-123-4567
From a US Mobile: +971 50 123 4567
From a US Landline: 011 971 50 123 4567

Example 3: Calling an Abu Dhabi Landline from the UK

UAE Number (local): (02) 678-9012
From the UK: 00 971 2 678 9012

Example 4: Calling from India

UAE Number (local): 055-111-2222 (mobile)
From India: 00 971 55 111 2222

Best Times to Call the UAE

The UAE operates on Gulf Standard Time (GST), which is UTC+4 year-round (no daylight saving time).

Your Location	Time Difference	Call UAE 9 AM - 9 PM
US East Coast (EST)	UAE is 9 hours ahead	12 AM - 12 PM EST
US West Coast (PST)	UAE is 12 hours ahead	9 PM - 9 AM PST (previous day)
UK (GMT)	UAE is 4 hours ahead	5 AM - 5 PM GMT
India (IST)	UAE is 1.5 hours behind	10:30 AM - 10:30 PM IST
Pakistan (PKT)	UAE is 1 hour behind	10 AM - 10 PM PKT

Tip: The UAE work week runs Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday being the weekend. Avoid calling during Friday prayers (around 12:30-2 PM local time). During Ramadan, business hours are typically reduced, and many offices close earlier.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most common errors when dialing the 971 country code:

Keeping the 0: You must drop the leading 0 when calling internationally. Dial +971 50, not +971 050.
Wrong number of digits: Mobile = 9 digits after +971. Landlines = 8 digits (1-digit area code + 7-digit number).
Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +971 (UAE) with +966 (Saudi Arabia) or +974 (Qatar).
Weekend confusion: Remember the UAE weekend is Friday-Saturday, not Saturday-Sunday.

Cheapest Ways to Call +971 Numbers

The UAE has a large expat population, creating high demand for international calls. Options include:

VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to the UAE. Check our international calling rates.
Messaging Apps: WhatsApp is widely used in the UAE. However, note that VoIP calling features may be restricted within the UAE due to telecom regulations.
International Calling Plans: Many carriers offer UAE-specific bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
Calling Cards: Popular for calling the UAE, especially from South Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +971 country code?

The +971 country code is for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This includes Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all seven emirates.

How many digits is a UAE phone number?

UAE mobile numbers have 9 digits after +971 (starting with 5). Landline numbers have 8 digits (1-digit area code + 7-digit number).

What is the area code for Dubai?

The area code for Dubai is 4. For international calls, dial +971 4 followed by the 7-digit local number.

What is the area code for Abu Dhabi?

The area code for Abu Dhabi is 2. Internationally, dial +971 2 followed by the 7-digit local number.

How do I call the UAE from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +971 followed by the UAE number (without the leading 0). From a landline, dial 011-971 then the number.

What time should I call the UAE from the US?

The UAE is 9 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. To reach someone during UAE business hours (9 AM - 6 PM GST), call between midnight and 9 AM EST.

Is +971 UAE or Saudi Arabia?

+971 is the country code for the UAE. The country code for Saudi Arabia is +966.

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