How to Pause Etisalat or Du SIM While Travelling Outside UAE

Are you going abroad from the UAE? Packing your ticket and bag is not enough, but there is another thing that you may have forgotten. If you do not use your SIM before going abroad, you may have to pay some charges every month. This is especially a problem for those who use a postpaid SIM or use the internet at home. Etisalat or Du, whichever SIM you are using, it is necessary to temporarily suspend it.

Fortunately, both Etisalat and DU offer the “Vacation Hold” or “Temporary Suspension” service. You will get all the things here that you would not normally get. Many people want to know cancel du number, or cancel Etisalat services so, they can use same method for this.

What is Etisalat & Du Vacation Hold or Line Pause?

This is a service in which you temporarily block your number. It does not allow calls, SMS, or data — but it keeps your number safe.

Perfect for people who are going out of UAE for 1-3 months. If leaving country for a longtime, must cancel Etisalat SIM number by visiting the office and clearing your all funds, and loans.

I personally used this method when I had to go to Pakistan for 1 month for work. I go to Pakistan from Dubai for 1 month every year and often go to Saudi Arabia. At that time, I had to suspend the number because I was using Etisalat’s monthly postpaid plan which was on contract.

If you have taken a postpaid SIM or have an internet connection at home or office, then you have to request to pause the service. You can also do this online from your mobile or laptop, for which a step-by-step guide has been given.

How to suspend or Pause Etisalat SIM card

1) For Postpaid Users:

1. Open My Etisalat UE app.
2. Go to “Manage Plan” or “More Services”.
3. Choose “Vacation Hold” or “Temporary Suspension” option.
4. Select Duration (1 to 3 months).
5. Pay Fee (AED 40–50/month).
6. Confirm it.

You can also extend it again by using the same method or calling Etisalat helpline.

2) For Prepaid Users:

Etisalat prepaid users have not need to activate the “vacation hold” service.

• They have to recharge a small amount about AED 5 – 10 in 6 months to keep it active.
• You can “pause request” from call center or chatbot (possible in some plans).
• Always deactivate auto renewal services on your SIM card to prevent balance deduction.

Pause Etisalat eLife Internet (Fiber/WiFi)

If you are thinking of canceling any of your internet connections, you should definitely consider whether it is temporary or permanent.

When you go abroad for a few days of vacation or a few months, you may have to pay a monthly home internet fee. Therefore, it is better to get it pause according to your tour duration. How to pause:

• Open My Etisalat UAE App.
• Choose “Manage Services” > “eLife Account”.
• Option will be found: “Temporary Suspension / Vacation Hold”
• Choose Duration: 1, 2 or 3 months
• Pay fee: AED 50/month (standard)

While your services are suspended, internet, landline, and TV access will be paused. Your phone number, ID, and plan details will remain unchanged. To resume service, simply use the app or call Etisalat helpline when you’re ready.

How to Suspend Du services and SIM card?

If you are leaving the country for a long period of time, i.e. 2 years or more, you will have to cancel your DU SIM. If you have an internet connection at home, you will also have to cancel it. I have often seen people asking how to cancel a DU connection or internet connection, DU SIM. If you are a prepaid, postpaid home internet user, you can do this easily.

For postpaid users:

1. Open the Du App or visit du.ae.
2. Choose “Manage Line” > “Temporary Suspension”.
3. AED 40/month will be charged.
4. Duration: 1 to 3 months.

Alternatively, you can contact du via chatbot or by calling 155.

For prepaid users:

Prepaid SIM cards are not likely to get deactivated, but there are a few things you might find useful:

• You can keep your number inactive for 12 months.
• You will need to recharge your phone every 6 months.
• Roaming bundles will incur extra charges, so must deactivate this service.
• Must check your loan credit and active services. Deactivate all those services which are not in use.

Pro Tip: If you are visiting over the holidays, you have not need to do anything, keep your number OFF and use any international SIM. Just keep recharge AED 5 to AED 10 to keep active number.

Pause Du Home Internet (Du Home / Du TV):

• Open the Du App or du.ae website.
• Login and go to Home Services > Manage Plan.
• Find the “Suspend temporarily” option.
• Select duration: 1 to 3 months
• Fees usually: AED 40–50/month

Your service will resume with the same package after your vacation hold, at no extra cost.

eSIM Trick – Vacation Hold without any Official Request

The use of eSIM is increasing in the UAE and a large number of users of both Etisalat and DU are using eSIM. If you have eSIM installed in your phone, here are some ways you can use to deactivate the SIM:

• Remove your UAE eSIM temporarily.
• While traveling, use an Airalo or Nomad eSIM.
• Make sure to save your UAE eSIM QR code so you can easily add it back when you get home.

Your UAE number will stay active without any vacation hold fees.

Beware of auto-debit traps: Your money might still be deducted even if you’ve placed a vacation hold.

We’ve received reports from some users stating that despite placing their lines on hold, they were still charged VAT and/or system access fees.

Here’s how to fix it:

In the Etisalat/Du app, switch off auto-debit. Alternatively, you can temporarily set your credit card limit to AED 0.

Future Feature Idea: Smart AI Travel Detection

Etisalat & Du App must have:

When you are outside of the UAE, Du or Etisalat should have to deduct location and ask this question in the app:

You’re outside of the UAE. Do you want to suspend your SIM card?

This feature could save thousands of users money every year — but it hasn’t been implemented yet.

Important points:

Do this before leaving the house:

• Turn off the internet router.
• Disable auto-billing.
• Make sure to get confirmation on email.
• If the return date is not confirmed then keep a hold for minimum duration, it can be extended later.

If you are using the same bundle on both Etisalat eLife+ Mobile SIM, try to deactivate both at the same time. Turn off unnecessary services and try to keep your prepaid SIM balance zero so that unnecessary service charges are not deducted. For long stays, be sure to recharge your SIM card once every 6 months so that the SIM number is not recycled and can be used even upon your return.