How to Keep Using Your US or Canadian Number While in Israel

When traveling to Israel, one of the most common concerns for visitors from the United States or Canada is how to stay reachable on their regular number. Friends, family, and business contacts often continue to use the same number they always have, and losing access while abroad can be stressful. The traditional solution, purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival, creates a new problem: you’re forced to give everyone a temporary number.

Fortunately, modern technology has made it possible to keep your home number active while also enjoying affordable local connectivity. With SimToIsrael’s SIM and eSIM services, travelers can continue to use their existing US or Canadian number in Israel without the high roaming costs usually associated with international travel.

Why Losing Your Number Matters

Most travelers underestimate how many services and relationships are tied to their regular phone number. It’s not just about receiving personal calls from family and friends. Many banking systems, email providers, and social networks use SMS-based two-factor authentication. If you switch to a local SIM and can’t access your original number, you may suddenly find yourself locked out of important accounts.

Business travelers face even higher stakes. Imagine arriving in Tel Aviv for a week of meetings only to realize that clients trying to reach you are sent to voicemail because you changed your SIM card. Students encounter similar issues. Their family back home expects to reach them on a familiar number, but switching SIMs forces them to rely solely on internet apps, which aren’t always reliable.

The Traditional Options and Their Drawbacks

Before services like SimToIsrael, travelers had two main options. The first was to rely on their carrier’s international roaming plan. While convenient, this approach is notoriously expensive. Major carriers in the United States and Canada often charge daily roaming rates that can add up to hundreds of dollars in just a short trip.

The second option was to buy a local SIM card upon arrival. While this offers cheaper data and call rates within Israel, it disconnects you from your regular number. People calling your US or Canadian phone line would no longer reach you. For many, this solution created as many problems as it solved.

How SimToIsrael Provides a Better Solution

SimToIsrael bridges the gap by allowing travelers to enjoy the benefits of a local Israeli SIM while keeping their home number active. The system is designed so that your contacts can continue calling your regular number, while you also gain access to local data and calls at affordable rates. Instead of being forced to choose between convenience and cost, you get both.

Special Benefits for US and Canada Travelers

Customers from the US and Canada receive 150 GB of data, free local SMS, and free calls to the US and Canada. They also get a virtual number that allows family, friends, or anyone in the US or Canada to call them without paying international fees.

Another advantage is flexibility. SimToIsrael is available both as a physical SIM card and as an eSIM. The eSIM option is especially useful for travelers who don’t want to deal with swapping out their SIM cards. A simple QR code activation before you leave your home country ensures that you’ll land in Israel already connected.

If you prefer a physical SIM, you can also arrange to have it waiting for you at Ben Gurion Airport upon arrival, saving you time and effort.

Real-World Scenarios

Consider a business consultant flying from New York to Jerusalem for a two-week assignment. Their American clients expect to reach them on the same number they’ve always used. At the same time, the consultant needs affordable access to local data to navigate the city, join video calls, and coordinate with Israeli colleagues. With SimToIsrael, they don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.

Or think about a Canadian student beginning a semester at a university in Tel Aviv. They want to be able to call classmates and order food locally, but their parents also want to keep in touch easily. SimToIsrael lets them stay available on both fronts.

Tourists benefit just as much. A family visiting relatives in Haifa can continue receiving calls from friends back home while also using WhatsApp, Google Maps, and ride-hailing services in Israel without worrying about roaming bills.

Technical Made Simple

One of the biggest obstacles travelers face is the assumption that keeping two numbers active requires complicated technical steps. In reality, modern smartphones are designed for this kind of flexibility. Many support dual SIM or eSIM functionality, allowing you to keep both numbers active simultaneously. For those using eSIM, activation is as simple as scanning a QR code.

Even those less comfortable with technology find the setup straightforward. Because SimToIsrael allows you to arrange everything before departure, there’s no pressure to figure it out in a busy airport or a foreign language. By the time you land, your phone is ready to use exactly as you need it.

Please note: Every call made from your SimToIsrael SIM will display the Israeli number on the recipient’s screen.

Setting Up Before You Fly

Preparation is the key to a smooth travel experience. With SimToIsrael, you order the SIM card to be shipped to your home before your trip, or if you choose an eSIM, you receive the QR code via email. This means that by the time you board your flight, your connection is already arranged.

If you prefer, your physical SIM can also be ready for pickup at Ben Gurion Airport when you arrive.

The peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ll land and immediately be able to text your family or answer a business call cannot be overstated.

Final Thoughts

Staying connected in Israel doesn’t have to involve compromises. By choosing SimToIsrael, travelers from the USA and Canada can continue using their regular number while also benefiting from affordable local connectivity. Whether you’re a student, business traveler, or tourist, this approach ensures you’ll never miss an important call, text, or message while exploring everything Israel has to offer.

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FAQs

1. Can I use SimToIsrael with any smartphone?
Most modern smartphones support either dual SIM or eSIM technology. iPhones from the XS model onward and many Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones are fully compatible.

2. Will I still get calls and texts to my US or Canadian number?
Yes. SimToIsrael is designed so you can continue receiving calls and messages to your original number while also using local Israeli connectivity.

3. What are the special benefits for US and Canadian travelers?
They get 150 GB of data, free local SMS, free calls to the US and Canada, and a virtual number for free incoming calls from home.

4. Is eSIM activation complicated?
Not at all. You’ll receive a QR code by email. Scanning it with your phone activates your plan within minutes.

5. Can I pick up my SIM in Israel?
Yes. Your physical SIM can be waiting at Ben Gurion Airport upon arrival.

6. How does this differ from my carrier’s international roaming plan?
Unlike roaming, which can cost $10–$15 per day or more, SimToIsrael provides local Israeli rates while letting you keep your number active. It’s a far more cost-effective and reliable solution.

7. What number appears when I call someone?
Every outgoing call made from your SimToIsrael SIM will display your Israeli number.