Do I Need to Visit a Mobile Network Franchise to Get an eSIM? – 2026 Guide | Pakistan

Telecom Ammar Abbas Last Updated: September 19, 2026 5 min read 12 views

Do You Need to Visit a Store to Get an eSIM in Pakistan?

The answer depends entirely on which mobile network operator you choose to get your eSIM from. In Pakistan, some operators require an in-person visit to a franchise or service centre, while others allow you to get an eSIM entirely online.

Quick Comparison: In-Person vs Online

Provider	Do You Need to Visit?	Process Type
Zong	Yes – must visit a Customer Service Centre or Franchise	In-person only
Jazz	Yes – must visit a Jazz Experience Center, Franchise, or eligible retailer	In-person only
Ufone	Yes – must visit a Ufone Service Center	In-person only
Onic	No – fully digital, no store visit needed	Fully online
Travel eSIMs	No – purchase online, no in-person visit	Fully online

Traditional Operators – In-Person Required

Zong

Yes, you must visit a Zong Customer Service Centre or Franchise to get an eSIM. Zong eSIMs are not issued online.

What to expect at the visit:

Complete biometric (thumbprint) verification
Pay the Rs. 2,000 eSIM issuance fee
Receive a physical voucher containing a QR code
You can activate the eSIM at home by scanning the QR code

Important: Do not share the QR code with anyone, as it is linked to your mobile number.

Jazz

Jazz also requires an in-person visit. You need to go to a Jazz Experience Center, Franchise, or eligible retailer with your CNIC. The process involves biometric verification, and you receive a QR code voucher. Jazz charges Rs. 2,000 for eSIM issuance.

Ufone

Ufone supports eSIM for both prepaid and postpaid users but requires an in-person visit to a Ufone Service Center. Available in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi.

Digital Option – No Visit Required

Onic – Pakistan's First Fully Digital Telco

Onic offers a fully digital eSIM experience with no store visit required. The entire process happens online:

Order online: Visit the Onic website or download the Onic app
Select your plan and choose eSIM
Complete biometric verification through the app: (digital verification, no store visit)
Receive QR code digitally: in the app or by email
Scan to activate: from home in minutes

Key Benefit: You don't need to visit any service center, eliminating queues, paperwork, and travel time.

Travel eSIMs – No Visit Required

If you are a traveler and do not need a local Pakistani mobile number, you can get a data-only travel eSIM fully online with no in-person visit required. These eSIMs work on local partner networks like Jazz, Zong, Telenor, and Ufone.

How it works:

Choose a provider (HelloRoam, HelloSIM, Bcengi, etc.)
Purchase online – receive QR code by email
Scan QR code on your device
Activate on arrival in Pakistan – connects to local network automatically

Important Notes:

Travel eSIMs are data-only – they do not provide a Pakistani phone number for calls or SMS
No biometric verification is required
No PTA registration needed for travelers

Why Traditional Operators Require a Visit

In Pakistan, biometric verification is mandatory for local eSIM activation to ensure the SIM is registered to your CNIC and prevent unauthorized usage. This regulation, combined with the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) framework, requires operators to verify your identity in person before issuing an eSIM.

PTA eSIM Policy 2026 Update

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority introduced a revised eSIM policy effective August 17, 2026, which caps the maximum issuance fee at Rs. 1,500 and allows up to 10 free eSIM transfers. However, the biometric verification requirement remains in place for local eSIMs.

Guide Information

Eligibility

- A device that supports eSIM technology
- For local Pakistani eSIM: Valid CNIC for biometric verification
- For travel eSIMs: Only need an eSIM-compatible device

Required Documents

For Zong, Jazz, Ufone:
- Valid CNIC for in-person biometric verification
- PTA-registered device
For Onic (Digital-First Network):
- Valid CNIC for biometric verification (through app)
- eSIM-compatible device
For Travel eSIMs:
- No documents required
- Only need an eSIM-compatible device

Fees

Zong eSIM: Rs. 2,000Jazz eSIM: Rs. 2,000 (existing number), Rs. 5,000 (new number)Ufone eSIM: ~Rs. 2,000Onic eSIM: Varies (app-based pricing)Travel eSIMs: Starting from €1.72 / $3.90 USD

Processing Time

Zong/Jazz/Ufone activation: 5 minutes after QR scanOnic activation: Instant after QR scanTravel eSIM activation: 1-2 minutes

Step-by-Step Process

Step-by-Step: Get an eSIM from Zong (In-Person Required)
Check device compatibility: Dial *#06# – if an EID number appears, your device supports eSIM
Visit a Zong Customer Service Centre or Franchise
Complete mandatory biometric verification (thumbprint scan)
Pay the Rs. 2,000 eSIM issuance fee
Receive a physical voucher containing a QR code
At home, scan the QR code in your device settings:
On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan > Scan QR Code
On Android: Settings > SIM Card Manager > eSIM > Add Mobile Plan > Scan QR Code
Ensure you are connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data
Enter PIN: Type default code "0000" when asked
Your eSIM will be active in 5 minutes
Step-by-Step: Get an Onic eSIM (No Visit Required)
Visit onic.pk or download the Onic app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
Choose your plan and select eSIM option during checkout
Complete digital biometric verification through the app
Receive your QR code digitally in the app or by email
Scan the QR code in your device settings:
On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan > Scan QR Code
On Android: Settings > SIM Card Manager > eSIM > Add Mobile Plan > Scan QR Code
Connect to Wi-Fi during activation
Your eSIM is now active – no store visit needed
Step-by-Step: Get a Travel eSIM (No Visit Required)
Choose a travel eSIM provider (HelloRoam, HelloSIM, Bcengi, etc.)
Select a data plan and complete purchase online
Receive QR code by email within minutes
Install before travel on home Wi-Fi – scan QR code in device settings
On arrival in Pakistan, enable the eSIM line and turn on Data Roaming
The eSIM connects to local networks automatically (Jazz, Zong, Telenor, or Ufone)

Official Information

Official Website: https://onic.pk/Zong eSIM: https://www.zong.com.pk/esimJazz eSIM: https://jazz.com.pk/explore/esim/

Contact: Jazz Helpline: 4444 (from Jazz numbers) or 111-124-444Onic Support: app.support@onic.com.pkOnic Phone: +92 339 0071668

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to visit a franchise to get a Zong eSIM?

Yes, Zong eSIMs are not issued online. You must visit a Zong Customer Service Centre or Franchise.

Do I need to visit a franchise to get a Jazz eSIM?

Yes, Jazz requires an in-person visit to a Jazz Experience Center, Franchise, or eligible retailer.

Do I need to visit a franchise to get an Onic eSIM?

No, Onic is fully digital – you can order and activate entirely online without visiting any store.

Can travelers get an eSIM without visiting any service center?

Yes, international travel eSIMs can be purchased entirely online and activated via QR code.

Why do traditional operators require in-person visits?

Biometric verification is mandatory for local eSIM activation to ensure the SIM is registered to your CNIC and prevent unauthorized usage.

Do travel eSIMs require biometric verification?

No, international travel eSIMs do not require biometric verification.

Can I get an eSIM online in Pakistan?

Yes, but only from Onic. Zong, Jazz, and Ufone require in-person visits.

What is the PTA eSIM fee cap?

Under the August 17, 2026 policy, the maximum eSIM fee is capped at Rs. 1,500. Zong and Jazz currently charge Rs. 2,000, which may be revised.