How to Call Dubai from the USA: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Before calling Dubai from the United States, you should be aware of the exit code of the US, the country code of the UAE, and the prefixes of Dubai.

The exit code for the United States is 011, and it signals that you are making an international call from the US. This code must be dialed first when dialing Dubai from the US so your call can leave the local network and connect to an international network.

Conversely, on modern devices like smartphones, you can replace the exit code with the “+” symbol. So, when calling a Dubai phone number, you must dial 011 or “+”, or else your call will not be routed outside the United States.

To dial a Dubai phone number from the USA, you must dial the country code after the US exit code. Since Dubai is a city in the UAE, you must enter the country code of this nation after the exit code, which is 971. In fact, this country code applies to all emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other cities across the UAE.

Dubai phone numbers use specific prefixes to identify whether the number is a landline or a mobile phone. These prefixes help route calls correctly within the UAE and must be dialed properly when calling from the US.

Landline prefixes in Dubai begin with 04, which are two digits and identify landline numbers within the city. When dialing a Dubai landline from the US, the trunk code (the leading 0) must be removed. This means you should dial 4 after the UAE country code instead of 04.

Meanwhile, mobile numbers in Dubai use mobile network prefixes rather than city-based codes. These mobile prefixes are three-digit codes that also include a trunk code (0) when used for domestic calls within the UAE. However, when calling Dubai from the US, the trunk code is omitted, and you dial the mobile prefix directly after the UAE country code.

In short, whether you’re calling a landline or a mobile number in Dubai, the key rule is the same: remove the trunk code and dial only the relevant prefix after the UAE country code when making an international call from the United States.

To dial a phone number in Dubai from the USA, you should follow the international dialing format for Dubai, i.e, enter the US exit code, the country code of the UAE, the area code of Dubai in case of a landline number or mobile prefix for mobile numbers, and then the local number.

The international dialing format for Dubai is the exit code of your country, followed by the UAE country code, the appropriate Dubai prefix, and the local phone number.

011 or “+” - 971 - Dubai prefix - local phone number

Where, 

• 011 or “+” – US exit code
• 971 – UAE country code
• Dubai prefix – landline or mobile prefix (without the trunk code)
• Local phone number – the remaining digits of the number

This format applies whether you are calling from a US landline or a mobile phone.

To dial Dubai from the United States, dial the US exit code followed by the country code of the UAE, the prefix of Dubai, and the local number. Here are the detailed steps:

1. Dial the US Exit Code: Start by dialing 011 or “+”, which allows your call to exit the United States and connect to an international network.
2. Enter the UAE Country Code: Dial 971, the country code for the United Arab Emirates. This routes your call to the UAE, including Dubai.
3. Dial the Dubai Prefix: Enter the appropriate Dubai prefix based on whether you are calling a landline or a mobile number. Make sure to remove the leading 0 (trunk code) when dialing from the US.
4. Enter the Local Phone Number: Finish by dialing the local phone number.

Once all digits are entered correctly, your call should connect to the number in Dubai.

Calling other UAE cities from the US follows the same dialing process used for Dubai. You begin by dialing 011 to exit the United States, followed by 971, the country code for the United Arab Emirates. Next, enter the landline prefix of the city you are calling, making sure to remove the leading 0, and then dial the local phone number to complete the call.

Here are the area codes of different emirates in the UAE:

Carrier calling, using calling cards, subscribing to VoIP services, and using Wi-Fi calling apps are some of the best ways to call Dubai from the USA.

Using your local US provider like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile is the most convenient method as it requires no extra setup. You simply dial the international exit code (011), the UAE country code (971), and the Dubai number without the trunk code.

However, without a specific international plan, standard pay-per-use rates in 2026 are quite high. AT&T and T-Mobile generally charge a base rate of $3.00 per minute, while Verizon starts around $2.49 per minute for calls to the UAE. While these carriers offer international plans that can reduce these rates to a few cents per minute, this remains the most expensive option for casual callers without an active subscription.

International calling cards or digital credit services provide much more affordable pricing as compared to traditional carrier calling. These services allow you to purchase a set amount of "talk time" upfront, which can be used within an expiry date. In 2026, you can typically buy these cards for $5, $10, or $20.

Once loaded, the per-minute rates for calling Dubai generally hover between $0.12 and $0.18 per minute. So, many users prefer this method because it offers transparent, prepaid pricing without the risk of "bill shock" from a mobile carrier, making it ideal for those who want to stick to a strict budget.

For businesses or individuals who call Dubai on a daily basis, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscription is often the best option. Providers like Calilio, RingCentral, or Vonage use virtual numbers to make calls over the internet to actual landlines and mobile phones.

These services often start around $15.00 to $25.00 per month for a basic user license. While the monthly fee is higher, the per-minute rates are the lowest available for "real" phone numbers, sometimes costing as little as $0.01 to $0.05 per minute depending on the volume of your plan.

Internet-based calling apps allow voice and video calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data and are commonly used for personal communication. When both parties use the same app, calls to Dubai can be made without per-minute charges, aside from standard data usage.

However, the UAE has strict regulations, so popular global apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and even FaceTime have their calling features restricted or blocked in the country, though messaging still works. To make internet-based calls in Dubai, users must rely on government-approved apps like BOTIM, GoChat, or Voico, often with an Internet Calling Plan from Etisalat or Du.

For business communication, platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet are widely accepted and more reliable.

The best time to call Dubai from the USA is 9 AM to 6 PM Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC + 4), which corresponds to 7 PM to 9 AM depending on different time zones. So, here are the corresponding times of different US time zones:

Note: Dubai follows Gulf Standard Time (GST) throughout the year and does not observe daylight saving time. In the United States, daylight saving time slightly changes the time difference depending on the season, so double-check the local time before placing an important call.

Calling Dubai from the US may seem complicated at first, but once you understand the correct international dialing format, the process becomes straightforward. By using the US exit code, the UAE country code, the correct Dubai prefix, and the local phone number, you can place calls confidently without confusion.

While the same dialing rules apply when calling other cities across the UAE, choosing the right calling method makes a significant difference in cost, call quality, and reliability. Among the available options, Calilio stands out as one of the best ways to call Dubai from the US, offering VoIP-based calling with virtual phone numbers, lower per-minute rates, and features designed for both personal and business communication.