Do I need to register a SIM card in the Philippines?
Yes. Registration is mandatory under the SIM Registration Act (RA 11934) and an unregistered SIM will not work. Bring your passport — airport kiosks and operator stores complete the registration as part of the sale. SIMs registered to foreign tourists are limited to 30 days before automatic deactivation.
Checked 26 Jul 2026·3 plans cited·1 verified from provider·2 third-party·How we check this
The law was introduced to curb SMS scams and fraud, and it is enforced. There is no informal route around it: a SIM that has not been registered is deactivated.
What you need
- Your passport. For foreign nationals this is the required identification.
- Proof of address in the Philippines is sometimes requested — your hotel or accommodation address is normally accepted.
- The SIM itself, and a phone to receive the confirmation.
The 30-day tourist limit
This is the part most travellers do not hear about until it bites. A tourist-registered SIM is capped at 30 days, after which it deactivates regardless of your remaining balance or data validity. If you are staying longer, expect to visit an operator store to extend, and do not use the number as a recovery contact for anything that matters.
Answer last reviewed 26 Jul 2026. How we check our data.