UAE Phone Numbers: Complete Format, Validation & Area Code Guide

Introduction

UAE phone numbers use the +971 country code and follow strict formatting rules set by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Whether you're building telecommunications software, validating user input, or integrating SMS services, understanding UAE phone number formats prevents failed calls, improves user experience, and ensures regulatory compliance. This comprehensive guide covers UAE phone number structure, validation rules with code examples, mobile prefixes (050, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058), landline area codes, E.164 standards, and TDRA compliance requirements.

Quick Reference

• Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Country Code: +971
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0
• Standard: ITU-T E.164 compliant
• Regulatory Authority: TDRA – Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (https://tdra.gov.ae)
• Official Numbering Plan: ITU-T E.164 National Numbering Plan (updated June 2009, effective document)
• Number Length: 5–12 digits excluding country code (source: ITU-T E.164 for country code 971)

Understanding UAE Phone Number Format and Structure

Understand how UAE phone numbers are structured before implementing validation and formatting logic. This foundation ensures accuracy across your entire system.

Core Number Components

Every UAE phone number consists of three essential parts:

• Country Code: Always +971 for the UAE per ITU-T E.164 standard. Store and process numbers with the +971 prefix to ensure international compatibility.
• Service Identifier: Indicates the service type – mobile, landline, toll-free, premium rate, or shared cost. Recognize the service identifier to route calls correctly and apply appropriate validation rules.
• Subscriber Number: The unique identifier that distinguishes each subscriber within their service type.

UAE Phone Number Format Specifications

UAE phone numbers follow these formats per TDRA specifications and ITU-T documentation:

Incorrect formatting leads to failed calls, misdirected messages, and frustrated users. Validate against these formats to ensure data integrity.

How to Validate UAE Phone Numbers (JavaScript Implementation)

Validate UAE phone numbers with this JavaScript implementation. Adapt the principles to any language.

// Comprehensive UAE phone number validation
const validateUAEPhone = (phoneNumber) => {
  // Remove spaces and formatting for consistency
  const cleaned = phoneNumber.replace(/\s+/g, '');
  
  // Validation patterns per TDRA and ITU-T E.164 specifications
  const patterns = {
    landline: /^\+971[2-9][2-8]\d{6}$/,
    mobile: /^\+9715[02-8]\d{7}$/,
    tollFree: /^\+971800\d{2,9}$/,
    premium: /^\+971900[02]\d{5}$/,
    sharedCost: /^\+971700[05]\d{5}$/
  };

  // Check against each pattern
  for (const [type, pattern] of Object.entries(patterns)) {
    if (pattern.test(cleaned)) {
      return {
        isValid: true,
        type: type,
        formatted: formatUAEPhone(cleaned, type),
        standard: 'E.164'
      };
    }
  }

  // No match found
  return {
    isValid: false,
    error: 'Invalid UAE phone number format per TDRA specifications'
  };
};

// Example usage:
console.log(validateUAEPhone('+971 50 123 4567')); // Valid mobile number
console.log(validateUAEPhone('+97142345678')); // Valid landline number
console.log(validateUAEPhone('+971 123 456 7890')); // Invalid number

Integrate this validation into any system component that accepts phone number input.

Common Validation Test Cases:

Test your validation against these scenarios:

• Missing Country Code: Input "050 123 4567" returns invalid. Prepend "+971" if the input starts with "0" to handle local number formats.
• Incorrect Length: Inputs "+971 50 123456" or "+971 50 12345678" fail due to length mismatches.
• Invalid Characters: The replace function handles inputs with non-numeric characters (e.g., "+971 50 123-4567"), but add specific error messages for better user feedback.
• Unallocated Prefixes: Numbers like "+971 51 123 4567" or "+971 59 123 4567" should fail validation as these prefixes aren't allocated (source: ITU-T 2009, TDRA 2025).

Handle these edge cases to make your validation robust and user-friendly.

Technical Implementation Best Practices

Build upon the validation example with these best practices for handling UAE phone numbers.

Error Handling for UAE Phone Numbers

Implement effective error handling for UAE phone numbers:

1. Invalid Format Detection: Check for invalid formats and provide clear, informative error messages.

   javascript

   if (!phoneNumber.startsWith('+971')) {
     throw new Error('UAE phone numbers must start with +971 country code');
   }
   

2. Service Type Validation: Validate the service type (mobile, landline, etc.) based on the prefix using a lookup table.

   javascript

   const validateServiceType = (prefix) => {
     const validPrefixes = {
       mobile: ['50', '52', '53', '54', '55', '56', '57', '58'],
       landline: ['2', '3', '4', '6', '7', '9']
     };
   
     // Check if the prefix exists in any valid prefix array
     for (const type in validPrefixes) {
       if (validPrefixes[type].includes(prefix)) {
         return { isValid: true, type };
       }
     }
   
     return { isValid: false, error: 'Invalid service type prefix – prefix not allocated by TDRA' };
   };
   
   // Example usage:
   console.log(validateServiceType('50')); // Valid mobile prefix
   console.log(validateServiceType('4')); // Valid landline prefix
   console.log(validateServiceType('60')); // Invalid prefix
   

   This function validates the service type specifically, providing granular control over phone number handling.

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in UAE

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows users to switch carriers while keeping their existing number. Launched by TDRA in December 2013, the service applies to all mobile numbers starting with 050, 055, 052, 054, 058, 056 (source: TDRA official site, 2025). A number's prefix no longer corresponds to its current carrier. Address this with these approaches:

1. Real-time Validation: Query the TDRA's MNP database for accurate carrier information. Handle potential timeouts and service unavailability gracefully. Cache query results with an appropriate Time-To-Live (TTL) – typically 24–48 hours – to improve performance and reduce database dependency.

2. Status Updates: If your application requires ongoing knowledge of a number's carrier, monitor number status changes. Use webhooks to receive updates from the TDRA. Maintain audit logs of these changes for compliance and troubleshooting.

3. Fallback Logic: When the MNP database is unavailable, use prefix-based routing as a fallback while logging the degraded service mode for investigation.

MNP Process Details (TDRA, 2013–2025):

• Process Model: Recipient-led – subscribers contact only the new operator, who coordinates with the old operator
• Eligible Numbers: Mobile (050, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058), fixed landline (02, 03, 04, 06, 07, 09 – launched 2021), toll-free (800 – launched 2022)
• Customer Types: Both prepaid and postpaid customers; both consumer and enterprise users
• Prerequisites: Number must not be suspended; all financial obligations with current provider must be cleared; number must be registered in customer's name
• Timeline: Transfers optimized to less than one hour for most mobile requests (down from 7 working hours); fixed and toll-free transfers typically complete within 1–2 working days (source: TDRA 2022–2025)
• Cost: Free of charge to the subscriber
• Usage Statistics: 1.7 million mobile numbers ported between service providers as of 2021 (source: TDRA press release, 2021)

Implement these practices to create a reliable system for handling UAE phone numbers. Prioritize data integrity, user experience, and regulatory compliance.

UAE Mobile Operators: Etisalat, du, and Virgin Mobile

Understanding the major telecom operators in the UAE provides context for your development work.

Etisalat (e&)

Rebranded as "e&" in 2022, Etisalat is the UAE's flagship carrier. They offer comprehensive mobile and fixed-line services across all seven emirates.

• Mobile Network Coverage: Primary prefixes include 050, 054, and 056 (source: ITU-T 2009, Wikipedia 2025). Etisalat operates a nationwide 5G network with speeds up to 1 Gbps in urban areas.
• Fixed Line Services: Nationwide coverage with fiber-optic infrastructure reaching 95% of residential and commercial premises.

du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company)

du is the second major telecom operator in the UAE, fostering market competition since its launch in 2007:

• Mobile Network Coverage: Primary prefixes include 052, 055, and 058 (source: ITU-T 2012, Wikipedia 2025). du operates a 5G network covering major urban centers.
• Fixed Line Services: Strategic focus on urban areas with high-speed fiber connectivity and business telecommunications solutions.

Virgin Mobile UAE

Virgin Mobile UAE launched in 2017 as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) operating on du's network infrastructure:

• Mobile Network Coverage: Prefixes include 053 and 058 (shared with du) (source: Wikipedia 2025). Virgin Mobile operates as a digital-first provider with no physical retail stores.
• Service Model: Prepaid plans only with app-based management and 60-minute delivery service in major cities.
• Network Infrastructure: Uses du's 4G and 5G network infrastructure for coverage.

DOMC (Dubai Offshore Mobile Company)

DOMC serves specialized maritime and offshore operations:

• Mobile Network Coverage: Prefix 057 (source: Wikipedia 2025).
• Service Focus: Maritime, offshore, and specialized communication services.

UAE Area Codes by Emirate and Region

Geographic area codes correspond to emirates:

Use this information to identify the location associated with a landline number, though number portability (launched 2021 for fixed lines) reduces reliability.

Emergency Services Numbers

UAE emergency services are accessible 24/7 nationwide (source: TDRA official emergency numbers page):

• 999 – Police (Emergency)
• 901 – Police (Non-emergency)
• 998 – Ambulance
• 997 – Fire Department (Civil Defence)
• 996 – Coast Guard
• 995 – Find and Rescue
• 991 – Electricity & Water failure
• 992 – Water failure

Store these numbers in your application for quick access during emergencies.

Golden Numbers System

The UAE operates a "Golden Numbers" system – premium phone numbers with distinct patterns.

Categories include:

• Platinum: Perfect sequences (e.g., 971-50-000-0000)
• Gold: Repeated digits (e.g., 971-50-444-4444)
• Silver: Sequential patterns (e.g., 971-50-123-4567)

While not directly relevant to validation, understanding the Golden Numbers system provides context for the UAE telecom market.

TDRA Compliance Requirements

Operating within the UAE telecom landscape requires adherence to specific regulations and technical standards.

Technical Standards for UAE Telecommunications

The TDRA enforces technical standards to ensure quality and reliability:

• Network Quality: Minimum 99.99% uptime required for critical services
• Call Quality: Mean Opinion Score (MOS) greater than 4.0 expected for voice quality
• Data Services: Guaranteed minimum speeds per service level agreements
• Emergency Services: 24/7 accessibility to emergency services mandatory

Meet these standards to maintain reliable telecommunications service. Failure to comply results in penalties and reputational damage.

Regulatory Compliance: Key Requirements

Ensure your implementations comply with TDRA requirements:

1. Format Compliance: Adhere strictly to number format specifications per ITU-T E.164 (2009). Implement all required validation rules to prevent invalid numbers from entering your system. Support proper international formatting (+971) to ensure interoperability.

2. Error Management: Provide clear, informative error messages when validation fails. Log validation failures for troubleshooting and analysis. Implement error reporting to TDRA for critical issues affecting service delivery.

3. Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of your implementation, including validation rules, error handling procedures, and system updates. Store audit logs for a minimum of 12 months per TDRA requirements.

Adhere to these TDRA requirements to ensure your applications comply with UAE regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions About UAE Phone Numbers

What is the UAE country code for international calls?

The UAE country code is +971. All UAE phone numbers must include this prefix for international calls and should be stored in E.164 format for maximum compatibility.

How do you validate a UAE mobile number?

UAE mobile numbers follow the format +971 5[02-8] X{7}. Valid prefixes are 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58. The total length is 13 digits including the country code. Use regex validation: /^\+9715[02-8]\d{7}$/

What are the area codes for UAE emirates?

UAE landline area codes by emirate:

• Abu Dhabi: 02
• Al Ain: 03
• Dubai: 04
• Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain: 06
• Ras Al Khaimah: 07
• Western Region: 08
• Fujairah: 09

How does Mobile Number Portability work in the UAE?

MNP allows users to keep their phone number when switching between operators. Launched December 2013 for mobile, 2021 for fixed lines, and 2022 for toll-free numbers. The number prefix no longer indicates the current carrier. Query the TDRA MNP database for accurate carrier information and cache results for 24–48 hours.

Which mobile prefixes belong to Etisalat vs du?

Etisalat prefixes: 050, 054, 056
du prefixes: 052, 055, 058
Virgin Mobile prefixes: 053, 058 (operates on du's network)
DOMC prefix: 057

Note that due to MNP, prefix no longer guarantees the current carrier.

Are UAE phone numbers E.164 compliant?

Yes, UAE phone numbers follow the ITU-T E.164 international standard. Store numbers in E.164 format (+971XXXXXXXXX) for international compatibility and consistent validation.

How do I convert UAE local numbers to international format?

Remove the leading "0" and prepend "+971". For example: "050 123 4567" becomes "+971 50 123 4567". Always store numbers in international format for maximum compatibility across systems and carriers.

Which operator currently owns a 050 or 055 prefix number?

Originally, 050 was assigned to Etisalat and 055 to du. However, due to Mobile Number Portability (MNP) launched in December 2013, users can switch carriers while keeping their number. The prefix no longer guarantees the current carrier. Query the TDRA MNP database for accurate, real-time carrier information.

Conclusion

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of working with phone numbers in the UAE. By understanding the number structure, implementing robust validation, following best practices, and adhering to TDRA regulations, you ensure your applications handle the complexities of the UAE telecom landscape. Check the TDRA's official documentation at https://tdra.gov.ae regularly for updates to number formatting requirements and validation rules.