International Roaming FAQs

How can I use my Vi mobile in a foreign country i.e. on International Roaming?

1. To use your Vi mobile in a foreign country, you need to activate International Roaming service on your mobile before you leave India
2. International Roaming service allows you to use your phone in a foreign country. However, all the usage is charged as per applicable standard International Roaming rates. These rates differ from country to country. Given below is the range for the rates for various types of usage :
   
   - Incoming Calls: Rs 30/min to Rs 315/min
   - Outgoing Calls: Rs 21/min to Rs 399/min
   - Data Usage: Rs 563/MB to Rs 1536/MB
   - Outgoing SMS: Rs 15/SMS to Rs25/SMS
   
   
3. To use your phone freely in a foreign country without worrying about high bills, it is advisable that you purchase an International Roaming Pack. With a Vi Roaming pack, you can get Unlimited Free Data & Calls in most popular countries. Our packs cover more than 80 countries and we have packs to suit all kinds of trips – 1 day / 7 day packs for short trips and 10 day / 14 day / 28 day packs for longer holiday / stay abroad.
4. If you plan to purchase an International Roaming pack, then you do not need to activate the International Roaming service separately.
5. To activate International Roaming Service or Pack, you can simply go to the International Roaming section on the Vi app or our website www.myvi.infor more details mentioned below.

How can I activate International Roaming service on my number?

Prepaid
For customers from Kolkata, West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar circles: Send ACT IR as SMS to 144 (toll-free)

For customers from all other circles: International Roaming service is pre-activated.

For all Vi Prepaid subscribers, there are no charges for the service till such time the phone is not used on International Roaming. Only upon using your Vi prepaid mobile on International Roaming (for Outgoing calls, Incoming calls, Outgoing SMS & Data usage), you will be charged International Roaming service charge of Rs 99 covering next 28 days, in addition to the usage charges at applicable rates. The service charge of Rs.99 recurs every 28 days if you continue to be in International Roaming.

NOTE: If you activate an International Roaming pack before leaving India, you will NOT be charged the International Roaming service charge of Rs99.

Postpaid
Postpaid users need to activate International Roaming service before leaving the country. One can activate the service by visiting the Vi app or Vi website (www.myvi.in) or by calling up our Customer Care on 199 (toll-free).

Can I activate the International Roaming service after reaching another country?

YES, You can activate International Roaming Service after reaching another country, through Vi app or Vi website www.myvi.in by connecting to a local Wi-Fi. The service takes about 30 minutes to get activated after you have submitted the request. You may need to switch off your phone and switch it on to get it latched on to the available network once the service is activated.

However, it is advisable to activate the International Roaming service and pack before you leave India.

How can I purchase an International Roaming pack?

Simply log in to the Vi App on your Vi mobile or visit www.myvi.in and choose a pack as per your requirement and submit the pack activation request. You can even book your pack upto 60 days in advance to avoid last minute hassle.

Can I activate an International Roaming pack in advance?

Yes, you can activate an International Roaming pack upto 60 days in advance. You can submit a Future Dated Request on our My Vi^TM App or Vi website, as per your date of travel. The pack will get activated at 00:00 hours on the date you submit the request for. Just in case, your travel plan gets changed for any reason, you can cancel your pack activation request any time before the pack activation date. However, once the pack is activated, you cannot cancel the request irrespective of whether you travel or not.

This advance booking facility for International Roaming packs is available only for postpaid customers. We currently do not have this facility for prepaid customers.

Can I purchase an International Roaming Pack after reaching another country?

YES, you can purchase an International Roaming Pack after reaching another country, through Vi app or Vi website www.myvi.in by connecting to a local Wi-Fi. It takes about 30 minutes for the pack to get activated after you have submitted the request.

However, it is advisable to purchase the International Roaming pack before you leave India.

You can even book your pack upto 60 days in advance to avoid any last minute hassle.

Can I use my phone in a foreign country, if I do not buy a pack?

You can use your phone in a foreign country, without an International Roaming pack, as long as you have activated the International Roaming service on your mobile. However, it is advisable to use an International Roaming pack to avoid high bill as you will be charged as per the standard rates.

For prepaid customers from Kolkata, West Bengal, Orissa & Bihar circles, International Roaming Services need to be activated before travelling by sending ACT IR as SMS to 144 (toll-free ).

For Prepaid customers from all other circles, International Roaming service is pre-activated.

Postpaid users need to activate International Roaming service before leaving the country.

I am a postpaid user, how am I protected against high bills on International Roaming?

Your bill depend on how and how much you use your phone abroad. If you have not taken any International Roaming pack and use your phone normally a syou do in India, there is a high chance of you getting a very high bill. It is, therefore, advisable to use your phone on International Roaming only with a pack.

However, we have some safety measures in place to prevent high bill for you for any unconscious usage.

1. RoamSafe: To safeguard you from the accidental data usage in a foreign country, thereby resulting in high data charges, your mobile internet will be kept de-activated, if you travel without a pack or if you travel to a country where our packs are not applicable. If you still wish to use internet on your mobile, at the applicable standard roaming rates you can send the SMS ACT IRDATA to 199.
   
   However, we strictly advise NOT to use mobile internet abroad without International Roaming pack. If you decide not to take a pack, use a local wi-fi.
   
   Once the data service has been made active, it will remain ON unless a customer specifically deactivates the data service again.
   
   To again deactivate data service again, send the SMS: CAN IRDATA to 199
   
   
2. Always on : For pack users, we have additional safeguard with ‘Always-On’ feature to protect them from high International Roaming Charges for any usage post pack expiry. For eg, if you have taken a 7-day pack and you continue to use your phone on International Roaming even after the 7 days are over (you will get an intimation upon your pack expiry), you just get charged for the Daily Roaming pack @ Rs 599 and your entire usage is treated as pack usage, thereby saving you from any high bill basis standard rates.
   
   
3. Special Rates post Pack Quota : this is another safeguard for the pack users. If you finish your pack quota, you get special rates (>95% discount vs standard rates) for usage on International Roaming >> Rs3/min for incoming and outgoing local calls & calls back to India; Rs1/MB for data usage & Re1/SMS.

Lastly, we would recommend that you should always purchase an International Roaming pack for using your phone in a foreign country. Get worry-free with a pack, without worrying about any high bills.

If I have taken an International Roaming Pack, do I need to deactivate it after I return to India?

NO. All our International Roaming packs are for fixed validity. These expire as soon as the validity is over. You do not need to deactivate the packs at all.

How does the International Roaming Pack work? How do I know what is the pack benefit in the country I travel to?

Vi has the simplest structure for International Roaming packs. One pack works across more than 80 countries. So, you don’t need to buy different packs for different countries.

The Pack benefits vary as per the country you travel to and depending on whether you are using a postpaid number or a prepaid.

Vi International Roaming packs cover more than 80 countries. These countries are divided into 2 categories:

1. Unlimited Countries – You get Unlimited Data & Calls in these countries, if you are on a pack.
   
   For exact benefits, go to the International Roaming section on the Vi app or website, choose the country you are travelling to and check the applicable benefits. You also get the necessary information on the applicable benefits through SMS as soon as you land in any foreign country.
   
   
2. Non-Unlimited OR Discounted Countries – You will get a fixed quota (eg upto 5GB data or upto 1500 minutes) for usage in these countries. Exact benefits will depend on the pack you have purchased.
   
   Refer the table 1 for the list of Pack Countries
   
   
3. Non-Pack countries – Vi Roaming Packs are not applicable in these countries and you will be charged at Standard Roaming rates here even if you purchase an International Roaming pack.
   
   Refer the T&C Page for standard rates applicable.

What if the country I am travelling to is not covered under the Roaming plan?

You will be charged the standard roaming rates for these countries. For country wise standard roaming rates refer the Terms & Conditions Page

What happens after my pack is expired?

Vi Prepaid customers will be charged at standard roaming rates once the international roaming pack expires.

Vi Postpaid customers have superior benefits on the pack. All our postpaid Roaming Packs come with the ‘Always-On’ feature, to protect them from high International Roaming Charges for any usage post pack expiry. For eg, if you have taken a 7-day pack and you continue to use your phone on International Roaming even after the 7 days are over (you will get an intimation upon your pack expiry), you just get charged for the Daily Roaming pack @ Rs 599 and your entire usage is treated as pack usage, thereby saving you from any high bill basis standard rates.

How do I know applicable tariffs in various countries that I travel to?

1. If you have taken an International Roaming Pack then you will be charged as per the tariffs/benefits of your pack for that country / countries
2. In case you have International Roaming Services active and have not taken any International Roaming Pack then you will be charged as per the Standard Rates applicable in the country you are travelling to.
   Look out for the SMS you receive upon landing into a foreign country (you get these only if the International Roaming service is active on your Vi number)
   Alternatively, you can go to International Roaming section on Vi app or website (www.myvi.in) and search for the country you are travelling to and know the applicable charges
3. You can click here to know the Standard Rates applicable in various countries (hyperlink)

I am a REDX customer. How do I claim the FREE IR pack on my Red X Plan?

You can claim your IR Pack benefit by going to the “Plan Benefits” section on the home page of MYVi App. You can activate the inbuilt 7 days pack worth Rs.2999 without any extra cost or you can even give a future dated request to activate the pack for a future date as per your travel plan.

How to make voice calls once I reach another country?

To make voice calls from overseas, dial the number with the area code as you would do when in India. To call another country, dial + with the country code followed by the phone number. 

For E.g. to call someone in India while traveling abroad, just add India’s country code +91 as prefix and enter the number i.e. +9198110XXXXX

Can I use the same handset & SIM while traveling outside India?

Yes, you can use the same handset & SIM in any foreign country. Only if you are using a very old handset model or a non-4G handset, which may not be compatible with the available networks in some of the countries, you may need to change your handset. Eg many countries have only 4G network, so your handset should be 4G compatible to be used in that country.

What are the charges applicable for using voice, text and data while traveling abroad?

Vi^TM offers international roaming plans with free data, free SMS, free incoming calls and free outgoing calls. Charges will apply depending on the IR pack that you choose.

For further details related to Postpaid International Roaming click here and for Prepaid International Roaming click here.

Can I choose an International Roaming Pack for only the number of days I am travelling?

Yes. We have different packs to suit all kinds of trips – 1 day / 7 day packs for short trips and 10 day / 14 day / 28 day packs for longer holiday / stay abroad. Choose the one that best suits your need.

Can I use my free data quota on my Postpaid Plan or Prepaid Plan on International Roaming?

No, any in-built data quota on your postpaid or prepaid plan is not valid for usage outside of India. For International Roaming, you need to buy separate International Roaming packs.

If I call other countries while abroad, will I be charged?

While on a Vi^TM Roaming Pack, if you make a call within the country where you have travelled to or for calls back to India, you will not be charged (if your usage is within the pack quota). However, for any calls to any other country in the rest of the world, you’ll be charged @ Rs35/minute. If you are not on a pack, the rates will vary from country to country.

Refer the T&C Page for standard rates applicable.

Will I be charged for incoming messages while on International Roaming?

NO. Incoming SMS on International Roaming are not charged. However, incoming calls are chargeable on International Roaming.

What is Always On that comes inbuilt with Postpaid IR Pack

Always On is a feature that comes inbuilt with Postpaid International Roaming Packs to protect you from high International Roaming Charges for any usage post pack expiry. For eg, if you have taken a 7-day pack and you continue to use your phone on International Roaming even after the 7 days are over (you will get an intimation upon your pack expiry), you just get charged for the Daily Roaming pack @ Rs 599 and your entire usage is treated as pack usage, thereby saving you from any high bill basis standard rates.

How do I know when is my IR pack getting expired?

Your pack will always expire at 23:59 Hrs IST on the last day as per the validity of the pack that you’ve taken. You may refer the International Roaming Tab on My ViTM App or www.myvi.in to view the validity of Active International Roaming Pack/Service on your Mobile number.

For eg, if you take a 7 day International Roaming pack that gets activated on 1^st Jan (whatever time), it will expire on 7^th Jan 23:59 hrs IST.

How do I check the Data Quota left on my International Roaming Pack?

You can check the data quota of your International Roaming Pack on My ViTM App or www.myvi.in. you also get SMS alerts when you have consumed 50%, 90% and 100% of your pack data quota.

Tips on optimizing your mobile internet usage?

If you have online applications on your device, remember that data usage occurs throughout the day; hence usage will be billed accordingly.

Smart devices have a tendency to continuously access data network and automatically download some updates for certain applications like Weather, Stock/News alerts, social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook) and emails. Hence it is recommended, you disable data from your handset itself to avoid unnecessary charges by Switching off the settings.

Or alternatively check your handset menu to switch off data settings or auto updates It is advisable to log-out properly before terminating a surfing session thus ensuring unnecessary data transfer is avoided.

If I do not de-activate my International Roaming Pack/Service after returning to India, will I continue to get charged for it?

International Roaming Service continues to remain active on your number even after you return and will be billed as per your bill cycle. You can log into My Vi^TM App to check if the service is active on your number or not. You need to select the De-activate option if you wish to de-activate this service. Please take note that this service doesn’t auto activate and you’ll have to reactivate International Roaming Service on your number if you intend to use it again while travelling.

After expiry of your International Roaming Pack (Roaming 599, Roaming 2999, Roaming 3999, Roaming 4499 & Roaming 5999) you’ll be on the Always On feature which remains active on your number and protects you from high international roaming charges when you use your mobile number for making or receiving calls or using your mobile internet. This service will remain active even after you return to India but No charges would be incurred when in India. The “Always On” feature has a validity of 3 years once it gets activated.

Why am I billed for roaming even when I have not visited any roaming location in the last billing period?

Roaming usages are billed as per data received from the International Operators on whose network you would have used your mobile while in that country. This data is received upto 30 days from the time the usage is done. In case of delay in receiving such data files from the International Operators, usages made in a particular bill period may reflect in succeeding bill period.

10 Digit customer care number?

Calls from abroad back to India on the 10 Digit Customer Care number will be toll free from your Vi number.

I want to know about National roaming charges

There are no additional charges for National Roaming. Incoming calls are free for ALL postpaid & prepaid subscribers, when roaming anywhere in India.

Explore our packs & plans to enjoy the Truly Unlimited services across India

I want to contact customer care while travelling within India.

You can call the customer care on 199.

Table 1:

Unlimited Countries:

Non Unlimited Countries