eSim Outside Canada.

[FZ10]

Hello.

I'm arriving in Canada to study in College.

I rent an apartment in Canada, so I have an address.

Can I buy e-sim online outside Canada and then just activate it when I land in the airport?

[softech]

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@FZ10 wrote:

@softech  I have an app (Android 😃 ), but as people say I can't use my Master Card to buy esim 😃

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@FZ10  yes, that is another trouble.  So, I guess you really have to get travel eSIM first and then activate with PM when you are here (when you are here, you can buy a prepaid sim card and activate with it)

[FZ10]

@hairbag1  I'm coming from Mexico, but I have Mexican and Georgian (the country, not the state) cards.

[FZ10]

@softech  I have an app (Android 😃 ), but as people say I can't use my Master Card to buy esim 😃

[FZ10]

@Sashî I need Canadian card to get PM and I need PM to get Canadian card, brilliant! 😃

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@Sashî wrote:

I bought a low cost roaming esim for temp data use 

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Which one?

I suppose I just can go to Telus and buy one of their prepaid.

[softech]

@FZ10   If you meant PM's eSIM, you need to have a device on PM's eSIM compatible list.  

Also, the trouble is that you need PM app to complete the activation, but PM app can only be download for people with app store set to Canada , which I am not sure you have it.  But you can sideload it if you are on Android

Your other choice is to get travel eSIM for the begining so you have data to use.  When you landed in Canada, you can then buy a physical sim card and activate.  (Again, hvae to find a way to download the PM app, either with a proper app store location settings or sideload it)

[hairbag1]

@FZ10 

which country are you coming from ? If from US, consider downloading free voip app to your cell phone. You'll select a free Cdn number so others can call / text you AND you'll be able to call / text most any US or Cdn number ...for free. TextNow works using your wifi.

[Sashî]

I faced similar issue a month back.

you need Canadian card to buy the PM card.

I bought a low cost roaming esim for temp data use and once I got my debit/credit card in Canada I bought the esim online.

[esjliv]

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@FZ10 wrote:

@hairbag1 

So I can't use Public Mobile with my European Master card?

That is a very strange decision...

Well, then Public is not for me, I suppose.

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Awe no, you cannot @FZ10 . you could likely use a visa gift card.

[esjliv]

@FZ10 - i thought you needed to activate the eSIM when you pick and pay for a plan. But maybe not.

As for physical sim card, someone mentioned today that a plan can be subscribed to and paid for even without a physical sim card, which surprised me. So if this is the case, why couldn't an eSim be activated at a later date too?

Doesn't quite make sense to me if you are paying full price up front.

Check out some FAQ's on eSIMs here: https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/esim-faqs

IF further confirmation is needed maybe ask public customer support to verify.

[FZ10]

@hairbag1 

So I can't use Public Mobile with my European Master card?

That is a very strange decision...

Well, then Public is not for me, I suppose.

[hairbag1]

@FZ10 

you're going to need a valid Cdn or US credit card/ debit card.

added link..https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/update-or-remove-your-payment-card

[FZ10]

@Handy1
 Yes, and I'm going to activate it inside Canada when I land in Toronto.

But I just want to buy an eSIM outside Canada and add it to my phone so that when I land, I just push the button, and voilà, I have a Canadian cell number.

Or do you have to activate eSIM immediately, right after buying?

Or is it impossible to buy it without activation?

[Handy1]

@FZ10  You best to be in Canada before you activate and you can choose eSIM at that time . As PM only works in Canada and the US with roaming ads ons