Many people leave a country but keep a bank account, a tax portal or an old phone login tied to a number there. If that number lapses, you may be locked out, and a recycled number can end up in a stranger's hands. This guide compares what nine prepaid plans reportedly cost to keep alive, then explains what to check beyond price.
What it costs
The pattern is clear. Plans in the Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong reset a validity clock for the price of a coffee or less. Plans in the United States cost more because they run on a major network with unlimited text and calls, and some are marketed as real mobile numbers rather than virtual ones.
How each plan keeps you alive
| Plan | What keeps it alive | Reported detail |
|---|---|---|
| DITO eSIM (Philippines) | Top up at least 5 pesos once a year | Validity refreshed for 365 days and not stackable; roaming calls billed both ways |
| One NZ eSIM (New Zealand) | Pay-as-you-go eSIM bought for about 2 New Zealand dollars | Reported four-year validity and free incoming texts; the offer was sold out in September 2025 |
| AIS One-2-Call (Thailand) | Top up 10 baht a month, or a 49 baht year plan once balance reaches 120 baht | The carrier's own site expects a Thai ID |
| hahaSIM (Hong Kong) | Top up 10 Hong Kong dollars for 365 more days | Comes with 50 Hong Kong dollars of balance; registration is required for local use |
| CUniq Go (Hong Kong and mainland) | 9 Hong Kong dollars per 30 days after you cancel the data bundle | Opening needs at least three months prepaid and two ID checks |
| Saily (US) | 0.99 dollars a month subscription | Free incoming texts while subscribed; outgoing texts and minutes cost extra |
| RedPocket (US) | Annual plan | Offered on eBay at about 30 dollars a year, subject to availability |
| Tello (US) | From 5 dollars a month | Runs on T-Mobile; flexible add-ons |
| Helium Zero (US) | Monthly use of data | Free plan with 3 GB, 300 texts and 100 minutes; data works inside the US only |
The New Zealand offer was reported sold out in September 2025, which is a reminder that low-cost plans appear and disappear.
What to check beyond price
Real number or VoIP
Some institutions refuse numbers that are virtual. A plan on a carrier network is more widely accepted.
Can it receive texts abroad
Ask whether international roaming or Wi-Fi calling is included, and test before you depend on it.
ID registration
Many countries require SIM registration with a passport or national ID. Use your own documents and follow the steps.
The expiry date
Put a reminder in your calendar a month before. Once a number lapses, it can be recycled.
The better fix
A kept number is a bridge, not a destination. Move your bank and key accounts to an authenticator app or a passkey, and keep the number only as a backup. See two-factor and passkeys and why your verification number can lapse.
Questions people ask
Why do some plans cost almost nothing to keep?
Carriers in some markets sell no-monthly-fee prepaid plans where a small top-up extends the validity period. They earn from traffic and eventual use, not from the keep-alive fee.
Is a VoIP number as good as a real mobile number?
Not always. Some banks and brokers refuse VoIP numbers for verification. A number on a real mobile network is more widely accepted, which is why US plans on T-Mobile or AT&T cost more than a virtual number.
Can I receive texts abroad on these numbers?
Usually yes if the plan includes international roaming or Wi-Fi calling, but not on every plan. Test by asking a friend to text you from abroad, and keep the roaming rules in mind.
Sources
Written from these pages and checked against them on October 6, 2026. Programs and rules change, so check the provider’s current terms before you decide.
- Digital nomad guide (further reading): Hong Kong hahaSIM, 10 Hong Kong dollars a year to keep
- Digital nomad guide (further reading): CUniq Go dual-number card
- Digital nomad guide (further reading): DITO eSIM validity and top-up rules
- Digital nomad guide (further reading): AIS eSIM keep-alive plan
- Digital nomad guide (further reading): One NZ prepaid eSIM
- Digital nomad guide (further reading): Saily US number plan
- Digital nomad guide (further reading): RedPocket annual plan
- Digital nomad guide (further reading): Tello plans
General information, not financial, legal or travel advice. Your own card terms and the provider’s current rules always come first.