International calling from the UAE doesn’t have to torch your balance. Etisalat’s international call offer at just 9 fils per minute is one of the cheapest, most reliable ways for prepaid users to ring family in high‑traffic destinations like India and Pakistan—without juggling Wi‑Fi, VoIP blocks, or confused parents on the other end.

This guide from TheDubaiWeb.com (your trusted local source for Dubai life, telecom tips, money savers, and smarter expat living) explains exactly how the 9 fils/min Etisalat offer works, who gets it, how to activate it, what it really costs, and whether it beats VoIP or DU’s IDD rates for your specific use case.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

What it is: A prepaid Etisalat add‑on that lets you call select countries from the UAE at 9 fils/minute.
Who can get it: Etisalat prepaid customers. (Postpaid? Skip to the “Alternatives for postpaid users” section.)
Price you actually pay: ~AED 5 per week (auto‑renews) + 9 fils/min for eligible destinations.
Activation (fastest way): Dial *135*90# and pick your country, or enable it from the My Etisalat UAE app.
Countries typically covered: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan (always reconfirm in the app—lists change).
Worth it? If you talk >10 minutes/week, it’s usually a steal.

What Exactly Is the Etisalat 9 Fils/Minute Offer?

It’s a discounted international calling tariff for Etisalat prepaid numbers that slashes your per‑minute rate to 9 fils for specific destinations. You’ll pay a small recurring weekly fee (around AED 5) to unlock that price.

Why Etisalat built it

The UAE is home to one of the world’s most diverse expat populations. Millions call home—daily. This pack targets price‑sensitive callers who don’t want to rely on internet calling apps, unstable Wi‑Fi, or elderly relatives who don’t use VoIP.

Who’s Eligible?

Eligible: Etisalat prepaid customers.
Not eligible: Postpaid lines for this exact 9 fils tariff. (But postpaid users can explore IDD boosters, international minutes add‑ons, or Etisalat Visitor/Wasel-specific promos via the app.)

Pro tip: If you’re on postpaid and your usage is heavy, compare postpaid IDD minute bundles vs switching one SIM to prepaid just for international calling. The math often favours prepaid if you call the same two countries a lot.

Countries Commonly Covered at 9 Fils/Minute

As of 2025 (always reconfirm in the app/USSD—destinations change), the 9 fils offer typically includes:

India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Nepal
Philippines
Egypt
Sri Lanka
Afghanistan

Reality check: Sometimes Etisalat runs country-specific versions (e.g., only India/Pakistan). Open My Etisalat UAE → Promotions → International Offers to see what’s live today.

How Much Does It Really Cost?

Base access fee: ~AED 5 per week (auto‑renews).
Call rate: 9 fils per minute to the supported country you select.

Important to remember

The weekly fee renews automatically every 7 days—ensure sufficient balance to avoid accidental expiry.
If it expires, you’ll be charged regular international rates unless you reactivate.
Daily or monthly variants sometimes appear—always check the app for the exact validity and price on the day you activate.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Activate Etisalat’s 9 Fils Offer

Option 1: USSD (fastest, no data required)

Dial *135*90# from your Etisalat prepaid SIM.
Pick your destination country from the menu.
Confirm activation and wait for the SMS confirmation.

Option 2: My Etisalat UAE App

Open My Etisalat UAE (iOS/Android).
Go to Promotions → International Offers.
Select “9 fils offer”, pick your country, and activate.

Option 3: SMS

Some promos allow activation by SMS (e.g., sending a keyword or country code to 1010 or 1012). Since SMS keywords change, double‑check in‑app or on etisalat.ae before using this path.

Is It Worth It? (Let’s Do the Math)

Without the offer

Typical rate to India (example): ~AED 1.20/min
10 minutes = AED 12

With the 9 fils offer

Weekly fee: AED 5
10 minutes = AED 0.90
Your total for the week: AED 5.90
Savings vs regular: ~51% (for just one 10‑minute call)

Call more? Save more.

30 minutes = AED 2.70 + AED 5 fee = AED 7.70 total
Versus AED 36 at a AED 1.20/min standard rate. That’s ~79% cheaper.

Recommended: How to Check Etisalat Balance

How It Compares: Etisalat 9 Fils vs. DU vs. VoIP Apps

Feature	Etisalat 9 Fils Offer	du International Offers	VoIP / Internet Calling (e.g., Botim, Zoom)
Per-minute rate	9 fils (to select countries)	Often 12–38 fils (varies by pack/country)	Free/cheap, but depends on paid VoIP packages & data
Quality	High, circuit-switched voice	High	Varies by Wi‑Fi/data quality, congestion
Internet required	No	No	Yes
Best for	Parents, seniors, business calls, non-tech users	Similar segment, but check rates	Tech-savvy users on both ends, stable internet

If both sides have reliable internet, VoIP can be cheaper. But when quality, reliability, and “just pick up and dial” simplicity matter, 9 fils wins.

Got Postpaid? Here’s What to Consider

If you’re postpaid, this exact 9 fils tariff usually doesn’t apply. But you can still save money by:

Purchasing IDD minute bundles inside the My Etisalat UAE app.
Checking monthly promos targeted to postpaid lines.
Porting a spare line to prepaid just for discounted international calling.

Explore our deeper telecom guides:

[Etisalat Data Plans 2025: Daily, Weekly & Unlimited Prepaid Packages] (TheDubaiWeb.com)
[How to Know My du Number in the UAE] (TheDubaiWeb.com)
[NBAD Balance Check: All Working Methods] (TheDubaiWeb.com)

Hidden Gotchas (Read Before You Activate)

Countries are limited: If your country isn’t on the list, the offer won’t help.
Auto‑renew bites: Forget to top up? You’ll lose the pack and go back to standard rates.
Short validity variants: Some versions are 24‑hour packs—make sure you know which one you activated.
Promos change: 2025 pricing and destination availability can shift—always validate in the app on the day you activate.

How to Cancel or Stop Auto‑Renewal

Dial *135*90# → choose deactivate (if available).
Or disable it from the My Etisalat UAE app under International Offers.
If you’re stuck, call 101 for support.

Recommended: How to Take Loan in Etisalat

Practical Tips to Maximise Savings

Batch your calls: If you’re paying AED 5/week, try to do your longer calls within that week.
Track minutes: The My Etisalat app shows usage and validity—check it.
Pair with recharge promos: Etisalat sometimes drops bonus international minutes with certain top‑ups.
Use VoIP for casual chats, 9 fils for guaranteed voice: Preserve your cheap minutes for serious, longer calls.
Compare DU vs Etisalat rates if you maintain two SIMs for work/personal—many UAE residents do.

Verdict: Is the 9 Fils Offer Still Worth It in 2025?

Yes—if you call India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, or other supported countries regularly. It’s simple, reliable, incredibly cheap compared to default IDD rates, and perfect for non-tech users or families who prefer traditional voice calls.

For light callers (under ~5 minutes per week), you’ll still pay the weekly AED 5 access fee—so it’s not always optimal. But for anyone crossing the 10–15 minute mark weekly, the savings are real.

FAQ

1) How do I activate the Etisalat international call offer at 9 fils per minute?

Dial *135*90#, choose your country, and confirm. Or open My Etisalat UAE → Promotions → International Offers and enable it there.

2) Is the 9 fils offer available for postpaid numbers?

No—it’s primarily designed for prepaid. Postpaid users can explore international minute bundles or IDD packs in the app.

3) How much does it cost per week?

Expect around AED 5/week (auto‑renewing) plus 9 fils/min for calls to supported countries.

4) What countries are covered?

Commonly: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan. Always double‑check in the app—lists change.

5) How do I stop the weekly auto‑renewal?

Deactivate via *135*90# or through the My Etisalat UAE app. When in doubt, call 101.

6) Is this better than WhatsApp/Zoom/Botim?

If both sides have solid internet and are comfortable using VoIP, internet calls can be cheaper. But for guaranteed quality, landline/mobile reachability, and simplicity, this 9 fils/minute pack wins.

7) Does it work outside the UAE?

No. It’s a UAE‑only offer.

8) How do I check if my pack is active?

Use My Etisalat UAE or dial *170# / *101# (menus vary—use the app for clarity).

9) Is there a daily version of the 9 fils offer?

Sometimes Etisalat rolls out daily or monthly variants. Check the app on the day you activate to see what’s live.

**10) How many fils per minute are Etisalat local calls?**

Local call rates depend on your specific prepaid/postpaid plan or add‑on. Check the My Etisalat UAE app for your current base tariff.

Want more money‑saving UAE telecom guides?

From Etisalat data plans to du number checks, UAE public transport hacks, and banking how‑tos, TheDubaiWeb.com has you covered:

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Shahzeen Usman

Shahzeen is a full-time content writer and passionate storyteller, dedicated to covering the latest trends, breaking news, and viral stories on TheDubaiWeb.com. With a sharp eye for what’s new and now, she delivers engaging, up-to-date content that keeps readers informed and entertained.

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