What is the country code for the UAE?

The country code is +971. You must include this when dialing from Sri Lanka for the call to route internationally.

How much does it cost to call the UAE from Sri Lanka on Sayfone?

Sayfone offers transparent per-minute pricing at 8¢/min for calls to the United Arab Emirates, with transparent pricing or setup costs.

Can I call UAE mobile numbers the same way as landlines?

Yes, the dialing format is the same: +971 followed by the mobile prefix (50, 51, 52, 54, or 55) and the remaining 7 digits. Mobile calls may cost slightly more depending on your carrier.

What is the time difference between Sri Lanka and the UAE?

Sri Lanka is 1.5 hours ahead of the UAE. When it is 10:00 AM in Dubai, it is 11:30 AM in Sri Lanka. Neither region observes daylight saving time.

Do I need an app to call using Sayfone?

No, Sayfone is browser-based. You can call directly from your web browser on any device with an internet connection—no app download required.

What if the call doesn't connect?

Verify the number is correct and includes the full country code (+971). Check that your Sri Lankan carrier allows international calls. If the issue persists, contact your provider to confirm your account is active for international dialing.

Are there numbers I cannot dial internationally?

Most standard landlines and mobiles connect without issue. Some special numbers (toll-free, premium services) may not accept international calls; contact the organization directly if a number fails.

Quick Answer

How to Call the UAE from Sri Lanka

To call the United Arab Emirates from Sri Lanka, dial +971 followed by the area code and local number. All calls connect through the global telephone network.

Start calling

Cost tools

🇱🇰From Sri Lanka

To United Arab Emirates🇦🇪

$0.08

Per minute

+971

Country code

Call quality

Landline rate

$0.08/min

Mobile rate

$0.08/min

Same per-minute Sayfone rate for landline and mobile.

Average call quality

Steps at a glance

Dial +971 (UAE country code)
Enter the area code (1 for Dubai, 2 for Abu Dhabi, etc.)
Dial the local 7-digit number
Press call

Sources

1
ITU-T E.164 International Public Telecommunication Numbering Plan

DIALING INSTRUCTIONS

Step-by-Step Dialing Guide

Follow these steps to connect your call to the United Arab Emirates from Sri Lanka.

1
Dial the International Access Code
From Sri Lanka, begin with +971 (the UAE country code). On most phones, you can type + by holding the 0 key.
```
+971
```
2
Enter the Area Code
Select the Emirates area code. Dubai is 4, Abu Dhabi is 2, Sharjah is 6, and other emirates have their own codes.
```
+971 4 (Dubai) or +971 2 (Abu Dhabi)
```
3
Dial the Local Number
Enter the 7-digit local landline or mobile number without any leading zeros.
```
+971 4 1234567
```
Press Call
Complete the call. If using Sayfone, the rate will display before you connect.

Dialing format reference

+971

Use these patterns when entering a full international number to +971.

Mobile

+971 50/51/52/54/55 XXXXXXX (9 digits total after country code)

Landline

+971 [area code: 1–9] XXXXXXX (10 digits total after country code)

+971 4 1234567 (Dubai landline)
+971 2 6543210 (Abu Dhabi landline)
+971 50 1234567 (UAE mobile)

Major city area codes

Abu Dhabi2

Dubai4

Sharjah6

Ajman7

Umm Al Quwain6

Ras Al Khaimah7

Fujairah9

Sources

1
United Arab Emirates Numbering Plan

IMPORTANT RULES

UAE Dialing Rules & Number Formats

Understanding these rules ensures your call connects reliably to both landlines and mobile numbers.

Always Include the Country Code (+971)

The country code is required for all international calls. Without it, the call will not route to the UAE.

Drop Leading Zeros from Local Numbers

If dialing a number from within the UAE that begins with 0, remove it before dialing internationally. Dial only the digits after the country code.

Mobile Numbers Start with 50, 51, 52, 54, or 55

UAE mobile numbers always begin with one of these prefixes (two digits after the country code). Landline area codes are single digits (1–9).

Landline Format: Area Code + 7 Digits

All UAE landlines follow the pattern [area code] [7-digit local number]. For example, Dubai (4) + 7 digits = 10 total digits after the country code.

CALLING TIPS

Best Times to Call & Etiquette

Timing your call and understanding business practices helps you reach the right person and respect local customs.

Time & windows

Best Time to Call

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM GST

Sunday to Thursday (Friday–Saturday is weekend)

Avoid Calling

Friday–Saturday

Weekend in the UAE; many businesses closed

🇱🇰UAE Time Zone

GST (UTC+4) — no daylight savingThe UAE does not observe daylight saving time year-round.

🇱🇰Sri Lanka Time Zone

IST (UTC+5:30) — no daylight savingSri Lanka is 1.5 hours ahead of the UAE.

Calling tips

Call during standard business hours (8 AM–5 PM GST) for the best chance of reaching someone.
Morning calls (8–10 AM) tend to have fewer delays and better connection quality.
Friday is the Islamic holy day; most government and private offices are closed.
Allow extra time for connection setup if calling during peak hours (noon–2 PM GST).

Business etiquette

Greet with 'Assalamu Alaikum' (peace be upon you) or use 'As-salaam u alaikum' for formal respect, or simply 'Hello.'
Address people by their title and surname unless invited to use first names.
Be mindful of prayer times; offices may have reduced availability during these periods.
Keep calls brief and professional; Emiratis value efficiency in business communication.

Sources

1
Time and Date (UAE)

POTENTIAL ISSUES

Common Calling Issues & Restrictions

Understand what might prevent a call from connecting and how to resolve it.

Call Not Connecting

Verify you've dialed the full international format (+971 area code number). Check your Sri Lankan carrier's international roaming or calling plan; some providers require activation before international dialing. Test with a landline first if mobile dialing fails.

Poor Audio Quality

Network congestion, especially during peak hours (noon–3 PM GST), can reduce audio clarity. Try calling at off-peak times (early morning or evening). Switch to a stronger Wi-Fi network if available.

High Call Costs

Standard carrier rates for international calls from Sri Lanka to the UAE can be expensive. Using Sayfone provides transparent per-minute pricing at 8¢/min, helping you control costs.

Special Numbers May Have Restrictions

Some special numbers (toll-free, premium services, or government hotlines) may not accept international calls. If a number fails, contact the organization directly via email or their website to confirm the dialing method.

Sources

1
TRA UAE Contact Centre

Savings

See what you could save

Adjust the tools below to compare Sayfone with typical retail pricing for calls to United Arab Emirates. Start with one call, then layer on monthly volume to see the bigger picture.

How to use these tools

Sayfone uses your live rate for calls to United Arab Emirates — the same basis as the rest of this page.
First, estimate savings on a single call length. Then, model a full month of minutes versus typical retail benchmarks.
Retail competitor rows are illustrative — not a quote from any carrier.