How it works
Keep your number in three simple steps
Move your number to ExpatTel before you fly. We deal with your carrier, you keep using your phone until it’s done — and nothing is billed until your number is live.
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Step 1: 5–10 minutes
Sign up
Choose the country your number is from and monthly or yearly billing, then give us the details the port needs. Nothing is billed yet.
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Step 2: Hours to a few days
We move your number
We deal with your carrier — typically same or next working day for US & UK numbers, 4 hours to 3 business days for Australia. Keep using your SIM until then, and don’t cancel your plan — the port closes it.
- Submitted
- Under review
- Processing
- Carrier confirmation
- Completed
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Step 3: Billing starts here
Bin the SIM
Your number is live on ExpatTel, wherever you are. Transcribed voicemails and texts reach the portal and your inbox within seconds.
- Not billed until your number ports in
- 14-day cooling-off
- Cancel any time
- No port-out fee
Why expats keep their number with ExpatTel
Everything that reaches your number keeps reaching you, with no second phone and no SIM to look after.
Keep your number
Stay connected no matter where life takes you. You can keep your mobile number and avoid the hassle of missing important messages, even while travelling or living abroad.
Avoid being cut off
No more second phone and juggling prepaid recharges. Your number stays active and important notifications come in without any nasty surprises.
Bin your SIM
No need for a physical SIM. ExpatTel operates entirely over the internet — all you need is a reliable connection to stay reachable.
Don't miss a call
With ExpatTel's voicemail, calls go straight to voicemail — transcribed and pushed to the app and email in seconds.
See it in action
See exactly what you get
Every call becomes a voicemail you can read, and every text lands right beside it — within seconds, wherever you are.
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Voicemail, transcribed
Calls go straight to voicemail. You get the recording and a written transcript within seconds.
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Texts, including most bank codes
SMS to your number lands in the same inbox, one-time codes included. A few banks need a local SIM, so check yours before you port.
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Wherever you check
Every message goes to the app, the web portal and your email. Open whichever is closest.
Receive-only. Calls go to voicemail, and you can’t call or text out from your ExpatTel number — use WhatsApp for that. The iOS and Android apps are coming soon; the web portal works on any device today.
Illustration of the ExpatTel app on a phone. The lock screen shows two notifications: a text from your bank with the one-time code 482 913, and a 42-second voicemail from Mum. The app’s inbox lists the bank code, Mum’s voicemail with a play button and its transcript (“Hi love, just checking you landed okay…”), a text from an airline saying check-in is open, and an 18-second voicemail from a GP clinic.
The ExpatTel app Coming soon to iOS and Android
Illustration of the ExpatTel web portal in a browser at portal.expat.tel. The inbox lists your texts and voicemails. Mum’s 42-second voicemail is open, with an audio player and the full transcript: “Hi love, it’s Mum. Just checking you landed okay — hope the flight wasn’t too long. Give us a ring on WhatsApp when you’re settled. Dad says hi!”
The web portal Any browser, any device — available today
Illustration of an email from ExpatTel with the subject “New voicemail from” a masked Australian mobile number. It shows when the call came in and how long it was, the start of the transcript (“Hi love, it’s Mum. Just checking you landed okay…”) and a “Listen to voicemail” button.
Your email A copy of every voicemail and text, as it arrives
Like what you see? Let's make it official.
You're 10 minutes away from never worrying about your number again. Sign up, kick off your port, and watch it happen.
Let's goPricing by country
Choose monthly or yearly billing. Cancel any time.
Prices shown in the local billing currency. Taxes may apply based on your billing address.
Wherever you are, we're there too
Voicemails and texts pop up in the app, the portal and your inbox — beach Wi-Fi, airport lounge or mountain hut, you're covered.
Open the portalLosing your number vs keeping it
What happens when you move overseas — the honest version.
The old way
- Your number goes silent. Bank 2FA, doctor, family, contacts — every service that has your number stops working the day you leave.
- You chase everyone down. Update your details with every service and person. Miss one, get locked out later.
- Second phone, prepaid dance. A local SIM to receive messages, a home-country SIM you can't afford to keep — both a hassle.
- Missed calls, forever. No forwarding, no voicemail, no way to know who tried to reach you or why.
The new way
- Your number stays yours. Bank 2FA, doctor, family, contacts — everything that has your number keeps working.
- Nothing to update. No service, contact or record needs a change of details. Your number is still your number.
- Bin the SIM. ExpatTel runs entirely over the internet — one flat monthly fee, wherever you are.
- Voicemail with transcripts. Every call becomes a notification, transcript, and audio — in the app and your email within seconds.
Still not sure? We're one message away.
Most answers are in the FAQ just below. If yours isn't, drop us a note — we typically reply within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have a question that is not here? Contact us.
We can currently port mobile numbers from Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States and port times vary between countries.