To make international calls on your Verizon cell phone from the US, dial 011 followed by the country code and phone number, or use simplified 10-digit dialing for Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean nations.
The correct way to dial an international number from the US
For most countries outside the US, the standard dialing sequence is:
- Dial 011 (the international exit code for calls from the US). You can also dial the plus sign (+) instead of 011 to start an international call.
- Enter the country code of the destination.
- Dial the local phone number, including the area or city code, and tap Call. Remove any leading zeros from the area or city code when dialing.
For Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean nations, you can skip the 011 prefix and simply enter the 10-digit phone number, then tap Call. Countries using this simplified 10-digit dialing include American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guam, Jamaica, Montserrat, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Verizon international calling plans to save you money
To get discounted rates or enable calling to most international destinations from the US, you typically need to add an international long distance plan to your Verizon line. Verizon offers three main add-on plans for international calling and plans:
- Global Calling provides unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada and discounted calls to over 220 other countries. Global Calling costs $5/month.
- Global Choice allows you to select one country and receive up to 300 minutes per month to call that country, plus discounted rates to over 220 other countries. Global Choice costs $10/month.
- Global Calling Plus offers unlimited calls from the US to landlines in over 60 countries and mobile phones in over 30 countries, along with discounted calls to over 160 countries. Global Calling Plus costs $15/month.
You can add an international calling plan through the My Verizon app, My Verizon online, or by texting specific keywords (such as "Plus" for Global Calling Plus or "Global" for Global Calling) to 4004.
Check if your domestic plan already includes international calling
Some Verizon domestic mobile phone plans, such as Unlimited Ultimate and myPlan Unlimited, already include international calling benefits like unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada from the US, or one Global Choice country. Before adding a separate plan, review your current plan details to see if you already have coverage.
Cost-effective alternatives: using calling apps
As a free or low-cost alternative to Verizon's international rates, you can use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps like WhatsApp or Skype over Wi-Fi. These apps make international calls using your internet connection instead of traditional cellular service, potentially saving you money. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible to avoid consuming cellular data or incurring additional charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my account need to be active for 34 days before I can add international calling?
Your account must be active for 34 days and in good standing to add certain international calling permissions, as Verizon requires this waiting period to verify account stability before enabling international features.
What happens if I already have an international calling plan and add a new one?
Adding a new international calling plan will replace any existing international calling plan on your line, so choose the plan that best fits your needs before switching.
Do rates differ for calling mobile vs. landline numbers internationally?
Yes, calls to certain international destinations may require additional permissions or incur different rates for mobile versus landline numbers, so check the specific rates for the number type you are calling.
