Can I get a US number if I live abroad?

Can I get a US number while abroad?

Yeah, you can. It’s weird, isn’t it? Getting a US number…from anywhere. I did it last year, needed it for work. A virtual number.

It’s unsettling, though. Feels…detached. Like a ghost number.

Key things to know:

• Virtual numbers are the key. No physical SIM card needed. My phone feels lighter knowing that.
• Forwarding calls is essential. It goes to my regular phone, an app really. I use Google Voice. So convenient.
• Country code is +1. That’s pretty much it. Everything else is handled by the app. A little unnerving at first.

I still think about it sometimes. The disconnect, I mean. A part of me wishes it was simpler. I’ve been using it for almost a year now, and it does work perfectly. The thing is, it’s not exactly ‘real’, is it? It feels…different. The distance, even. The isolation even through technology. I suppose it’s progress.

How can I get a US number from outside US?

Okay, US number from abroad… hmm.

Yeah, foreigners CAN get a US number! It’s those virtual phone number things. Like that app my cousin uses…I should ask her.

• Virtual phone numbers are the way to go.

• VoIP too – Voice over Internet Protocol. What does that even stand for again? Oh well.

No laws against it, I’m pretty sure. Is that even a thing to legislate? Haha.

• No legal restrictions prevent foreigners from obtaining a US virtual phone number.

Okay, so virtual phone services or VoIP providers are the answer. Got it.

My neighbor got a US number for their online store. Wonder which one they used? I’ll just ask them.

Additional Info

• Examples of Virtual Phone Number Services: Google Voice, Skype, Twilio, NumberBarn, Grasshopper, Vonage, Talkroute, eVoice, Phone.com, OpenPhone, RingCentral.

• Considerations:

  • Pricing: Costs vary depending on the service and features.
  • Features: Options like call forwarding, voicemail, texting, and call recording are available.
  • Reliability: Check user reviews for service quality and uptime.
  • Ease of Use: Choose a service with a user-friendly interface.
  • Customer Support: Ensure the provider offers adequate customer support.

• Setup:

  • Sign up with a provider.
  • Choose a US area code and number.
  • Configure settings like call forwarding.
  • Download the provider’s app or use their web interface.

Can you keep your mobile number if you move abroad?

Oh, so you wanna be all international while clinging to your old digits? Like a digital nomad with separation anxiety!

Yes, KrispCall (and others, presumably, I’m not their spokesperson, though the thought is tempting) lets you keep your number when you ditch this hemisphere. Fancy!

But hold your horses, buttercup. There’s always a catch, isn’t there?

• Fees, fees, everywhere! Expect to pay something. It’s like the universe’s tax on your global shenanigans. Don’t get too excited.

• Terms & Conditions apply. Always. Read the fine print. I know, it’s boring, like watching paint dry but… important. You might find out your dreams of eternal number-ownership are but a fleeting illusion.

• Your friends might still think you’re in that old area code and be confused when you start talking about tapas at 3 AM. My friend Sarah STILL thinks I live in Detroit, and I moved in 2023.

It’s like keeping your ex’s sweatshirt, comforting…and ultimately, maybe a little weird?

More to Mull Over (Because One-Liners Can’t Solve Everything)

• Porting, Not Magic: It’s called “porting.” Sounds like something out of Star Trek, doesn’t it? Sadly, it’s just transferring your number.
• Think of Alternatives: Maybe a new number isn’t the end of the world? Seriously, consider it. A fresh start! Like getting new socks, all shiny and ready.
• Data Roaming isn’t the Same: Keeping your number active and having cheap data roaming are two entirely different beasts. One’s a pet hamster, the other’s a fire-breathing dragon.
• Carrier Shenanigans: Not all carriers play nice. Some make it harder than solving a Rubik’s cube in the dark. Shop around! Don’t settle for second best. I learned that when buying my tea kettle last Tuesday.

How do I get a US phone number from abroad?

Another night. Another thought.

Yeah, foreigners can get a US number. It’s like…a ghost of a number. Not really there, here, with me.

• Virtual phone services are the key.
• VoIP, that’s another way. Voice over Internet Protocol, I think.

No laws stop you. Imagine that. Something so simple, getting a US number, and no wall high enough to block it. Weird, huh? Just need a service to do it. No big deal. But like…where are you calling? and why?

Can you port your number internationally?

Yeah, porting my number from the UK to Canada in 2023 was a nightmare. Six weeks? Ha! More like ten. Absolute chaos. My old provider, Three, was useless. Their website? A joke. I spent hours on hold. Seriously, hours. And the customer service reps? Sounded like they were reading from a script written in the Dark Ages. So frustrating!

The new provider, Telus, was much better, at least they were responsive. But the process itself? Painful. Tons of paperwork. I needed my passport, my UK address, my Canadian address, proof of residency, my bank statement, even a selfie with my passport— all digital copies, of course. They even wanted a signed document showing my intention to receive the bill, electronically! Ridiculous!

The worst part? The uncertainty. For days, my phone was completely useless. No calls, no texts, nothing. Panic mode activated. I felt completely disconnected, like a ghost. I was missing important calls, business calls. Ugh. I felt stranded. I thought I was never gonna get my number back.

The whole thing cost a fortune too. Unexpected fees everywhere. There were hidden charges, processing fees, administrative fees… This added insult to injury. I was furious.

Things that made the whole process hell:

• Unclear instructions: The websites were terrible. Seriously, whoever designed these sites should be fired.
• Long wait times: On hold for ages. Every time.
• Hidden fees: They kept springing up! So sneaky.
• Excessive paperwork: Seriously, a selfie with my passport? Are you kidding me?

Ultimately, I got my number ported. But it was a battle. A stressful, expensive, time-consuming battle. I would not recommend it lightly. I’d rather change numbers. Seriously.