If you have a Mexican prepaid SIM card — or plan to buy one when you land — there is a deadline you need to know about right now. Mexico’s telecoms regulator, IFETEL (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones), is suspending all unregistered prepaid numbers whose final digit is 3 on 30 September 2026, just three days from today’s date.
The suspension affects both domestic users and travellers who purchased a SIM without completing biometric registration. If your number ends in 3 and is not registered by midnight on 30 September, it will be deactivated.
Why Mexico Requires SIM Registration
Mexico introduced mandatory registration for prepaid SIM cards as part of a national security initiative. Every SIM must be linked to a valid government-issued ID using biometric verification — typically a passport scan and a selfie. IFETEL has been phasing out non-compliant numbers by final digit, working through each batch on a published schedule. The digit-3 batch is next.
How to Check and Register Your Number
Step 1 — Check the final digit of your Mexican number. If it ends in anything other than 3, this deadline does not affect you yet, though registration is still required eventually.
Step 2 — Register through your carrier’s app or website. All major Mexican carriers (Telcel, AT&T México, Movistar) have English-language registration flows available through their apps. You will need:
- Your SIM’s ICCID number (printed on the SIM card or its packaging)
- A photo of your passport
- A selfie for facial verification
Registration typically completes within five to ten minutes.
Step 3 — In-person registration. If you are currently in Mexico, take your passport and SIM to any Telcel store or OXXO convenience store. Staff can complete registration on the spot at no charge.
If your SIM is suspended before registration is completed, the number is deactivated and any remaining credit is forfeited. You will need to purchase a new SIM.
Buying a New SIM After 30 September
Travellers arriving after the deadline are unaffected by this particular batch. Registration for new SIMs has been mandatory at the point of sale for some time. When buying from an airport kiosk or convenience store, staff will photograph your passport and complete registration before handing over the card.
The main carriers for tourist SIMs:
- Telcel — the widest coverage network in Mexico, covering remote coastal areas, the Yucatán peninsula, and highland towns in Oaxaca and Chiapas
- AT&T México — reliable 4G in major cities and tourist corridors
- Movistar — competitive data pricing in urban centres
Monthly prepaid plans typically cost between 150 MXN and 350 MXN for unlimited data (with speed limits after a daily threshold).
eSIMs Skip the Registration Process
If you prefer to avoid in-person registration entirely, an eSIM purchased before you travel is the simpler option. Several international eSIM providers offer Mexico data plans from around €8 for 30 days. Installation takes under five minutes through your phone’s settings, and the SIM is active the moment you land.
What Happens to Other Number Endings
IFETEL will continue suspending non-compliant numbers by final digit on rolling deadlines. Numbers ending in 3 are first on 30 September. Numbers ending in other digits face suspension on future announced dates. If you have a Mexican SIM with a different last digit, register it now to avoid the same issue later.
Planning a Longer Trip
For travellers spending more than a few weeks in Mexico, our practical travel guide for Mexico covers budgeting, connectivity, and transport in more detail. Those working remotely from cities like Mexico City, Oaxaca, or Playa del Carmen will find useful local tips in our digital nomad guide.
Connectivity across Mexico has improved substantially in recent years. Even in smaller towns and some beach communities off the main tourist corridors, Telcel typically provides a workable 4G signal.
Source: IFETEL official communications and Mexperience reporting, September 2026.