What is an eSIM?

As you’re planning your next trip abroad and thinking about the logistics of staying connected, you’ve probably heard the term eSIM being mentioned.

A convenient way to access the internet from your mobile device, the eSIM option has grown in popularity over the years, with many people now choosing it instead of incurring roaming charges, signing up for travel plans through their home providers, or getting a physical SIM card at their destination.

But what is an eSIM? And how does an eSIM work?

In this article, we answer these questions and more to give you all the information you need to choose the best connectivity option so you can have internet while you travel.

Guide: How To Get A Free Gigsky eSIM With Visa - beach-with-phone

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM (which stands for embedded subscriber identity module) is a digital SIM card that’s built into most modern phones. It works like a physical SIM card, but without having to insert anything into your device. eSIMs offer tons of benefits, such as helping you avoid roaming fees and making it easy to switch between providers.

eSIMs (and physical SIM cards) let you access data networks so that you can connect to the internet in destinations around the world, letting your check your email, your banking information, your travel details, your favourite apps, and more.

eSIMs are available for compatible smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, and you can conveniently purchase them wherever you are and whenever you want since they’re sold online by reputable vendors like Saily, Airalo, and Holafly.

What’s the Difference Between an eSIM vs a Physical SIM Card?

Now, you may be wondering: what’s the difference between an eSIM vs a physical SIM card?

An eSIM and a physical SIM card offer essentially the same features, but an eSIM is entirely digital and a physical SIM is a tangible item that you need to purchase from a local shop or service provider.

A physical SIM card is a small microchip embedded in a plastic case that is physically inserted into your connected device (i.e., your cell phone and tablet).

Comparatively, an eSIM is entirely digital and is installed onto your eSIM-compatible device similarly to how you would add a new app. An eSIM can be easily purchased online and then installed within minutes.

ExclusiveCompare

National Bank World Elite^® Mastercard^®

National Bank NBC RewardsFirst-Year Annual Fee Rebate

Annual fee: $0 $150No annual fee the first year; No annual fee the first year
Our valuation: $150Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: First Year Annual Fee Rebate; $150 annual fee rebated; Ends Nov 4, 2026

With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.

Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.

With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:

5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
2 points per dollar on recurring bills
2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
1 point per dollar for all other purchases

And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.

With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:

Airport parking
Baggage fees
Seat selection
Access to airport lounges
Airline ticket upgrades

What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Legal

^® Mastercard and World Elite are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. National Bank is an authorized user.

^® The À LA CARTE REWARDS logo is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA LOUNGE is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® À LA CARTE REWARDS PLAN is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® Apple Pay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Inc. is not a sponsor of or participant in National Bank Mobile Banking Solutions.

^® Google Pay is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Inc. Permissions.

^TM À LA CARTE TRAVEL is a trademark of National Bank of Canada. The À la carte Travel agency is owned by Transat Distribution Canada Inc. and holds a Quebec permit (No. 753141).

^TM À LA CARTE REWARDS is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.

^® THE TOTAL, THE CONNECTED and NATIONAL BANK are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.

* Mastercard^® World Elite^®

The National Bank^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card was voted best Mastercard credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.

The National Bank^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card was voted best travel credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.

Every year, Milesopedia reviews credit card offers from major financial institutions and establishes its Ranking based on over 150 criteria such as fees, welcome offer, minimum income required, number of points per category, account credits, insurance, airport lounge access, etc.

Certain restrictions apply. For more information, see the Rewards Plan section or the Plan Rules applicable to point accumulation.
Grace period:
No interest is charged on purchases made during the month if the cardholder pays the full balance of their account within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances and balance transfers. Minimum payment: if your account balance is less than $10, you must pay the balance in full. If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment is 5% of your account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. If you reside outside Quebec, your minimum payment is 2.5% of the credit card account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. Account statement: an account statement is sent monthly.
Table of examples of credit fees calculated over a 30-day period

Annual interest rate $500 $3,000

22.49% $9.24 $55.45

20.99% $8.63 $51.76

13.2% $5.53 $33.16

9.2% $3.78 $22.68

*Variable interest rate in effect as of September 1, 2021.
Balance transfers and cash advances are subject to National Bank credit approval. Each amount transferred cannot be less than $250.
Exclusive to World Elite Mastercard cardholders. Presentation of the physical credit card and boarding pass is required to access the lounge.
The National Bank^® Lounge is accessible to customers traveling on international flights only (excluding flights to Canada and the United States).
You benefit from free and unlimited access with one guest and two children aged 12 and under.
Until October 4, 2026 (date subject to change), customers can enter the National Bank Lounge three hours before their flight departure time. From October 5, 2026 (date subject to change), access will be authorized for a maximum duration of 2 hours (3 hours for customers who hold a Private Banking 1859^® World Elite^® Mastercard^® credit card).
National Bank customers who are not World Elite ^® Mastercard ^® cardholders can also access the current lounge based on current rates and benefit from a 25 % discount on these rates :
63,24 $ taxes included for adults (excluding discount)
$40.24 taxes included for children aged 2 to 12 (excluding discount)
free for children under 2 (excluding discount)
The entry fee is subject to change without notice and is the responsibility of the lounge operator.
Subject to providing the required supporting documents in the manner and within the prescribed timeframe. Certain conditions may apply. Only the primary cardholder of a National Bank World Elite Mastercard (Cardholder) whose account is in good standing can request a « Travel Fee Reimbursement ». « Account in good standing » means an account linked to the credit card that does not violate the Credit Card Agreement in any way and on which no restrictions apply. For example, and without limitation, the associated annual fees must have been paid in full. The maximum reimbursement of $150 can be requested from January 1 to December 31 of each year.
Eligible expenses are:
airport parking
baggage fees
seat selection
airport lounge access worldwide
airline ticket upgrades
A reimbursement request must be made within 60 days of the purchase date. Travel expenses must be charged to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card account. The maximum reimbursement of $150 is applicable per account. Please allow up to 7 business days for the reimbursement to be processed from the date your request is submitted. National Bank reserves the right to request additional supporting documents for validation purposes (e.g., invoices). You must keep all receipts and supporting documents for a period of 12 months from the date you made your reimbursement request. An unused reimbursement in one year cannot be carried over to the next year. You can make your request online at rewards.nbc.ca or by calling 1-800-341-8083 (toll-free) for an agent to assist you with your travel fee reimbursement request.
Point accumulation on grocery and restaurant spending depends on the total gross monthly amount charged to the credit card account, across all categories. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases. The 5 points per dollar accumulation is valid for the first $2,500 of gross monthly purchases charged to the account. Beyond this amount, eligible grocery and restaurant spending will earn 2 points per dollar. The calculation of the gross monthly purchase amount is based on monthly billing. A grocery purchase means a purchase made at a merchant whose primary business is selling food, such as a grocery store, delicatessen, supermarket, fruit store, or specialty food store. Meal kit subscriptions and meal delivery services are eligible. Therefore, this definition excludes, among others, retail stores and big-box stores whose primary business is selling non-food items. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. A restaurant purchase means a purchase made at a restaurant, including quick-service restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs, and taverns. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan^® terms and conditions document.
These protections apply if the purchases or rental are paid for in part with the card before departure, except, if applicable, for out-of-province medical-hospital insurance for which it is not necessary to charge the purchase of an à la carte trip and for baggage delay protection where the full cost of transport must have been charged to the card. All these protections apply to the primary cardholder, their spouse and/or their dependent children when they (spouse and dependent children) travel with the cardholder. Extended warranties apply to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, provided the manufacturer’s warranty exists and is valid in Canada. Certain conditions, limitations and restrictions apply. For more information and details regarding your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.
Subject to credit approval by National Bank.
Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. See all credit card terms and conditions.
To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your gas or electric charging purchases at a gas station or certain big-box stores. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan^® terms and conditions document.
Recurring bill payments are defined as payments made monthly or regularly that are automatically charged by the merchant to your National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Not all merchants offer recurring payments, and not all recurring payments are considered recurring bill payments. Therefore, some payments may not qualify for accelerated reward points.
To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your eligible purchases through the À la carte Travel^TM agency section of our À la carte Rewards^TM site.
For example, if you spend $400 monthly on groceries, $200 on gas, $100 on recurring bills and $150 on other purchases, the $850 spent will generate 2,750 points, broken down as follows: 2,000 points for grocery spending (since the total gross monthly amount is $850, which is less than $2,500), 400 points for gas spending, 200 points for recurring bills and 150 points for other purchases.
Insurance up to $1,000 in case of breakage, loss or theft of mobile devices for a maximum period of 2 years following the date of purchase. Subject to purchasing the device with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard or a phone service subscription paid by recurring payments from your National Bank Platinum Mastercard starting September 1, 2022. For all conditions, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.

Annual interest rate	$500	$3,000
22.49%	$9.24	$55.45
20.99%	$8.63	$51.76
13.2%	$5.53	$33.16
9.2%	$3.78	$22.68

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$80,000

Household$150,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
2xTravel
2xBills & recurring payments
2xGas & EV
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$778

2nd Year Value$923

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$400

Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 60 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 31 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Trip CancellationUp to $2,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Travel AccidentIncluded

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+2 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

How Does an eSIM Work?

When considering which connectivity option to choose for your trip, you’ll likely want to know: how does an eSIM work?

Since eSIMs are entirely digital, you first purchase your eSIM online from a reputable vendor like Saily (which we reviewed here), Airalo, and Holafly.

With each of these vendors, you can choose plans for the country/region you’ll be visiting, length of time you’ll stay, and the amount of data you want.

Once you’ve completed your purchase, you will then follow the instructions to install and set-up your eSIM, similarly to how you would install and set-up a new program or app on your computer or device.

The instructions will vary slightly depending on the vendor, but generally you can expect to do the following:

Before you depart – install your eSIM using a QR code or by manually entering a few details
On the plane – make sure your regular physical SIM card is turned off (so you don’t incur roaming charges), and switch on your new eSIM
When you arrive at your destination – Turn off airplane mode and check that data roaming is turned on for your eSIM

Once you’ve switched to the new eSIM, it should automatically find the best local network, giving you instant connectivity.

What is an eSIM? - What is an eSIM cartoon image

Why Get an eSIM?

There are many reasons to choose an eSIM on your next trip:

No need to remove your everyday physical SIM card (keeping it safe)
Save money by avoiding roaming fees or the cost of a travel plan from your home provider
Safety (use online maps to navigate a new destination, call an Uber to get home, look up information)
Have access to your travel details
Enjoy uninterrupted access to your regular apps while abroad
Easy to switch between 2 or more data providers as needed
You don’t have to constantly worry about finding a Wi-Fi connection

Bottom Line

An eSIM is an easy, convenient, and cost-effective way to stay connected as you travel around the world.

Whether you’re looking for the best eSIM for Europe, or looking up the best local restaurants, ordering a taxi or Uber, or messaging with people back home, having reliable data access is invaluable.

As you sketch out your upcoming adventures, you may also want to make plans to keep your data secure and enjoy your favourite TV shows abroad by using a VPN.

FAQs

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lets you connect to data networks in the same way a physical SIM card does but without having to physically switch in a new card.

eSIMs use your eSIM-compatible devices preinstalled software to give you the same functionality as a physical SIM card.

How does an eSIM work?

An eSIM works the same way a physical SIM card does, except that instead of being a tangible « card, » it is entirely digital, using preinstalled software from your eSIM-compatible device to access mobile networks in your selected destination(s).

To use an eSIM, you simply need to purchase one from a reputable vendor, install it on your device, and activate it when you begin your trip.

How do I know if my device is eSIM compatible?

You can check to see if your device is eSIM compatible by looking for eSIM settings within your devices settings menu or by looking up the manufacturer’s information online.

Alternatively, most eSIM vendors have a list of compatible devices on their website, so you can confirm compatibility there as well.

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuation: $350Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card ^+* Card^MC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Legal

* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.