The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has not assigned the code +96 to any single sovereign nation. Instead, the digits +96 serve as the common prefix for an entire block of three-digit international calling codes used by countries located in the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and South Asia.
If you receive a phone call, text, or WhatsApp message starting with +96, the subsequent digit is essential for pinpointing the country of origin. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the +96 country code block, explains the full codes for each nation, and offers crucial scam prevention advice for this region.
The +96 International Calling Block
Codes starting with ‘9’ belong to the ITU’s Zone 9, which covers Western, Central, and South Asia. The +96 block is primarily used by countries in the Levant, Mesopotamia, and the Arabian Gulf.
| Full Country Code | Country or Territory | Region |
| +960 | Maldives | South Asia / Indian Ocean |
| +961 | Lebanon | Middle East / Levant |
| +962 | Jordan | Middle East / Levant |
| +963 | Syria | Middle East / Levant |
| +964 | Iraq | Middle East |
| +965 | Kuwait | Middle East / Arabian Peninsula |
| +966 | Saudi Arabia | Middle East / Arabian Peninsula |
| +967 | Yemen | Middle East / Arabian Peninsula |
| +968 | Oman | Middle East / Arabian Peninsula |
| +969 | (Discontinued/Reserved) | (Formerly South Yemen) |
How to Call Countries in the +96 Block
To successfully place an international call to any country in this block, you must use the full three-digit country code, followed by the area code (if applicable) and the local number.
The general international dialing format is:
Example Dialing Sequence (Calling Saudi Arabia, +966)
To call a number in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from the United States or Canada:
- Dial your Exit Code: 011 (for North America) or + (on a mobile phone).
- Dial the Country Code: 966 (for Saudi Arabia).
- Dial the Area Code: 11 (for Riyadh, or a mobile prefix like 5X).
- Dial the Local Number: The remaining digits.
Key Calling Codes in the +96 Block (Examples)
Most countries in this region have specific city or mobile network codes that follow the country code:
| Country | Country Code | Capital City Area Code/Mobile Prefix (Example) |
| Saudi Arabia | +966 | 11 (Riyadh Landline), 5X (Mobile) |
| Jordan | +962 | 6 (Amman Landline), 79 (Mobile) |
| Kuwait | +965 | Mobile numbers often use an 8-digit format immediately after +965. |
| Maldives | +960 | No city codes; numbers are dialed directly after +960. |
Important Scam and Fraud Warnings
Phone calls and messages originating from international codes in this block, particularly +96 numbers, have been linked to significant phone and messaging scams.
Common Scam Tactics from +96 Numbers
- Government Impersonation: Scammers often spoof these numbers to call victims and pretend to be government or police officials (e.g., Cyber Crime Police or TRAI), accusing the victim of a violation and demanding immediate payment to “clear their name.”
- One-Ring Scams (Wangiri): The phone rings once, encouraging a call-back. Since these are international calls, calling back results in high premium-rate charges being added to your phone bill.
- Job Offers/Investment Scams (WhatsApp): Calls or messages from these numbers on platforms like WhatsApp may promise easy, high-paying jobs (often part-time data entry) or guaranteed investment returns. The goal is to collect personal information or an “initial fee.”
Actionable Safety Steps:
- Never Return Calls: Do not call back any missed calls from a +96X number you do not recognize.
- Verify Authority: No legitimate government or law enforcement agency will contact you by phone or text to demand immediate payment or personal financial details to settle a case. Hang up immediately if you receive such a threat.
- Block and Report: Block the number and report the suspicious activity to your mobile carrier and local cyber crime authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the time difference for +96 code countries?
Most nations in the +96 block, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan, operate on time zones ranging from UTC+2 to UTC+4. This means they are often 7 to 9 hours ahead of the U.S. Eastern Time Zone. You must check the specific country’s time zone before calling.
Are these countries part of the same continent?
Yes, all countries in the +96 calling code block are located in Asia. Specifically, they are in the Middle East, West Asia, and South Asia regions.
Do I need a city code for mobile numbers in this region?
Generally, no. Most mobile numbers are non-geographic. You only need to dial the international exit code, the full +96X country code, the mobile network prefix (usually 1-3 digits), and the subscriber number. The country’s full national number length typically ranges from 8 to 10 digits.
