Need to call friends, family, or colleagues in another country from the United States? Verizon Wireless offers several ways to make international calls using your mobile phone. Understanding your options for verizon wireless international calling can help you choose the most cost-effective way to connect, whether you make international calls frequently or just occasionally.
Calling From the US to Other Countries
Verizon provides different methods for calling internationally from within the US:
Included Calling to Mexico & Canada
- Good News: Many current Verizon Unlimited postpaid plans (like Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, Unlimited Ultimate) and some higher-tier Prepaid plans (like Prepaid Unlimited and Unlimited Plus) include unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada as part of the standard plan features. Always check your specific plan details in My Verizon to confirm.
International Calling Plans & Add-Ons
If you frequently call countries other than Mexico and Canada, adding an international long-distance plan to your line can offer significant savings compared to standard per-minute rates. Common options include:
- Global Calling (~$5/month per line): This basic add-on primarily provides discounted per-minute rates to over 220 countries worldwide (rates start as low as $0.05/minute for some destinations). It also typically includes unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada, though this might be redundant if your base plan already includes it.
- Global Calling Plus (~$15/month per line): Offers unlimited calling from the US to landline numbers in over 60 countries and mobile numbers in over 30 countries. It also provides discounted rates for calls to over 160 additional countries. This is a good option if you make many calls to the included unlimited countries.
- Global Choice (~$10/month per line, per country): Allows you to select one specific country from a list of over 140 options. You receive a monthly allowance of minutes (e.g., 60-300 minutes, depending on the chosen country) to call that specific destination. If you exceed the allowance, discounted rates apply to that country. Discounted rates also apply to calls to 220+ other countries. This is ideal if most of your international calls go to one particular country.
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Pay-Per-Minute Rates
- Default Option: If you do not have an international calling plan or add-on active on your line, you can still make international calls, but you will be charged Verizon’s standard pay-per-minute rates.
- Cost: These rates vary significantly depending on the country you are calling and can be quite expensive ($1.00-$3.00+ per minute is not uncommon for many destinations).
- Check Rates: Before making calls without a plan, it’s highly recommended to check the specific pay-per-minute rate for the country you intend to call on the Verizon international calling section of their website.
International Texting From the US
- Most Verizon Unlimited postpaid and prepaid plans include unlimited text messaging (SMS & MMS) from the US to mobile numbers in over 200 countries at no extra charge.
How to Make International Calls From the US
Dialing internationally usually requires specific prefixes:
- To Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean Nations: Dial 1 + Area Code + Phone Number (just like a US long-distance call).
- To Most Other Countries: Dial 011 + Country Code + City Code (if applicable) + Phone Number.
You can find specific country codes and dialing instructions on Verizon’s website.
Managing International Calling Options
You can easily check international rates and add or remove international calling plans through your Verizon account:
- My Verizon Website: Log in and navigate to the “International” or “Plans & Services” section.
- My Verizon App: Access the international plan options usually under your plan or account settings.
- Text Message: For single-line accounts, you can often add plans by texting specific keywords (like “Global,” “Plus,” or a country name for Global Choice) to 4004.
Note: Calling While Abroad vs. Calling From the US
This article focuses on making calls from the US to other countries. If you plan to use your Verizon phone while traveling outside the US, you’ll need an international roaming plan like TravelPass (daily fee) or the International Monthly Plan ($100/month). These plans cover calls made back to the US and within the country you are visiting but may have different rates or require add-ons for calling other international destinations while abroad.
