USA
USA SIM card for Indians — Mint Mobile vs. roaming
The USA is a major Indian-student and long-stay-worker destination, and the "best SIM for Indian students in the US" answer is almost always Mint Mobile — here's its actual published pricing against Indian operator roaming, so you can see the real gap before you fly or land.
Mint Mobile — the most-recommended prepaid plan
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data | Validity | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile | 5GB / month | $15/mo ≈ ₹1,280 | 5GB | Monthly (3/6/12-mo prepay tiers) | Unlimited US calls & texts |
| Mint Mobile | 6GB / month | $25/mo ≈ ₹2,135 | 6GB | Monthly (3/6/12-mo prepay tiers) | Unlimited US calls & texts |
| Mint Mobile | 15GB / month | $20/mo ≈ ₹1,710 | 15GB | Monthly (3/6/12-mo prepay tiers) | Unlimited US calls & texts |
| Mint Mobile | 17GB / month | $35/mo ≈ ₹2,990 | 17GB | Monthly (3/6/12-mo prepay tiers) | Unlimited US calls & texts |
| Mint Mobile | 23GB / month | $45/mo ≈ ₹3,845 | 23GB | Monthly (3/6/12-mo prepay tiers) | Unlimited US calls & texts |
| Mint Mobile | Unlimited | $30–40/mo ≈ ₹2,565–3,420 | Unlimited (fair-use) | Monthly (3/6/12-mo prepay tiers) | Unlimited US calls & texts |
Prices last checked October 2026, from each provider's own published rates. Operators change plans often — confirm the exact price on the provider's site or app before you buy. Pardes SIM never processes payments; you always buy directly from the provider.
Indian operator roaming packs (valid in USA)
These are Airtel's general international roaming packs for the US — Jio's and Vi's exact US roaming rates are still being confirmed, so check their apps directly for current pricing.
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data | Validity | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airtel IR | Short-trip roaming pack | ₹1,998 | 1GB | 1 day | Check current Airtel IR US pack terms |
| Airtel IR | Medium-trip roaming pack | ₹3,498 | 5GB | 8 days | Check current Airtel IR US pack terms |
| Jio / Vi | International roaming packs | Check Jio/Vi app | Varies | Varies | Check Jio/Vi app |
Prices last checked October 2026, from each provider's own published rates. Operators change plans often — confirm the exact price on the provider's site or app before you buy. Pardes SIM never processes payments; you always buy directly from the provider.
The real trade-off
For a stay of weeks or months (students, H1B/F1 workers), a monthly Mint Mobile-style plan is dramatically cheaper per GB than any roaming pack — the math only favours roaming for the first few days before you've set up a US SIM, or for a short visiting-parents trip.
USA SIM — common questions
What's the best US SIM for an Indian student on F1/H1B?
Mint Mobile is the most commonly recommended option in Indian-student guides — its entry tier runs about $15/month for 5GB, scaling up to $45/month for 23GB, all with unlimited US calls and texts. T-Mobile Prepaid, Visible and Google Fi are the next most commonly named alternatives if you need a different network's coverage.
Should I buy a US SIM before I land or after arrival?
Most student guides recommend waiting until you land, since you'll need a US billing address or at least a local pickup point for most prepaid plans, and some (like Mint) ship a physical SIM or let you activate an eSIM once you have a US number assigned. A short Indian-operator roaming pack covers the first day or two before you sort out a local SIM.
Is an Indian roaming pack ever worth it for a short US trip?
For a visiting-parents-style trip of a week or two, a Jio/Airtel/Vi international roaming pack keeping your Indian number active can be simpler than registering a new US SIM — but it's usually far more expensive per GB than a local prepaid plan like Mint Mobile. For anything beyond a couple of weeks, a local SIM is the better value.
Why do US plans list prices per month instead of per trip?
Unlike tourist SIMs in Thailand or Saudi Arabia, US prepaid plans like Mint Mobile are built for longer stays (students, long-term workers) and bill monthly, often with a 3, 6 or 12-month prepay discount. If you're only visiting for a short trip, a roaming pack or a short-term tourist eSIM is usually a better fit than a full monthly plan.