Are you planning a trip to Abu Dhabi? If so, you are probably going to want to use your favorite messaging services to be in touch with your family back home and around the globe.
Unfortunately, if you want to use WhatsApp video or WhatsApp calling in the UAE, the UAE government might make this a bit difficult.
The UAE’s internet blocking practices are hard to circumvent, making it difficult for users to gain access to the VoIP services they have come to rely on in other parts of the world.
Thankfully, using a VPN service, you will be able to WhatsApp call even in regions in which you will find WhatsApp calling banned, like Dubai.
Keep reading to find out
In a hurry? Here are 5 best VPNs for WhatsApp calling in UAE Here are the top 5 VPNs to help you with WhatsApp calling in UAE:
Surfshark
● Best budget VPN with premium features
PIA
● Best for advanced users
Do WhatsApp calls work in UAE? Unfortunately, without a reputable VPN, you will not be able to get your WhatsApp calls to work in the UAE.
If you use a VPN from our list, though, you can connect to a VPN server in a location that permits WhatsApp calls, which will allow you to make WhatsApp calls even from the United Arab Emirates.
How to unblock WhatsApp calling in UAE
If you are looking to unblock WhatsApp calling from the UAE, follow these steps:
Choose one of the VPNs from our list and subscribe. We highly recommend trying ExpressVPN .
Download the VPN app corresponding to your device and follow the installation steps.
Sign in to your VPN account and connect to a VPN server in a location of your choice, like the US. Keep in mind that the closer the server is to your actual location, the lower your latency will be.
Open the WhatsApp app and make a call.
5 best VPNs for WhatsApp calling in UAE If you are looking for the best VPN for WhatsApp calling, here are the best services for VPN users in the UAE:
Servers/countries: 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
Simultaneous devices: Up to 8
Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more
Get ExpressVPN with 49% OFF
+ 3 months FREE!
If you want to unblock WhatsApp calling in UAE, ExpressVPN is a great VPN provider to choose.
ExpressVPN has a widespread global server network of over 3,000 VPN servers spread across almost 100 countries.
ExpressVPN encrypts your internet traffic with 256-bit encryption and offers a Kill Switch, a strict no-logging policy, split tunneling, and leak protection.
As far as speed is concerned, this VPN consistently comes out number one in all of our tests.
You can contact the VPN’s support team 24/7 via live chat for any troubleshooting issues that may arise, and even use this live-chat service to cancel your plan within 30 days for a full refund, if you choose.
Pros
Unlimited bandwidth Global server network 30-day money-back guarantee 8 connected devices Fastest speeds Servers/countries: 6,400+ servers in 111 countries
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
Simultaneous devices: 10
Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more
Get NordVPN with 72% OFF
+ 4 months FREE!
NordVPN is a reliable service that will help you unblock WhatsApp calls in the United Arab Emirates easily.
In terms of online privacy, this provider offers 256-bit encryption, a Kill Switch, a strict no-logging policy, and a built-in ad blocker . It also offers obfuscated servers so users can appear to be online without a VPN.
In terms of speed, NordVPN is at the top, so you will never have to worry about getting a fast connection.
NordVPN has over 6,400 servers in 111 countries, and can also help users unblock popular geo-restricted streaming services, like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.
You can subscribe to NordVPN for a cheaper price than ExpressVPN and cancel at any point within the first 30 days for a full refund, if you choose.
Pros
30-day money-back guarantee 10 simultaneous connections Fast speeds 24/7 live-chat support Cons
Desktop apps can be glitchy Servers/countries: 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
Simultaneous devices: Unlimited
Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more
Get Surfshark with 83% OFF
+ 4 months FREE!
To unblock WhatsApp calling on a tight budget, internet users will love Surfshark .
Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers spread across 95+ countries and offers apps compatible with your Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, Linux, Amazon Fire, and browser extensions.
One of the most useful features of this VPN is that it allows users to connect as many devices as they choose to a single user account.
If you are looking to use WhatsApp in UAE, this VPN can handle your video chats or voice calls, and you will never find that your data is capped or your bandwidth is throttled when using Surfshark.
Surfshark offers 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, a no-logs policy, double VPN, a Kill Switch, and camouflage mode to hide your VPN traffic and make it look like typical web traffic.
You can try Surfshark for up to 30 days, risk-free, and cancel at any time by simply contacting customer service via live chat.
Pros
Affordable price 24/7 live-chat support 30-day money-back guarantee Unlimited device connections Cons
Some buffering Some server inconsistency Servers/countries: 11,500+ in 100 countries
Money-back guarantee: 45 days
Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
Simultaneous devices: 7
Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more
Get Cyberghost with 84% OFF
+ 4 months FREE!
CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN that is great at helping access WhatsApp from Dubai.
This VPN offers users access to more than 11,500 servers in over 90 countries, so you will have your pick of countries to which to connect that are close in proximity to the UAE for the best speeds.
CyberGhost has overall good speeds for supporting free calls on WhatsApp, as well as for video calling, streaming content, or gaming, and it allows users unlimited bandwidth and no caps on data usage.
In terms of online protection, CyberGhost offers a Kill Switch, DNS and IP leak protection, 256-bit encryption, and a strict no-logs policy .
CyberGhost lets users test a plan for 45 days with a full refund guarantee, so there are no strings attached if you sign up today.
Pros
7 simultaneous connections Servers in 90+ countries 45-day money-back guarantee User-friendly apps Cons
Can’t access certain streaming platforms Apps not as customizable Servers/countries: 30,000+ servers in 91 countries
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge, Opera
Simultaneous devices: Unlimited
Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more
Get PIA with 83% OFF
+ 4 months FREE!
PIA has a huge network of almost 30,000 servers in more than 91 countries worldwide.
While PIA has a strict no-logs policy, AES 256-bit encryption, and other top security and privacy policies, it is based in the USA, which is a member of the 5-Eyes Alliance.
This is a red flag to some users who want to ensure that their traffic in the UAE on WhatsApp is never passed on to other countries in the Alliance.
PIA allows users to connect unlimited number of devices simultaneously to a single user account, and you can test it for 30 days with a refund guarantee, so if this jurisdiction is not of concern to you, it might be a good choice.
Pros
30-day money-back guarantee Over 30,000 servers 10 device connections AES 256-bit encryption How to choose the best VPN for WhatsApp call in UAE If you are trying to unblock WhatsApp calling in UAE using a VPN service, you first have to keep in mind that many VPNs will not have adequate privacy and security features to keep you protected while WhatsApp calling from this blocked location.
Here are some of the important criteria we sought when researching VPN services for WhatsApp calling in the UAE:
No-logging policy. To bypass restrictions on VoIP calls in the UAE safely, you will want to make sure that your VPN is not logging your activity that could hurt you later.
Good security. Make sure your VPN has the adequate security features, like military-grade encryption and a Kill Switch, so you are protected even if your encrypted VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
Great customer support. Use a VPN service that provides round-the-clock live-chat support in case you have any pressing issues while WhatsApp calling or otherwise using your VPN service.
Fast speed. Some VPNs do not have adequate speeds to make audio or video calls on WhatsApp.
Server reach. In order to access blocked VoIP services like WhatsApp, use a VPN that has servers in regions where you can access WhatsApp. ExpressVPN has a network of servers in more than 94 countries.
Guarantee. Choose a VPN provider that offers a money-back guarantee, so you can try out your WhatsApp video calls before being locked into a long-term plan.
Obfuscation . Choose a VPN that offers obfuscated servers so it appears that you are surfing the web without a VPN even when you are connected to your VPN’s server.
Compatibility and usability . Make sure your VPN has apps compatible with whichever device you want to use for your WhatsApp voice calls, whether it be your Android, iOS, or other device.
Can I use a free VPN for WhatsApp calls in UAE? While it may sound tempting to try to unblock WhatsApp calling using a free VPN, we tend to discourage users from wasting their time using free VPNs entirely.
To begin, there is a very small chance that any free VPN providers will succeed at unblocking WhatsApp at all.
Free services often have very few servers, forcing free users onto overcrowded servers, causing slow speeds and call drops. A free service is also more likely to go against the UAE government pressure, since it won’t have the funding to do this.
In terms of online security, free services are a no-no. Many free VPN services that are found even on Google Play contain malware, or may be lacking the protections against DNS leaks. This could expose your identity and your traffic inadvertently, or you may even find that your private info is being sold for a profit to third parties.
For the best results, we recommend using a reputable paid VPN (like one of the VPNs on our list above) when accessing VoIP services from the UAE.
Other countries that block WhatsApp Some of the countries that are known to block WhatsApp service are:
China
Ethiopia
Turkey
Jordan
Brazil
Saudi Arabia
Uganda
Egypt
Bangladesh
When WhatsApp voice is used, voice calls are protected with end-to-end encryption. This means that voice calls are encrypted throughout their pathway to and from devices and will be unencrypted when they reach their recipient.
If a WhatsApp voice message is intercepted by someone who is not the recipient, it can’t be decrypted, even by WhatsApp.
This secure process should put many users at ease, but it is frowned upon by certain governments that insist on having access to traffic, leading to WhatsApp bans in the countries above.
FAQ Is it legal to use a VPN in United Arab Emirates? Yes. The UAE government has not declared VPNs to be illegal in the UAE. Remember, though, that using a VPN to perform any activities that are otherwise illegal in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE can get you into trouble!
Because of this grey area, it is important to use a VPN that offers obfuscation, so it will appear to the your internet service provider that you are just browsing the web normally without a VPN.
Is unblocking WhatsApp legal with a VPN? If you are in a country where using a VPN is illegal (which is rare), then unblocking Whatsapp with a VPN is also illegal.
If VPNs are legal in your country, using a VPN for WhatsApp access is legal, as long as you are not using it for criminal purposes.
Is WhatsApp banned in UAE Dubai? Yes. WhatsApp is currently banned in the UAE Dubai. In order to unblock WhatsApp video calling, you will need to use a VPN.
Is unblocking WhatsApp legal with a VPN? If you are in a country where using a VPN is illegal (which is rare), then unblocking Whatsapp with a VPN is also illegal.
If VPNs are legal in your country, using a VPN for WhatsApp access is legal, as long as you are not using it for criminal purposes.
Conclusion If you are looking for the best VPN to help you access WhatsApp VoIP service in the United Arab Emirates, you can’t go wrong if you choose one from our list.
Connecting to a server in a country outside the UAE, you will be able to safely and privately access your voice calls from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, despite restrictions.
Our top recommendation is ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN has servers spread across over 94 locations, so it is easy to find local servers near the UAE for the best speeds and seamless connectivity.
To test ExpressVPN for up to 30 days, risk-free, click below!