+97 International Calling- Which Country Is It?
What Country Has the +97 Dialing Code?
The +97 prefix doesn't belong to a single country. It's shared across multiple nations, each with its own specific code. The most commonly referenced is +971 for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Here's the full breakdown of countries using the +97 range:
- +970 β Palestine
- +971 β United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- +972 β Israel
- +973 β Bahrain
- +974 β Qatar
- +975 β Bhutan
- +976 β Mongolia
- +977 β Nepal
If someone gave you +97 without the third digit, ask them for the complete code. Without it, you can't determine which country you're actually calling.
The UAE (+971) β The Most Common +97 Country
The UAE dominates conversations about +97 because Dubai and Abu Dhabi are major business and tourism hubs. Millions of expats live and work there, so international calls to the Emirates are constant.
The UAE's economy runs on oil, real estate, finance, and tourism. It's home to over 200 nationalities. If you're calling someone there, chances are they're a business contact, family member, or colleague in Dubai.
UAE Area Codes You Should Know
Once you have +971, you need the area code for the specific emirate:
- +971 2 β Abu Dhabi
- +971 4 β Dubai
- +971 6 β Sharjah, Ajman, and surrounding areas
- +971 7 β Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain
Skip the area code and you'll reach a central exchange. That's rarely useful.
Other Countries Starting with +97
Here's a quick comparison if you're trying to figure out which country matches your call:
| Country Code | Country | Region | Primary Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| +970 | Palestine | Middle East | Arabic, Hebrew |
| +971 | United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Arabic, English |
| +972 | Israel | Middle East | Hebrew, Arabic, English |
| +973 | Bahrain | Middle East | Arabic, English |
| +974 | Qatar | Middle East | Arabic, English |
| +975 | Bhutan | South Asia | Dzongkha, English |
| +976 | Mongolia | East Asia | Mongolian |
| +977 | Nepal | South Asia | Nepali, English |
Most of these countries are in the Middle East. Bhutan, Mongolia, and Nepal are the outliers geographically.
How to Call a +97 Country
The process is the same for any country code. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Dial Your Exit Code
This depends on where you're calling from:
- USA/Canada: 011
- UK: 00
- Australia: 0011
- India: 00
Step 2: Dial the Country Code
Enter the full country code. Remember, +97 alone isn't enoughβyou need the third digit.
Step 3: Dial the Local Number
Most UAE numbers are 9 digits after the area code. Dubai numbers look like +971 4 XXX XXXX.
Example call from the USA to Dubai:
011 + 971 + 4 + XXX XXXX
Common Mistakes When Dialing +97
These errors waste time and money:
- Dropping the + or 00 prefix β your phone won't recognize the number
- Using +97 without the complete code β you'll get nowhere
- Forgetting the area code for UAE cities β call goes to wrong emirate
- Using old codes β always verify the current international format
Can You Use WhatsApp with +97 Numbers?
Yes. WhatsApp uses phone numbers for registration, so any valid number starting with +97 works. As long as the person has the app installed and an active number, you can message them for free over WiFi.
This is usually cheaper than making a traditional call, especially for longer conversations.
Roaming Charges and +97 Countries
If you're traveling to any +97 country, check your carrier's roaming rates before you land. The UAE is notorious for expensive roaming. Most travelers grab a local SIM card at the airport.
Bahrain and Qatar have similar pricing. Nepal and Bhutan are cheaper but have less reliable coverage outside major cities.
Final Answer
+97 isn't one country. It's a range containing eight countries, with the UAE (+971) being the most called. If you need to reach someone, get the complete code from them first. Without it, you're just guessing.