Area Code 64 – Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Qaiwain

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The +971 64 area code serves the northern emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al-Qaiwain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This geographic prefix is allocated under the UAE's national numbering plan, which follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The code covers both urban centers and surrounding suburban and industrial areas. Sharjah, the third-largest emirate, is a major cultural and economic hub, while Ajman and Umm Al-Qaiwain are smaller but rapidly developing emirates. The area code is used for fixed-line PSTN services, including traditional copper lines and fiber-optic (FTTH) connections provided by the national operator, Etisalat (now e&), and du.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within the UAE, the number is dialed as 064 XXX XXX (where X represents the subscriber number). For international callers, the full international format is +971 64 XXX XXX or +971 6 4XX XXXX depending on the subscriber number length. Note that the leading '0' of the area code is dropped when dialing from abroad. When calling from a mobile phone within the UAE, the same local format applies, but if you are outside the emirate, you must still include the '0' trunk prefix (e.g., 064 XXX XXX).

Overlay Considerations and Numbering Plan

Currently, there is no overlay code for this geographic area; the 64 code is unique to these emirates. However, due to increasing demand for fixed-line services, the UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) periodically reviews numbering resources. Subscriber numbers in this area typically consist of 7 digits, making the total national significant number (NSN) 9 digits (including the leading '0'). The UAE's country code is +971, and the international dialing prefix is '00' (or '+' on mobile).

Practical Usage and Routing

Fixed-line numbers in this code are primarily used by residential customers, businesses, government offices, and educational institutions. Calls to these numbers are routed over the PSTN or VoIP networks, and the cost is determined by the caller's location and tariff plan. For businesses, having a local presence in Sharjah, Ajman, or Umm Al-Qaiwain is facilitated by this geographic number, which enhances trust and local accessibility. When dialing from abroad, ensure you use the correct exit code for your country (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries) followed by 971 and then 64 without the leading zero.

Example: To call a Sharjah landline from the UK, you would dial: 00 971 64 XXX XXX. From the US: 011 971 64 XXX XXX.