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US phone numbers for non-residents

US bank accounts, Stripe and credit cards all need a US number that reliably receives verification codes. This compares the common options on price, whether texts reach you abroad, and how long before an unpaid number is lost. Every item is checked against the carrier’s own site.

Verified 2026-11-06 Official sources Non-resident view

The short answer

Cheapest way to keep a number
Ultra Mobile PayGo

$3/mo with 100 minutes and 100 texts. The number is cancelled if you don’t pay within 60 days.

Receive codes abroad over Wi-Fi
Tello

Officially supports Wi-Fi Calling abroad, billed as if in the US. $5–8/mo; activate the eSIM in the US.

Need native roaming
US Mobile

Some plans include international roaming, or buy an add-on. The line must be used in the US first.

At a glance

OptionNetworkFromeSIMWi-Fi Calling abroadKeep-aliveLine typeSource
Ultra PayGoT-Mobile$3Not statedNot stated60 days after last paymentCarrierOfficial
TelloT-Mobile$5Yes (activate in US)Supported30 days after plan endsCarrierOfficial
US Mobile3 networksSee siteYes— (native roaming)—CarrierOfficial
Mint MobileT-MobileSee siteYesNot in China—CarrierOfficial
Google VoiceVoIPFree—In-appReclaimed if unusedVoIPOfficial

The Source column shows items checked directly on carrier sites. Apart from Mint, no carrier says whether Wi-Fi Calling works inside China, so test it yourself.

Option by option

Ultra Mobile PayGo

Pick · keep a number

A $3/mo prepaid number on the T-Mobile network

Monthly
$3
Includes
100 min · 100 texts · 100MB
Network
T-Mobile
Keep-alive
Pay within 60 days
Good
  • The cheapest real carrier number; banks generally accept carrier numbers
  • International roaming: calls and texts are paid from the wallet balance
  • Overage is 3¢ per minute and 1¢ per text
  • Auto-recharge by credit or debit card
Watch out
  • If no payment is made 60 days after the last one, the account and number are cancelled
  • No data roaming on PayGo
  • Sold on eBay or at select T-Mobile stores; the site does not mention eSIM
  • Ultra and Mint share a parent company, and Mint says Wi-Fi Calling is unavailable in China; Ultra does not say, so test it

Tello

Pick · Wi-Fi abroad

Officially supports keeping a US number while abroad

Monthly
From $5; unlimited talk & text $8
eSIM
Yes, activate in the US
Wi-Fi Calling abroad
Officially supported
Keep-alive
30 days after a plan ends
Good
  • Tello’s own guide: activate the eSIM in the US, then use Wi-Fi Calling abroad for bank texts
  • Wi-Fi Calling abroad is billed as if you were in the US
  • The eSIM can sit next to a local SIM on one phone
  • You can port in your existing number
Watch out
  • The $3/mo Park Number plan blocks texts, so codes won’t arrive
  • Pay-as-you-go credit expires 3 months after purchase; minimum top-up $20
  • An expired number cannot be recovered
  • Tello does not say whether Wi-Fi Calling works in China; test before you leave

US Mobile

Native roaming

Three networks to choose from; some plans include roaming

Monthly
See site
Roaming
Included on some plans or from $15
Activate abroad
No; use it in the US first
Top-up
100 min + 100 texts $5
Good
  • Unlimited Premium, annual Unlimited Starter and by-the-gig international plans include roaming talk and text
  • Other plans can add roaming: 1GB + 150 min + 150 texts for $15
  • Roaming receives texts on the carrier network without relying on Wi-Fi Calling
Watch out
  • The line must be used in the US first; roaming won’t work if you activate abroad
  • Costs more than the first two if you only need codes from abroad
  • Minimum price not verified here; check the site

Mint Mobile

Not for China

Cheap, but no Wi-Fi Calling in China

Network
T-Mobile
Wi-Fi Calling in China
Officially unavailable
Good
  • Good value inside the US
Watch out
  • Mint says Wi-Fi Calling is unavailable in China and North Korea, so codes that rely on it won’t arrive while you are in China

Google Voice / TextNow

Not for banks

VoIP numbers, not carrier numbers

Line type
VoIP
Bank verification
Often rejected
Good
  • Free or cheap, fine for everyday calls
Watch out
  • Many banks and fintechs don’t send codes to VoIP numbers (per third-party lists, e.g. Wells Fargo texts, Brex, Novo)
  • Google Voice reclaims numbers that go unused

Getting and keeping the number

  1. 01

    Get and activate the number while you are in the US (Tello’s eSIM and US Mobile roaming both require it).

  2. 02

    Turn on Wi-Fi Calling in your carrier account and set a US emergency (E911) address.

  3. 03

    Use the number to verify your bank, Stripe, Mercury and other accounts, and set it as your security phone.

  4. 04

    Test before you leave: turn off the US line’s cellular data, connect to Wi-Fi and have your bank send a code.

  5. 05

    Turn on auto-renew. An expired number usually can’t be recovered.

FAQ

Why not use Google Voice?

Google Voice and TextNow are VoIP numbers. Many banks and fintechs check the line type and won’t send codes to VoIP numbers or accept them as your account phone. A number on a real carrier (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon or a carrier that resells them) is the safest choice.

How do I receive codes in China?

Two ways: roaming on the carrier network (Ultra PayGo charges roaming texts to your wallet; some US Mobile plans include roaming), or Wi-Fi Calling (Tello officially supports it abroad). Mint says Wi-Fi Calling is unavailable in China; the others don’t say, so test before you leave.

Can I get a number without being in the US?

Not reliably. Tello asks you to activate the eSIM before leaving the US, and US Mobile needs domestic use before roaming works. Set it up while you are in the US, or have someone there activate it.

How long until an unpaid number is lost?

Ultra PayGo: cancelled if there is no payment 60 days after the last one. Tello: 30 days after a monthly plan ends; pay-as-you-go credit expires after 3 months plus 7 days’ grace. Neither can recover an expired number, so turn on auto-renew.

Can Tello’s $3 Park Number plan receive codes?

No. Tello says a parked number can’t make calls, send texts or use data, so verification texts won’t arrive. Use a regular plan (from $5) or pay-as-you-go instead.

Related tools

Sources

  • Ultra Mobile PayGo: https://www.ultramobile.com/paygo
  • Tello: keep your US number while abroad: https://tello.com/us_phone_number_for_abroad
  • Tello: Park Number: https://tello.com/help_center/park-number/can-i-pause-my-plan-by-parking-my-tello-number
  • Tello: number expiry: https://tello.com/help_center/account-payments/when-will-my-phone-number-expire
  • US Mobile: international coverage: https://www.usmobile.com/help/docs/international-travel/international-data-coverage-plans
  • Mint Mobile: Wi-Fi Calling: https://www.mintmobile.com/help/what-is-wifi-calling-how-do-i-enable-it/
  • Google Voice: number reclaim: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/159519

Compiled from carrier websites. Plans and prices change; check the carrier’s site. This page has no referral links.