Must eSIMs Be Registered with CURP in Mexico? Clarifying the Rules

A growing rumor on social media claims that using an eSIM circumvents the mandatory registration of a phone line with Mexico's Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP). This claim emerges following a reform to the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law, which mandates that all users link their phone lines to this official identification.

The reform, aimed at combating crimes like extortion, sets a deadline of June 30, 2026, for compliance. Failure to register by July 1 will result in the suspension of phone lines, restricting users to emergency calls (911) and disabling mobile data, SMS, and conventional outgoing calls. The rumor suggests eSIM users might avoid this suspension even without registration.

However, telecommunications authorities, including the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CTR), have clarified that all mobile phone users must register their lines, whether they use a physical SIM card or a virtual eSIM. This registration requirement applies to both Mexican citizens with a CURP and foreign nationals with a valid passport. The process typically involves a link sent by the service provider, and users are advised to verify the authenticity of these links.