International phone numbers allow businesses to establish a local presence in other countries.
Incoming calls can be routed to any phone, PBX, or SIP destination worldwide. Users can also make outbound calls with their phone number shown as the caller ID.
To provide these numbers, Global Call Forwarding must adhere to international phone number regulations. We comply with these regulatory requirements to minimize the risk of disruption to your numbers and service.
This guide to international number ordering requirements was created to make this process as easy as possible.
Which Countries Require Documentation?
Countries around the world are becoming increasingly strict when it comes to telecommunications regulations and compliance. These regulations vary from country to country.
The following popular countries require documentation to order a number:
- Singapore
- UAE
- France
- Spain
- Germany
- Bahrain
- Austria
- Belgium
- China
- Denmark
- Hong Kong
- Thailand
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Saudi Arabia
- Turkey
- Vietnam
- Taiwan
- Poland
- Netherlands
- Finland
These are some examples of countries but it is not a complete list. For more information, please contact a Global Call Forwarding representative.
What are the Acceptable Types of Documentation?
When ordering international phone numbers, your provider may request different types of documentation. In order to make the process of number provisioning as fast as possible, we need your help gathering and providing the necessary documentation.
The most commonly requested types of documentation are proof of address, proof of ID, and a letter of intent.
These documents should be sent to our customer service department.
Acceptable Proof of Address
Acceptable Proof of Address can be one of the following:
- Utility bill (gas, electric, or fixed-line telephone bill) within the last 3 months
- Bank statement within the last 3 months of a lease/tenant agreement
In some cases, especially for geographic numbers, proof of address is required from the same city in which the number is located.
Acceptable Forms of Identification
Acceptable Forms of Identification can be one of the following:
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- National ID card
In some cases, our provider will request a selfie with the end-user holding their identification.
What if this Information is Sensitive?
We take our responsibility to safeguard your sensitive personal information very seriously. We apply technical controls when processing this data, and all our staff undergoes training on the proper handling of this data.
How Long Does it Take for Documents to be Approved?
In most cases, it can take between 3-5 business days for documentation approval.
While we do our best to activate your numbers as quickly as possible, timelines can vary depending on the country origination.
Our vendors reserve the right in their discretion to deny phone numbers or request additional information at any stage of the process.
How Can I View the Status of my Submission?
Once your documents have been approved and the order has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation with further details. You can check the status of your submission at any time by contacting our customer service team.
International Number Ordering with Global Call Forwarding
Global Call Forwarding has been a reliable global telephony provider for over 26 years. We have extensive experience navigating international telecommunications regulations and providing reliable services to multinational clients.
Let us help you navigate through compliance requirements for purchasing international phone numbers and make this process as smooth as possible.
