When applying for international DID numbers, compliance requirements vary significantly across countries. This guide compiles the KYC (Know Your Customer) document checklists for 15 major countries, helping enterprises prepare thoroughly before applying and avoid rejections due to incomplete documentation.
This reference covers required documents, typical processing timelines, difficulty ratings, and special considerations for each country. Data is based on Cainiao Voice's operational experience and is continuously updated.
15-Country KYC Reference Table
| Country | Number Type | Required Documents | Timeline | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Local/Toll-Free | 1) Company registration 2) Representative ID 3) US address (some numbers) 4) Usage declaration | 1-3 days | Low | No US company required; overseas enterprises welcome |
| United Kingdom | Geographic/0800/03xx | 1) Company registration (Companies House or equivalent) 2) Address proof 3) Representative ID 4) Usage declaration | 1-7 days | Low | Overseas-friendly; geographic numbers need area address |
| Germany | Landline/Mobile | 1) Company registration 2) German address proof 3) Representative ID 4) Tax registration 5) Usage declaration | 3-14 days | Medium | BNetzA strict regulation; some numbers need German company |
| France | Landline/Mobile | 1) Kbis registration 2) French address proof 3) Representative ID 4) SIRET number 5) Usage declaration | 5-14 days | Medium | ARCEP regulated; documents need French translation |
| Singapore | Landline 6xxx/Mobile 8-9xxx | 1) ACRA registration 2) Director ID 3) SG address proof 4) Usage declaration | 3-7 days | Low | IMDA regulated; no local company needed via provider |
| Hong Kong | Landline 2xxx/Mobile 5-9xxx | 1) BR copy 2) CI copy 3) Director ID 4) HK address proof 5) Usage declaration | 1-3 days | Low | OFCA regulated; overseas enterprises can apply via provider |
| Malaysia | Landline 03/07xx | 1) SSM registration 2) Director ID 3) MY address proof 4) Usage declaration | 5-14 days | Medium | MCMC regulated; some numbers need local company |
| Philippines | Landline 02/Mobile 09xx | 1) SEC/DTI registration 2) NTC license or agent 3) Representative ID 4) Local address 5) Usage declaration | 5-15 days | Medium | NTC strict; recommended to use licensed provider |
| Thailand | Landline 02/Mobile 08x | 1) Company registration 2) Director ID/passport 3) Thai address proof 4) Business license 5) Usage declaration | 7-21 days | Medium | NBTC regulated; overseas companies need local agent |
| Vietnam | Landline 028 etc. | 1) Enterprise registration 2) Representative ID 3) VN address proof 4) Business license 5) Carrier authorization | 14-30 days | High | MIC strict regulation; usually requires local company |
| Indonesia | Landline 021 etc. | 1) NIB/AHU registration 2) Director ID (NPWP/KTP) 3) ID address proof 4) SK permit 5) Usage declaration | 7-21 days | Medium | BRTI regulated; some numbers need local entity |
| UAE | Landline 02/04/06 Mobile 050-058 | 1) Trade license 2) Company registration 3) Passport copy 4) Local sponsor (non-free zone) 5) Ejari lease 6) Usage declaration | 14-30 days | High | TDRA very strict; free zone companies have easier process |
| India | Landline/Mobile | 1) Enterprise PAN 2) CIN registration 3) Director KYC 4) India address proof 5) DLT registration 6) Usage declaration | 14-30 days | High | TRAI strict; DLT registration mandatory; usually needs local company |
| Japan | Landline 03 etc./Mobile | 1) Commercial registration 2) Representative ID 3) Japan address proof 4) Seal certificate 5) Usage declaration | 7-21 days | Medium | MIC regulated; Japanese translation required; formalized process |
| Australia | Landline 02/03/07/08 | 1) ACN/ABN registration 2) Director ID 3) AU address proof 4) Usage declaration | 3-10 days | Low | ACMA regulated; overseas enterprises can apply via provider |
Americas
United States
The US is one of the easiest countries for DID number applications. Overseas enterprises don't need US company registration to obtain numbers through providers. US numbers are regulated by the FCC, with number management by NANPA (North American Numbering Plan Administration).
- Local Numbers: Company registration and representative ID required; some area codes need US address proof
- Toll-Free (800/888/877/866/855/844/833): RespOrg certification required; Cainiao Voice can handle this
- Compliance: Outbound calls must comply with TCPA, requiring prior express consent and DNC registry compliance
Europe
United Kingdom
UK numbers are regulated by Ofcom with highly standardized application processes. Overseas companies can apply through providers, making the UK one of Europe's easiest countries for DID numbers. Geographic numbers require address proof for the corresponding area.
Germany
German numbers are regulated by BNetzA (Federal Network Agency) with stricter compliance than the UK. Landline numbers typically need German address proof, and some number types (e.g., 0800 toll-free) may require German company registration. Documents need German translation.
France
French numbers are regulated by ARCEP. Applications require Kbis (company registration) and SIRET number (enterprise ID). Documents need French translation. France has strict number usage regulations requiring clear purpose declarations.
Asia-Pacific
Singapore
Singapore is regulated by IMDA with an efficient, transparent application process. Through licensed providers, overseas enterprises can obtain landline numbers (6xxx) without Singapore company registration. Singapore has no area codes; all numbers are 8 digits.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is regulated by OFCA with clear KYC requirements. Through providers like Cainiao Voice, overseas enterprises can obtain HK DID numbers without HK company registration. Landline numbers (2xxx) have the fastest activation, typically 1-3 business days.
Malaysia
Malaysia is regulated by MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission). DID applications require SSM registration. Some number types (e.g., mobile numbers) may require Malaysian local company. Using a provider simplifies the process.
Philippines
The Philippines is regulated by NTC, with compliance requirements tightening since 2025. Direct NTC applications require a carrier license; using licensed providers like Cainiao Voice reduces processing from 4-8 weeks to 5-15 days.
Thailand
Thailand is regulated by NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission). Overseas companies need local agents or providers. Bangkok area numbers (02) have the highest demand. Processing takes 7-21 days.
Vietnam
Vietnam is regulated by MIC (Ministry of Information and Communications) with strict compliance, making it one of the hardest countries in this list. Local company registration is typically required. Processing takes 14-30 days.
Indonesia
Indonesia is regulated by BRTI. Applications require NIB (enterprise ID) and NPWP (tax number). Jakarta area numbers (021) are most popular. Some number types can be obtained through providers without a local entity.
Japan
Japan is regulated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The application process is formalized but somewhat cumbersome. Documents need Japanese translation, and representative identity requires seal certificate (inkan). Tokyo area numbers (03) have the highest demand.
Australia
Australia is regulated by ACMA with relatively simple applications. Using ACN/ABN, overseas enterprises can obtain numbers through providers. Australian geographic numbers are divided by state (02 NSW/ACT, 03 VIC/TAS, 07 QLD, 08 WA/SA/NT).
Middle East & South Asia
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE is regulated by TDRA with some of the world's strictest DID number requirements. Non-free zone companies need a UAE national sponsor; free zone companies (DMCC, JAFZA, etc.) have easier processes. Processing takes 14-30 days. See our dedicated UAE Voice Termination Guide.
India
India is regulated by TRAI with mandatory DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) registration -- a unique Indian compliance requirement. Enterprise PAN (Permanent Account Number) and CIN (Corporate Identity Number) are mandatory. India has strict whitelist requirements for outbound calling. Processing takes 14-30 days.
Tips for Faster Approval
- Document Pre-Review: Have Cainiao Voice's compliance team pre-review all documents before submission to ensure completeness and validity
- Certified Translation: Use certified translation agencies for documents requiring translation (Japan, Germany, France, etc.)
- Provider-Assisted Application: Use a licensed provider's pre-allocated number pool and expedited channels
- Phased Deployment: Start with lower-compliance countries (US, UK, HK) to build compliance history before tackling harder countries
- Address Proof Preparation: Prepare area-specific address proofs in advance for countries requiring geographic address matching
- Annual Updates: Some countries require annual KYC updates; prepare renewal documents in advance to avoid number suspension
Common Rejection Reasons
| Rejection Reason | Frequency | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Incomplete or expired documents | ~40% | Thoroughly check completeness and validity before submission |
| Address proof not in number area | ~25% | Ensure address proof matches number area, or choose non-geographic numbers |
| Company documents inconsistent with applicant | ~15% | Ensure consistent company name, address across all documents |
| Unclear usage declaration | ~10% | Provide detailed number usage, expected traffic, and business scenarios |
| Missing sponsor/authorization documents | ~10% | Prepare sponsor documents in advance, or register in free zones |
Professional Tip: When applying through Cainiao Voice, our compliance team pre-reviews documents before submission, dramatically reducing rejection rates. Cainiao Voice's first-pass approval rate exceeds 95%, significantly higher than the 60-70% typical of self-filed applications. We also offer expedited channel services that can reduce processing times by 50%+ in some countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which countries are easiest for DID number applications?
A: The US, UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore are simplest. The US requires no local company; UK and HK have standardized KYC; Singapore is efficient through providers. Activation: 1-7 business days for these countries.
Q: What are the most common rejection reasons?
A: Incomplete/expired documents (40%), wrong area address proof (25%), inconsistent company information (15%), unclear usage declaration (10%), missing sponsor documents (10%). Complete, consistent documentation is the key.
Q: Can overseas companies apply for all countries?
A: Not all. The US, UK, HK, and Singapore welcome overseas companies. India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and UAE typically require local registration or sponsors. Cainiao Voice can help obtain numbers in most countries regardless.
Q: How to speed up approval?
A: Prepare complete documents in advance, use certified translations, apply through licensed providers with pre-screening and expedited channels, start with easy countries first, and prepare area-specific address proofs ahead of time.
Q: What compliance obligations apply after approval?
A: Never use numbers illegally, comply with local outbound calling regulations (TCPA, GDPR, etc.), periodically update KYC documents, properly deactivate unused numbers, and maintain usage records for audits. Cainiao Voice provides ongoing compliance guidance.
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