No—you do not need another Jio roaming pack just to register on a US partner network and receive SMS OTPs, because roaming stays active after expiry and incoming texts are free.
“I'm an international student in the US and my initial Jio roaming pack just expired. Do I need to buy another international roaming pack just to register on a US network and receive OTPs?”
Summary
Your expired pack did not automatically shut off the roaming service that the first pack activated. You can keep the Jio line for incoming SMS OTPs without paying for another pack; just avoid chargeable roaming use and protect the number from long-term non-use deactivation.
The result is the same—no new pack for SMS OTPs—but billing after expiry depends on whether your Jio line is prepaid or postpaid.
Keep enabled and let the phone register on a US partner network. Jio's prepaid FAQ says service remains active after pack expiry, incoming texts are free, and any chargeable use is taken from your at rates.
Keep enabled. Jio's terms say activation lasts until you expressly deactivate it; with no active pack, chargeable roaming use goes against your available credit, while Jio's general IR guidance says incoming texts are free.
Both routes assume your first pack activated roaming through first use abroad and you have not since deactivated the service.
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Watch out for
Next steps
These steps reconnect the Jio SIM for free incoming SMS while limiting charges and protecting the number long term.
After the pack expires
Confirm international roaming is still enabled
Open MyJio, tap Mobile, scroll to Int'l roaming activation under International services, and leave it enabled. If it is off, tap Activate; you do not need to purchase another pack merely because the old pack expired.
Requirements
Register on an available US partner network
Let the phone connect automatically. If it does not, go to Settings > Mobile Data (or Mobile Networks) > Network Selection, disable Automatic, and choose an available partner network. If no partner option appears, contact Jio International Roaming Support at +91 70188 99999 by WhatsApp or call it free from the Jio number.
Requirements
Once signal appears
Request the SMS OTP
Request the OTP normally. Jio states that all incoming text messages are free in international roaming, so no new pack charge is required for the incoming SMS itself.
Requirements
While no pack is active
Prevent accidental PayGo use
Keep roaming data switched off and avoid calls, outgoing texts, or data unless you accept standard IR/PayGo billing. Jio deducts chargeable use from prepaid main balance or applies it against postpaid available credit.
Before 90 days of listed non-use
Protect the prepaid number from non-use deactivation
Do not rely only on receiving OTPs. Jio's non-use list covers voice/video calls, outgoing SMS, data, and value-added services; after at least 90 continuous days without them, Jio may deactivate the number. If the main balance is more than ₹20 at that point, Jio deducts ₹20 and extends the period by 30 days; if deactivated for non-use, ₹20 paid within 15 days can reactivate it.
Requirements
Legal sources
The answer comes from Jio's International Roaming Terms & Conditions, prepaid roaming FAQs, network-selection FAQ, and Regulatory Policies page.
Jio Prepaid IR Pack & Pricing FAQ
An expired prepaid IR pack does not switch off the already-activated roaming service.
No, the service will remain active even after the expiry of IR pack . In case of usage in International Roaming (IR), you will be charged from your prepaid balance.
Jio Prepaid IR Pack & Pricing FAQ
Jio does not charge prepaid customers for incoming text messages while internationally roaming.
All incoming text messages are free in international roaming (IR).
Jio International Roaming Terms & Conditions
Roaming activation and pack validity are separate: activation persists until the customer turns it off.
International Roaming service activation
International Roaming service activation shall remain valid until expressly deactivated by the customer through the prescribed channels.
Jio International Roaming Terms & Conditions
Without an active pack, chargeable roaming services switch to standard rates rather than requiring another pack.
Terms & Conditions
If no IR pack is active, services at International Roaming location will be charged at standard IR/PayGo rates as available on Jio.com, which will be charged from main balance of prepaid customers and from AVL (available credit limit) of postpaid customers.
Jio Prepaid Network Selection FAQ
This gives the exact automatic and manual network-selection process abroad.
Your device will automatically connect to our partner networks when roaming internationally. If you face connectivity issues, manually select a network: Go to Settings > Mobile Data (or Mobile Networks) > Network Selection. Disable "Automatic" and choose from the available partner networks. If the option is not available, contact International Roaming Support on +91 70188 99999 via WhatsApp or call us (Free from your Jio number).
Jio Regulatory Policies and Notices
OTP-only receipt may not prevent the prepaid number from entering Jio's non-use process, but a balance above ₹20 triggers 30-day retention extensions.
B. Information related to deactivation due to non usage — Prepaid
In case of non-usage (no voice/video calls, outgoing SMS, data usage or usage of Value Added Services) for a continuous period of 90 days or more, the mobile number will be deactivated at the discretion of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, subjected to following; In case the available balance in your main account is more than Rs. 20 at the expiry of 90 days of non-usage period, Automatic Number Retention Scheme will be put into effect - Rs. 20 will be deducted from your account and the non-usage period will be extended by 30 days. This process will continue till the balance in your account is less than Rs. 20, post which your number will be deactivated. The Jio mobile number can be reactivated by making payment of Rs. 20 within 15 days of deactivation due to non-usage. Number will be disconnected on non-payment of said fee within this period.
These are Jio's official pages current when fetched on 2026-08-12; rules and rates can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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