International Call Forwarding: The Complete Guide

International call forwarding lets you receive calls from one country on a phone in another country. Whether you're traveling, relocating, or running a global business, understanding how it works can save you hundreds of dollars and countless headaches.

What Is International Call Forwarding?

International call forwarding routes incoming calls from a phone number in one country to a phone in a different country.

Example: You have a US number (+1 415 555 0123). You're in Thailand. Someone calls your US number, and it rings on your Thai phone.

The caller pays nothing extra—they're just calling a US number. You receive the call wherever you are in the world.

How It Works

Traditional Carrier Forwarding

Your mobile carrier can forward calls internationally, but:

1. Caller dials your number
2. Call reaches your carrier's network
3. Carrier forwards to international number
4. You pay international forwarding rates (often $1-3/minute)

Cost example: 30-minute call forwarded to Thailand = $30-90

VoIP Call Forwarding

Virtual numbers use internet-based forwarding:

1. Caller dials your virtual number
2. Call reaches VoIP provider's servers
3. Call routes over internet to your device
4. You pay VoIP rates (often $0.01-0.10/minute)

Cost example: 30-minute call forwarded to Thailand = $0.30-3.00

The difference is dramatic—up to 97% savings.

Carrier vs VoIP Comparison

Setting Up International Forwarding

Option 1: Carrier Forwarding (Expensive)

Contact your carrier to enable international forwarding:

• AT&T: Call *72 + international number
• Verizon: My Verizon app or call customer service
• T-Mobile: Dial #21# + number

Warning: Check rates first! Carriers charge premium rates for international forwarding.

Option 2: Virtual Number (Recommended)

1. Sign up for a virtual number service
2. Choose a number in your desired country
3. Set forwarding destination to any phone worldwide
4. Receive calls from anywhere

With Conduit:

1. Create account at conduitphone.com
2. Select US, UK, or other country number
3. Enter your current phone number as forwarding destination
4. Done—calls forward automatically

Cost Breakdown by Country

Forwarding TO These Countries (per minute)

Monthly Cost Comparison

Assuming 200 minutes of forwarded calls:

Best Practices

1. Test Before Relying On It

Before traveling, test your forwarding setup:

• Call from a different phone
• Verify caller ID displays correctly
• Check audio quality
• Confirm voicemail works if unreachable

2. Have a Backup Plan

Internet-based forwarding requires connectivity:

• Download offline voicemail app
• Set up email notifications for missed calls
• Configure fallback to voicemail after X rings

3. Consider Time Zones

If forwarding to a different time zone:

• Set up time-based rules (business hours only)
• Configure do-not-disturb periods
• Use voicemail for off-hours calls

4. Monitor Your Usage

Track minutes to avoid surprise charges:

• Set up usage alerts
• Review monthly statements
• Adjust plan if needed

Common Issues and Solutions

"Calls Go Straight to Voicemail"

Causes:

• Forwarding number unreachable
• Internet connection issues
• Do-not-disturb enabled

Fixes:

• Verify forwarding number is correct
• Check internet connectivity
• Disable DND or add exceptions

"Caller ID Shows Wrong Number"

Causes:

• Some carriers don't pass through caller ID internationally
• VoIP provider settings

Fixes:

• Check provider caller ID settings
• Some numbers may show as "Unknown"—this is normal internationally

"Poor Call Quality"

Causes:

• Slow internet connection
• Network congestion
• Long routing distance

Fixes:

• Use WiFi instead of cellular data
• Minimum 1 Mbps recommended
• Try different times of day

"Calls Not Forwarding at All"

Causes:

• Forwarding not enabled
• Wrong destination number format
• Account issues

Fixes:

• Verify forwarding is toggled on
• Use full international format (+1, +44, etc.)
• Check account status/billing

Business Use Cases

Remote Teams

• Employees in different countries share local numbers
• Customers always reach someone during business hours
• No expensive international direct lines

International Expansion

• Get local numbers in new markets
• Forward to your existing team
• Test demand before opening offices

Traveling Executives

• Keep home office number accessible
• Never miss important client calls
• Maintain professional presence

Personal Use Cases

Digital Nomads

• Keep US/UK number active worldwide
• Receive verification codes
• Stay connected with home country

Expats

• Maintain number for family to call
• Keep services that require home country number
• Gradual transition when relocating

Extended Travel

• Avoid expensive roaming
• Keep regular number active
• Forward to local SIM

Getting Started with Conduit

Conduit makes international forwarding simple:

1. Choose your number - US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland
2. Set your destination - Any phone number worldwide
3. Start receiving calls - from anywhere

No contracts. No hidden fees. Change your forwarding destination anytime.

Pricing:

• Starter: $12.99/mo (100 included minutes)
• Pro: $29.99/mo (500 included minutes)
• Business: $59.99/mo (unlimited minutes)

Get your international number →

Questions about international forwarding? Contact us or check the FAQ.