Chapter 11 · Topic 11.3 · Phone & Mail
US phone number for snowbirds — Google Voice, US SIM & Skype
Three proven ways to get a US phone number in Florida without a Social Security number — so you receive local calls, app verifications, and doctor callbacks at no roaming cost.
Direct answer · 60-second summary
The 60-second version
Canadian snowbirds need a US number for local calls, app 2-factor authentication, and doctor callbacks. Three options: Google Voice (free, permanent, US number, works on any smartphone — recommended); US prepaid SIM (T-Mobile, AT&T, Mint Mobile — buy at Walmart with no SSN); Skype US subscription (~$3/month, good for calling US landlines, no real SMS). Best strategy: keep your Canadian number active (for CRA, banking, provincial health) at minimum plan, and add a Google Voice US number or prepaid US SIM for Florida use. Florida area codes: 305/786 Miami-Dade · 954 Broward · 561 Palm Beach · 239 Naples/Fort Myers · 813/727 Tampa Bay · 407/321 Orlando.
Acronyms used in this guide
- VoIP — Voice over Internet Protocol (calls via internet, e.g. Google Voice)
- SIM — Subscriber Identity Module (chip in your phone that connects to a carrier)
- eSIM — Electronic SIM embedded in your phone; no physical card needed
- 2FA — Two-factor authentication (SMS code sent to your phone)
- SSN — Social Security Number (not required for prepaid US plans)
- MVNO — Mobile Virtual Network Operator (e.g. Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile towers)
Google Voice — free permanent US number
Google Voice is the most popular solution for Canadian snowbirds. It gives you a real US phone number that receives calls, SMS, and voicemail, all forwarded to your Canadian or US smartphone via the internet. The service is free for all calls and texts within the United States and Canada.
How to set it up
- You need a Google account — your existing Gmail works. Go to voice.google.com.
- From Canada before departure: use a VPN pointed to a US city to appear in the US during signup; choose your desired area code (305 for Miami, 954 for Fort Lauderdale, 561 for Palm Beach, 239 for Naples, 407 for Orlando). Once assigned, your number is permanent regardless of where you are.
- Alternatively: set up from Florida on arrival — no VPN needed once you have a US IP address.
- Download the Google Voice app (iOS/Android), link it to your existing number for verification, and you're done.
What Google Voice does and does not do
Google Voice handles calls (ring your smartphone and any other device simultaneously), SMS/text messages, voicemail with automatic transcription sent to your email, and call screening. It does NOT support 911 emergency calls reliably — always have a local SIM or landline available for emergencies. It also does not support SMS to short codes (like those used by some US banks for 2FA) — for those you need a physical US SIM.
Cost
Google Voice for personal use is completely free. Calls to the US and Canada are $0. International calls to other countries are billed per minute at low rates. No monthly fee.
US prepaid SIM — T-Mobile, AT&T, Mint Mobile
A physical US SIM gives you a real carrier number that works for all SMS including bank 2FA codes, short codes, and 911. You can buy a prepaid US SIM at any Walmart, Target, Best Buy, or directly at carrier stores — no SSN, no credit check, no US address required for prepaid plans.
Recommended carriers
- T-Mobile prepaid: $25–$50/month; best coverage in South Florida urban areas (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Tampa); T-Mobile Connect plan ($25/month, 5GB) is excellent value for moderate data users.
- Mint Mobile (T-Mobile MVNO): buy 3-month bulk plan online for ~$45–$60 total (~$15–20/month); must order online; eSIM available for compatible phones; great value for the snowbird season.
- AT&T Prepaid: $30/month (5GB) to $50/month (unlimited); strong network; SIM available at Walmart or AT&T stores.
- Verizon Prepaid / Visible: Visible brand (owned by Verizon) offers unlimited for $25/month; best rural Florida coverage; no physical stores — order online only.
eSIM for dual-SIM phones
If your smartphone supports eSIM (iPhone 14+, Samsung Galaxy S23+, Google Pixel 7+), you can add a US eSIM digitally without removing your Canadian SIM. This lets you run both your Canadian number and your US number simultaneously — ideal for snowbirds who want to keep their Canadian number fully active.
Skype US subscription
Skype offers a US phone number for approximately $3–$5 USD per month. It works well for calling US landlines and mobile phones, but it is not a "real" carrier number for SMS verification purposes. Most US banks, pharmacies, and government portals that require SMS 2FA will NOT send codes to a Skype number. Use Skype for voice calls only, not as your primary US number for app verifications.
Keep your Canadian number active
Do not port (transfer) your Canadian phone number to a US carrier. Your Canadian number is tied to your CRA account, provincial health card, Canadian bank SMS alerts, and many other critical services. Losing it creates administrative headaches when you return to Canada.
Instead, reduce your Canadian plan to the cheapest available option during the snowbird season (many carriers offer seasonal pause or reduction plans for ~$15–25/month) and use your US number for day-to-day Florida communications. Rogers, Bell, and Telus all offer plan suspensions of 30–90 days at reduced rates.
Florida area codes reference
When choosing a Google Voice number, pick an area code matching your Florida location for a local appearance to Florida contacts:
- 305 / 786 — Miami-Dade County
- 954 — Broward County (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood)
- 561 — Palm Beach County (Boca Raton, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach)
- 239 — Lee and Collier counties (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples)
- 813 / 727 — Tampa Bay area (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater)
- 407 / 321 — Orlando metro and Space Coast
- 386 — Daytona Beach, Ocala area
- 904 — Jacksonville
Sources
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Disclaimer — Educational purpose only
This guide is for educational purposes only. Figures, rules, and procedures are drawn from public sources as of the date shown and may change without notice.
For any concrete decision, consult a licensed professional in the relevant jurisdiction — attorney, accountant, insurance broker.