---
title: "Create an eSIM subscriber"
canonical: "https://bird.com/docs/api/reference/create-esim-subscriber"
---

# Create an eSIM subscriber

`POST /v1/esim/subscribers`

Creates or returns the subscriber associated with a contact in this workspace. A subscriber identifies the person using the service. This request does not buy an eSIM, assign a profile, or grant workspace access. It requires `email_marketing:read` and `esim:write`.

Creating this association prevents deletion of the contact, including after the assigned eSIM ends. Subscriber associations cannot currently be removed, detached, or anonymized. Releasing an eSIM does not restore contact deletion.

## Code samples

**CLI**

```sh
bird esim subscribers create --contact-id con_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg
```

Examples: [CLI](/docs/api/reference/create-esim-subscriber.cli.md) · [MCP](/docs/api/reference/create-esim-subscriber.mcp.md) · [cURL](/docs/api/reference/create-esim-subscriber.curl.md)

## Example response `200`

```json
{
  "id": "esub_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
  "contact_id": "con_01krdgeqcxet5s7t44vh8rt9mg",
  "created_at": "2026-05-20T09:14:52Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-05-25T16:42:01Z"
}
```

## Request body

- `contact_id` (string, required): Existing contact in this workspace; requires Contacts read permission.

## Response body

- `id` (string, required)
- `contact_id` (string, required)
- `created_at` (string, required)
- `updated_at` (string, required)

## Related resources

- [Should I use a Bird SDK or call the API directly?](/explained/platform/should-i-use-an-sdk-or-call-the-api-directly) (answer)
- [Build your first integration](/learn/paths/integration) (course)
- [Send your first email](/docs/get-started/send-your-first-email) (docs)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=api-basics)