Originally Posted by
Majuki
T-Mobile has (had?) a test drive option with an eSIM installation too. It might require an SSN or some other local information that would preclude a non-resident from getting the service.
No payment or credit required for the test drive. You have to sign up from a US IP address and you have to give a service address in the US but you don't have to live there--so use the airport wifi and congrats on the new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW.
The bigger hurdle is that the test drive app is only in the American App Store/Play Store, so you can't download it without switching your country. Apple requires you to add a payment method with a billing address in the 'new' country and Google makes it such a pain it's easier just to create a new account (though once you've created the alt account, you can access both countries' stores by switching).
It's so easy to buy a month of prepaid for $15 or less now that it's probably not worth the hassle for most visitors.