Forwarding to an International Number
Forwarding to an international destination phone number is possible with a few different methods.
Written by Jeffrey Edwards
Updated at February 27th, 2024
Table of Contents
Forwarding to an international number does not work on these functions.
- User - Answering Rules
- Queue - Forward if Unanswered
- *72 prefix feature code forwarding
Other considerations:
- International calls are metered based on the location of the call
- calling rates can/will vary over time
- destination you're forwarding to may be blocked at any time
Implement the Forward
There are three ways that you can reliably forward calls to an international phone number:
- Forward a phone number.
- Add a dial pad menu option to an auto attendant.
- Set up a forward on a desk phone.
Forward a Phone Number
- Navigate to the Inventory page.
- Click the phone number that you would like to forward calls for.
- Use the Treatment dropdown to select PSTN Number.
- In the PSTN Number box, type the international number.
- Click the Save button.
Use an Auto Attendant
- Navigate to the Auto Attendants page.
- In the Dial Pad Menu section, click a Dial Pad Menu number.
- When prompted to Choose a new application, select External Number.
- In the box, type the international phone number.
- Click the Save button.
Forward Calls on Your Desk Phone
✔ This is an excellent option if you are not an Office Manager (admin) scope user.
Forward Calls for a Yealink Desk Phone
1) On a Yealink phone, press the Menu button.
2) Select 2. Features, and then the 1. Call Forward option.
3) Select the type of forward.
Types of Forwards
Your Yealink phone will give you three options of forwards to configure to ensure your calls are being answered when your phone is not available to be answered in certain conditions. Setting a forward can be useful when you need your calls to be handled someone instead of having the caller leave a voicemail.
These forwards include…
- An always forward
- A busy forward
- An unanswered forward
Always Forward
When an always forward is enabled, the forward will keep being active until disabled. When an unconditional forward is enabled, any calls to your phone will be immediately forwarded to the forward's destination. When your phone should receive calls again, the always forward will need to be disabled.
✔ Setting an always forward can be useful when you need to step away from your phone for a period of time.
Busy Forward
A busy forward is a conditional forward that will only become active when your phone is busy on a call or on Do Not Disturb (DND). This type of forward can be configured and set to be enabled indefinitely.
✔ A busy forward is commonly set up to forward calls to the extension number of a coworker in the same department/role. Busy forwards also commonly route calls to the extension number of an operator or receptionist.
No Answer Forward
A no answer forward is a conditional forward that will only become active when your phone is not answered in time. This type of forward can be configured and set to be enabled indefinitely.
✔ A lot of people will have a no answer forward set to forward unanswered calls to their cellphone number.
4) Set the forward to Enabled using the left or right arrow buttons.
5) In the Forward to field, type the international phone number using the dial pad.
6) Press the Save button to finalize this forwarding.
✔ A prompt will say "Saving Config File!" and return you to the Call Forward menu.
Once the phone finishes updating its config, the forwarding rule will be set.
Note: To remove the forwarding rule, follow directions 1 through 3, but make sure to set the forward to Disabled before pressing Save.
Forward Calls for a Polycom VVX Desk Phone
1) Press More → Forward.
Quick Tip: Alternatively, press the Home 
button and select Forward.
2) Select which type of forward to configure.
Types of Forwards
Your Polycom VVX phone will give you three options of forwards to configure to ensure your calls are being answered when your phone is not available to be answered in certain conditions. Setting a forward can be useful when you need your calls to be handled someone instead of having the caller leave a voicemail.
These forwards include…
- An always forward
- A busy forward
- An unanswered forward
Always Forward
When an always forward is enabled, the forward will keep being active until disabled. When an unconditional forward is enabled, any calls to your phone will be immediately forwarded to the forward's destination. When your phone should receive calls again, the always forward will need to be disabled.
✔ Setting an always forward can be useful when you need to step away from your phone for a period of time.
Busy Forward
A busy forward is a conditional forward that will only become active when your phone is busy on a call or on Do Not Disturb (DND). This type of forward can be configured and set to be enabled indefinitely.
✔ A busy forward is commonly set up to forward calls to the extension number of a coworker in the same department/role. Busy forwards also commonly route calls to the extension number of an operator or receptionist.
No Answer Forward
A no answer forward is a conditional forward that will only become active when your phone is not answered in time. This type of forward can be configured and set to be enabled indefinitely.
✔ A lot of people will have a no answer forward set to forward unanswered calls to their cellphone number.
3) In the Contact field, type the international number to forward calls to.
4) If a No Answer forward is being configured, use the Forward After Rings field to type how many rings the phone should wait before forwarding calls.
5) Select Enable.
Forward Calls for a Poly Edge E Desk Phone
1) Press More → Forward.
Quick Tip: Alternatively, press the Home button and select 7 Forward.
2) Select which type of forward to configure.
Types of Forwards
Your Poly Edge E phone will give you three options of forwards to configure to ensure your calls are being answered when your phone is not available to be answered in certain conditions. Setting a forward can be useful when you need your calls to be handled someone instead of having the caller leave a voicemail.
These forwards include…
- An always forward
- A busy forward
- An unanswered forward
Always Forward
When an always forward is enabled, the forward will keep being active until disabled. When an unconditional forward is enabled, any calls to your phone will be immediately forwarded to the forward's destination. When your phone should receive calls again, the always forward will need to be disabled.
✔ Setting an always forward can be useful when you need to step away from your phone for a period of time.
Busy Forward
A busy forward is a conditional forward that will only become active when your phone is busy on a call or on Do Not Disturb (DND). This type of forward can be configured and set to be enabled indefinitely.
✔ A busy forward is commonly set up to forward calls to the extension number of a coworker in the same department/role. Busy forwards also commonly route calls to the extension number of an operator or receptionist.
No Answer Forward
A no answer forward is a conditional forward that will only become active when your phone is not answered in time. This type of forward can be configured and set to be enabled indefinitely.
✔ A lot of people will have a no answer forward set to forward unanswered calls to their cellphone number.
3) In the Contact field, type the international number to forward calls to.
4) If a No Answer forward is being configured, use the Forward After Rings field to type how many rings the phone should wait before forwarding calls.
5) Press the Enable softkey.