ipad 5th gen

Only Cellular models of iPads will have a sim card slot.

What is the model for your iPad in Settings->General->About->Model?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201337#ipad

All current models of iPad have an actual sim slot, in addition to the embedded sim card.

Hello,

Most iPad models use an eSIM which means that the SIM card is embedded on iPad’s logic board and cannot be removed or replaced.

Newer iPad models now have an eSIM card that is now part or the iPad's internal hardware.

There is no more option to physically remove a SIM card, any longer.

Sorry.

The SIM card slot is only present with the Cellular version of the iPad.

Some Cellular iPad models may also have an eSIM instead.