Regulations for drones in the United Arab Emirates
Although flying a drone is permitted in the United Arab Emirates, we advise being aware of and adhering to the drone regulations listed below before doing so, according to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the country’s aviation regulatory body.
Here is the GCAA’s contact information in case you have any questions and would like to speak with them directly before your trip: drones@gcaa.gov.ae or +97 142 111 710 or 142 111 526
General Guidelines for Drone Operation in the United Arab Emirates
These are the most crucial guidelines to follow when operating a drone in the United Arab Emirates, based on our investigation and legal interpretation.
Recreational (that is, flying for enjoyment)
1. Before taking to the skies, the drone and its user must register with the GCAA. Sign up here.
2. Drones weighing five kilograms (eleven pounds) or less are only permitted to fly in the green zone,
3. which is the authorized flying area. Drone pilots who have an Emirates ID registered with the GCAA are allowed to use drones to take pictures and videos in areas that are approved by the local government and at heights that are specified, but they are not allowed to use any devices that record images or videos while operating the drone. To find out where you can and cannot use a drone to take pictures or record videos, use the UAE My Drone Hub app, which is accessible through the iTunes and Android app stores.
4. Drones must fly within line of sight and no higher than 122 meters (400 feet) above the ground; they cannot be fitted with drop or release mechanisms.
5. Drones are only allowed to fly during the day and in favorable weather; they are not allowed to fly close to either private or public property.
6. Drones are now allowed to fly in controlled areas or within 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of the outer fence of UAE airports, heliports, helicopter landing sites, and airfields.
7. During flight, a direct radio control link between the drone and its pilot must be maintained.
8. Pilots of drones must steer clear of objects, people, and other manned and unmanned aircraft.
9. Users of drones are not allowed to harass, threaten, or cause property damage.
10. When a drone pilot plans to resell their drone or drones, they must notify the GCAA via the GCAA website.
11. The pilot must notify the GCAA of any drone mishap or loss of control right away by calling the hotline at +971506414667 and sending an email to aai@gcaa.gov.ae.
12. Drone operators who weigh more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds) must be at least 21 years old.
Dubai Drone camera Laws 2025
One of the UAE’s emirates is Dubai. Anyone who wants to fly a drone in Dubai must abide by the RPAS regulations set forth by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) in addition to the GCAA’s aforementioned regulations.
To fly a drone in the UAE, you must:
- Enroll in a DCAA-approved training program for operators to earn RPAS certifications. Two authorized training providers are Exponent and Sanad Academy.
- Register your drone with the DCAA. At registration, the following paperwork is needed: company name and address, company trade/commercial license, RPAS name and contact information, operator’s Emirates ID, non-national passport copy with visa page, passport size photo (white background), RPAS type/model, RPAS photo, RPAS serial number, operator training certificate, insurance, tourist national ID, and tourist flight reservation. Register for DCAA in full here.
- Obtain a DCAA no objection certificate. Click here to apply.
- Steer clear of collisions with other aircraft, people, and objects.
- Do not threaten to harm property, harass, or put others in danger.
- Avoid flying your drone over crowded places or over private or public property.
- Avoid flying your drone over, close to, or near airports.
- Avoid flying in no-fly areas. To find out where you can and cannot fly your drone, use the UAE Drone Fly Zone Map app, which is accessible through the iTunes and Android app stores.
Are you aware of any drone regulations in the United Arab Emirates that we are not? Contact us by email at support[at]uavcoach[dot]com. Although we try our best to keep this page current for drone pilots and are not international aviation attorneys, the truth is that drone regulations in the United Arab Emirates can change throughout the year and that it can be challenging to keep track of them due to the rapid growth of the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industry and the responses of governments. Please get in touch to let us know if there is anything we missed.