Drone Laws in Dubai

Summary of Drone Laws in Dubai

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in Dubai (UAE)

UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)

Contact Information

If you need additional details we have not covered or specific case assistance, you can contact the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) directly at:

• Address: 34 Saif Ghobash St – Al Rawdah – W58 – Abu Dhabi
• Phone: 8004466 or 00971 2 4054535 or DCAA CALL CENTER at 80083222 in the UAE, or if Overseas, use this number: 0097147770000
• Email: drones@gcaa.gov.ae or info@dcaa.gov.ae

Please continue reading for more details on Dubai or UAE Drone Laws.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) has temporarily suspended all drone operations in the UAE.

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Dubai

The Emirates agency responsible for drone safety, GCAA, and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), with additional responsibility for Dubai, has provided several details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details, go to the link above.

Are drones allowed in Dubai?

According to DCAA, drone use is allowed in Dubai, subject to DCAA and GCAA regulations. However, the MOI has temporarily suspended drone operations. Read on for more details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Dubai:

The UAE provides separate regulations based on types of users defined as:

a) Individual/Private (Recreational)

• This category is for all individual/private users who want to fly UAS/drones in the UAE for leisure (hobby).

b) Organization/Operator (Commercial & Non-Commercial)

• This category is for all organizations/operators who would like to operate UAS/drones in the UAE for commercial purposes or for special operations e.g., photography, aerial survey, etc.

Specific guidance is provided in each section below.

UAS/Drones Flying Zones

• To learn about allowable flying zones in the UAE airspace, download the Mobile App “My Drone Hub” for Android or iOS phones or download the KMZ file here.

In addition to following all GCAA regulations, DCAA requires its own registration and process for flights in Dubai.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Dubai

Requirements for an Individual/Private User (Recreational)(Click to Apply)

The process is very simple and fast. Log in online at the DCAA registration site, apply for the service, pay online, and receive immediate approval. You should print the approval and keep a copy with you.

The SERVICE FEE are as follows:

• 100/- AED Professional
• 100/- AED Hobbyist
• 100/- AED Tourist
• 10/- AED Knowledge Dirham Fees (KDF)
• 10/- AED (Innovation Fee)

You will need drone photos and a drone training certificate.

• The user and UAS/drone shall be registered with the DCAA before flying;
• All UAS/drones weighing 5kgs or less shall only be allowed to fly in the approved flying zone indicated in my drone hub mobile application (i.e. the green zone);
• Camera usage is only allowed in the flying zones. Drone users must not violate relevant UAE laws while using the camera;
• No UAS/drones shall be equipped with drop or release devices;
• UAS/drones flying range shall be within line-of-sight and not more than 400 feet above ground level;
• UAS/drones shall fly only during day time and in good weather conditions;
• UAS/drones shall be used for fun and not for commercial purposes;
• The user shall be responsible for ensuring the UAS/drone is used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and it is inspected before the commencement of flight;
• No user shall fly the UAS/drones near public and/or private property;
• No user shall fly the UAS/drones within 5 km of the UAE airports outer fence, Heliports, Helicopter landing Sites, and airfields or in controlled zones;
• Direct radio control link shall be maintained between the user and the UAS/drones;
• Frequency Band Restrictions (29.7-47.0 MHz max power 10 mW, or 2400-2500 MHz max power 100 mW) shall be maintained;
• UAS/drone users shall take into consideration the effects on radio communication, interference of the frequency used;
• UAS/drones user shall avoid collisions with people, objects, and other manned and unmanned aircraft;
• UAS/drones user shall not harass or endanger people or threaten to damage property;
• UAS/drones owner shall be responsible for informing the DCAA through the DCAA website when he/she intends to resell the UAS/drones;
• All UAS/drones weighing above 5kgs and/or equipped with gas engines shall only operate within the GCAA-approved flying clubs;
• The minimum age to fly UAS/drones weighing more than 25Kgs is 21 years;

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Dubai

The process is very simple and fast. Log in online at the DCAA registration site, apply for the service, pay online and receive immediate approval. You should print the approval and keep a copy with you.

Commercial Use Application in Dubai

For a no objection letter for commercial use, apply here: Dubai No Objection Commercial Use Application Online

This service enables customers to Fly A drone as a Proof Of Concept and or Demo Purpose for commercial in the Emirate of Dubai

The SERVICE FEE are as follows:

• 1500/- AED per transaction
• 10/- AED Knowledge Dirham Fees (KDF)
• 10/- AED (Innovation Fee)

Event Drone Use Application in Dubai

For a no-objection letter for drone use during an event, apply here: Dubai No Objection Event Use Application Online

This service enables the customer to obtain a No Objection Certificate to fly a Drone during an Event in the Emirate of Dubai. 

The SERVICE FEE are as follows:

• 5000/- AED
• 10/- AED Knowledge Dirham Fees (KDF)
• 10/- AED (Innovation Fee)

Registration Requirements for an Organization/Operator (Professional use in the UAE)

Step 1: Register the organization and obtain the Unmanned Aircraft Operator Authorisation (UOA)

All Organizations/Operators who intend to operate UAS/drones in the UAE for professional use or special operations are required to submit the following documents:

• All organizations/operators shall obtain Security clearance issued by GCAA (click to apply)
• All organizations/operators shall fill “UA operator registration letter”, the letter should be printed on company letterhead and submit it to drones@gcaa.gov.ae (Click to Apply) 
• All organizations/operators shall subscribe to GCAA E-Publications service and send the evidence of subscription to drones@gcaa.gov.ae(applicable fee= AED 1,200) (click to apply) 

SLA: Time it takes to obtain Unmanned Aircraft Operator Authorisation (UOA) is three weeks, subject to meeting GCAA requirements.

Note: Obtaining UOA does not authorize the operator to fly the drone. Please follow step 2 to obtain operational approval.

Step 2: Apply for operational permission

• Once UOA is obtained from GCAA, the organization/operator must apply for unmanned aircraft operation permission for each drone flying activity in the red zone. (click to apply)

SLA: 14 working days 

Note: (for further clarification regarding operational approval, please get in touch with the ANA team on Tel: +97124054257 or E-Mail: ana.approval@gcaa.gov.ae)

Examples of Special Operations allowed for this category:

• Areal Work
• Agriculture
• Air Show
• Fire fighting
• Inspection
• Media
• Petroleum
• Protecting Wildlife
• Screening
• Surveillance
• Survey
• Weather forecasting

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Useful published information on flying drones in Dubai

Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Dubai…

When in Dubai, you should find time to explore the rest of the United Arab Emirates. Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in the UAE…

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NOTE: This page is about the Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

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Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.

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