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Drone Laws in Myanmar

Summary of Drone Laws in Myanmar

Hobbyist Drone Laws For Residents of Myanmar

Drone Operations in Myanmar are currently regulated.


  • Hobbyist drone flights are allowed in Myanmar
  • Hobbyist Myanmar drone pilot license is not required
  • Hobbyist Drone registration/authorization is required in Myanmar for hobbyists
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Myanmar for hobbyists
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for hobbyists’ drone operations in Myanmar

Read below for more details on Hobbyist Drone Laws in Myanmar and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Commercial Drone Laws For Residents of Myanmar

Drone Operations in Myanmar are currently regulated.


  • Commercial drone flights are allowed in Myanmar
  • Commercial Myanmar drone pilot license is not required
  • Commercial Drone registration/authorization is required in Myanmar for commercial drone operators
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Myanmar for Commercial Drone Operators
  • Drone Insurance is not required for commercial drone operations in Myanmar

Read below for more details on Commercial Drone Laws in Myanmar and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Regulations For Visitors To Myanmar

Drone Operations in Myanmar are currently regulated.


  • Foreign visitor drone flights are allowed in Myanmar
  • Foreign visitor drone pilot license is not required
  • Drone registration/authorization is required in Myanmar for visitors/tourists
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Myanmar for tourists
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for tourist drone operations in Myanmar

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in Myanmar for Visitors (Tourists) and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Rules For Government Drone Operators in Myanmar

Drone Operations in Myanmar are currently regulated.


  • Government drone flights are allowed in Myanmar
  • Government drone pilot license is required
  • Drone registration is required in Myanmar for Government operations
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Myanmar for Government operations
  • Drone Insurance is not required for Government drone operations in Myanmar

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in Myanmar for Government Drone Operations and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Burma)

Drone Regulator in Myanmar: Myanmar Department of Civil Aviation (MDCA)


UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Myanmar

The Myanmar agency responsible for drone safety, MDCA, has provided several details on flying a drone for fun or work. Please note that Myanmar has not officially published regulations governing the use of Drones. The highlights of current practice are enumerated below. For more details, contact the MDCA directly.

Are drones allowed in Myanmar?

According to MDCA, drones are allowed in Myanmar, subject to MDCA regulations. Read on for details.

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

  • All drones must be carried in luggage, and batteries must not be placed in checked baggage. 
  • Drones must be declared at customs upon entry or face confiscation. 
  • Anyone caught attempting to import a drone illegally faces up to three years in prison. 
  • Even if the drone passes through customs without incident, we strongly advise you to register first and thoroughly familiarize yourself with the applicable laws before flying.
  • According to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) of the Ministry of Transport, drones operated by foreign tourists must be registered before the flight.
  • The area surrounding Shwedagon Pagoda and any part of Nay Pyi Taw are off-limits.
  • Do not fly your drone over crowds or individuals. 
  • Avoid flying your drone near airports, government buildings, and military-controlled areas. 
  • Avoid flying your drone too close to religious structures such as temples, pagodas, monasteries, nunneries, and academies of Buddhism. 
  • Fly your drone only during daylight hours and in good weather. 
  • Do not operate drones near schools or residential areas, and you should always respect the privacy of others.

Getting a permit

Myanmar has permitted the use of drones in recent years. However, a permit is required in advance, as is registering your drone at the airport. 

You can contact the MDCA by sending an email to the MDCA Facebook Page

Take note that it will take at least four weeks.

Penalties

There are no clear laws in Myanmar regarding drone-related penalties. 

Possessing an unregistered drone (even if you have a permit and are not flying it) can result in a prison sentence of 2-3 years. 

Additional Note for Foreign Operators

Flying a drone is permitted only if a permit is obtained before entering the country and the drone is registered at the airport.


Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Myanmar

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.


Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Myanmar

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.


Useful published information on flying drones in Myanmar

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


Authoritative Sources of Information on Myanmar Drone Laws

We will attempt to keep an updated list of online authoritative links to regulators and other official websites here:



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.


Find out why

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And a Drone Post-flight checklist

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It includes both the preflight checklist and post-flight checklist

It’s an easy-to-use printable PDF that covers all your bases.


Traveling with a Drone?

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



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4 responses to “Drone Laws in Myanmar”

  1. Jeff White

    I brought a drone into Myanmar unaware of the rules (not intending to fly in Myanmar) – Was in transit from Canada to Indonesia where I live – but I work in Myanmar so it stayed in my suitcase for a month while I worked there.
    Customs did not say anything when I entered with the drone, but when I tried to leave a month later they would not allow the drone to go with me.
    They allowed my boss to pick up the drone and keep it, and let me go.
    Next month I’ll be going back to work and wondering is there anything I can do to be able to bring it out and take it back home?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Jeff, we are not aware of rules keeping you from exiting with the drone. Perhaps someone here can share any insights or experience

  2. Justin

    I have an old mavic air- small one. I have flown it a couple of times( holiday) in Dawei and Bagan, never in yangon. It has been lying unused for 4 years now and I want to give to my cousin in Thailand when I visit him coming week. Is there a chance that they will confiscate the drone or will they allow me to take it outside of Myanmar. Any suggestions please?

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      You should have registered the drone in Myanmar previously. You need to look at the laws related to importing a drone in Thailand if that is where you are taking it.

Leave a Comment

4 thoughts on “Drone Laws in Myanmar”

  1. I brought a drone into Myanmar unaware of the rules (not intending to fly in Myanmar) – Was in transit from Canada to Indonesia where I live – but I work in Myanmar so it stayed in my suitcase for a month while I worked there.
    Customs did not say anything when I entered with the drone, but when I tried to leave a month later they would not allow the drone to go with me.
    They allowed my boss to pick up the drone and keep it, and let me go.
    Next month I’ll be going back to work and wondering is there anything I can do to be able to bring it out and take it back home?

    Reply
    • Jeff, we are not aware of rules keeping you from exiting with the drone. Perhaps someone here can share any insights or experience

      Reply
  2. I have an old mavic air- small one. I have flown it a couple of times( holiday) in Dawei and Bagan, never in yangon. It has been lying unused for 4 years now and I want to give to my cousin in Thailand when I visit him coming week. Is there a chance that they will confiscate the drone or will they allow me to take it outside of Myanmar. Any suggestions please?

    Reply
    • You should have registered the drone in Myanmar previously. You need to look at the laws related to importing a drone in Thailand if that is where you are taking it.

      Reply

Leave a Comment