Qatar Flag - Qatar Drone Laws

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Drone Laws in Qatar

Summary of Drone Laws in Qatar

Hobbyist Drone Laws For Residents of Qatar

Drone Operations in Qatar are currently regulated.

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

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

Commercial Drone Laws For Residents of Qatar

Drone Operations in Qatar are currently regulated.

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

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

Drone Regulations For Visitors To Qatar

Drone Operations in Qatar are currently regulated.

  • Foreign visitor drone flights are prohibited in Qatar
  • Foreign visitor drone pilot license is not applicable
  • Drone registration is not applicable in Qatar for visitors/tourists
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Qatar for tourists
  • Drone Insurance is not applicable for tourist drone operations in Qatar

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

Drone Rules For Government Drone Operators in Qatar

Drone Operations in Qatar are currently regulated.

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

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

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the State of Qatar

Drone Regulator in Qatar: Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

Online links to Drone Forms: Qatar Drone Forms

For further clarifications, kindly contact CAA on the following: Landline: 4455165 or  Email: UAS@caa.gov.qa

UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Qatar

The Qatari agency responsible for drone safety, CAA, has provided several details on flying a drone for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.

Are drones allowed in Qatar?

According to the CAA, drone use is prohibited in Qatar without prior permission of the CAA and is subject to strict regulations. Read on for more details.

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

  • Before flying your drone, you must apply for and obtain a permit from the Qatar aviation authority. 
  • If you are only transiting through Doha Airport (DOH), you are not required to obtain a permit to transport your drone. For instance, if you’re flying Qatar Airways from London to Singapore with a brief layover, you don’t need a license for your drone as long as you don’t leave the airport. 
  • Avoid flying your drone over people or crowds. 
  • When flying your drone, be mindful of other people’s privacy. 
  • Avoid flying your drone near military installations, power plants, or other areas that might raise local authorities’ suspicions. 
  • Never fly your drone higher than 400 feet (122 meters) 
  • Avoid flying your drone near airports or in areas frequented by aircraft. 
  • You must fly during daylight hours and only in favorable weather.

Notes for Foreign Operators

It is prohibited to operate Unmanned Aircraft in the territory of the state of Qatar without a prior permission license issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). 

According to the CAA, this authorization is available only to Qatari residents.

Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Qatar

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

Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Qatar

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

Useful published information on flying drones in Qatar

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

Authoritative Sources of Information on Qatar 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.

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Traveling with a Drone?

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

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30 responses to “Drone Laws in Qatar”

  1. German

    Hello, guys! I have got the message from CAA that all drones are strictly prohibited in Qatar, you won’t get the permission, there is no way for non resident. At the custom in the airport they confiscate it

    Reply
    1. luis

      do you get them back?

      Reply
  2. Ewout

    Hi Merlin,

    I’m traveling to Doha early november, visiting a friend. I stay only 3 days in Doha after that I am leaving the country. I will not use my drone in Qatar but leave at in my hotel. What do you think is that possible? In case not are there lockers at Doha Airport? Many thanks in advance.

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      The customs folks in Doha can hold your drone and return it to you on departure. It’s not clear if they will allow you to keep it with you while you are there.

      Reply
      1. Pedro Caron

        Merlin, have they hold your drone and returned it to you after a couple of days? I am in a very similar situation.
        I’m traveling to Doha early December and I will stay only 5 days in Doha after that I am leaving the country. I will not use my drone in Qatar but leave it at in my hotel. What do you think is that possible? I am afraid they will confiscate it and I will lose my drone. I’ve sent a email to pr@caa.gov.qa and messaged them on Facebook about 10 days ago, but no response so far.

        Reply
        1. Editorial Team

          Several visitors have reported that the drone is held at the airport and returned to you at departure.

          Reply
  3. German

    Hello, I sent the application form to register my drone to CAA week ago, but still didn’t get the answer. How long it takes?

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      We have heard varying information. Can be longer than 30 days.

      Reply
  4. M I A Ahamed

    I am Qatar resident what is the process to buy drone in online?
    Q post or other delivery companies will deliver?
    (Not use for Qatar)

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      You will need regulators’ approval for a drone in Qatar regardless of whether it’s being used there. You will also need import approval to get it to Qatar.

      Reply
  5. Nikhil Kulkarni

    Hello,

    Can we use nano drones for educational purpose for training school students.
    And is it allowed to fly drone in closed environment.

    Nikhil Kulkarni

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Drones are not allowed in Qatar without CAA approval.

      Reply
  6. Edward

    Hello there,
    I have also an inquiry, regarding the Drones in Qatar.
    I cannot find at all, a proper information on the CAA webiste.
    I am a resident in Qatar, and I would like to bring with me into the country a Drone I own, but NOT to be used in Qatar, but only when I travel abroad.
    Unfortunately, there is no such details, mentioned, or how you can bring a personal good with you, even without using it.
    There should be a clear specific details, how you can bring it, what are the details you need to provide, etc etc.
    If there is any risk, by bringing the Drone with me from Europe, and in the airport they might confiscate that, this details should be clearly mentioned somewhere.
    Please let me know if you can provide some support on this matter.
    Thanks
    Edward

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Edward, Drones are highly restricted in Qatar, so you may be unable to do this. You should check with the regulator.

      Reply
  7. Yoan

    Hello, I want to buy a drone to fly for fun in my compound. I do have a QID and I am a resident, do do I need a permit to fly low in my compound?

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Our understanding is that all drone flights are prohibited without CAA approval. Please check with them and let us know what you find out.

      Reply
  8. Kyn

    I’ll be traveling to Australia and spending one day in Qatar. My drone is a dji mini with less than 250g, I am concern if they will arrest my drone when entering the country.
    I have no intention to fly there, only in Australia. Do you know if I should ask for a permission?

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      In Qatar, if you declare the drone, they will either keep it at the airport and return it to you as you depart or allow you to keep it subject to not flying in Qatar.

      Reply
    2. Ferry

      I have the same question, but I’m also not able to find an answer anywhere

      Reply
    3. Lucas

      Hi Kyn,
      did you found the answer? Can we have the permition to entry with the drone?
      I also stay in Qatar for 2 days with no intention to fly the drone.
      I Sent an email to caaqatar@caa.gov.qa but no answer.

      Reply
      1. German

        Lucas, did you get the answer? I just sent the application form there.

        Reply
        1. Pedro Caron

          German or Lucas, did you guys get any answers? How was the experience of bringing the drone to Qatar? Did they confiscate it?

          Reply
  9. Dani

    I am wanting to buy a drone, but not to use in Qatar. I will only use when I travel. Do I need to get permission to just own one or bring into the country of qatar?

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Drone use in Qatar requires authorization, so we would expect the importation to be subject to approrpaite customs approval. However we would recommend checking with the regulator if there is an exception for the situation you describe.

      Reply
  10. mudassir surve

    from where to getbUAS pilote training certificate in qatar and what is the cost of course, because in permit appilcation for youbneed to enter uas pilote certifacte number.

    Reply
    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Mudassir, certifications to fly a drone in Qatar are only open to Qatar residents. If you are a Qatar resident please contact the CAA (you can find a link to CAA website near the tp of this page).

      Reply
      1. Abhishek

        hello merlin u said only qatar residents are aloowed so u mean qatari citizens or people who have qatar visa i mean qatar id is also posiible becoz i am an indian and i am also having qatar id which means i am qatar residents but not qatari citizen so can i operate dornes for fun purpose not foe commercial though..

        Reply
        1. Merlin at Drone Laws

          Abhishek, you must get certified by Qatar CAA. They will make the decision.

          Reply

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30 thoughts on “Drone Laws in Qatar”

  1. Hello, guys! I have got the message from CAA that all drones are strictly prohibited in Qatar, you won’t get the permission, there is no way for non resident. At the custom in the airport they confiscate it

    Reply

  2. Hi Merlin,

    I’m traveling to Doha early november, visiting a friend. I stay only 3 days in Doha after that I am leaving the country. I will not use my drone in Qatar but leave at in my hotel. What do you think is that possible? In case not are there lockers at Doha Airport? Many thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • The customs folks in Doha can hold your drone and return it to you on departure. It’s not clear if they will allow you to keep it with you while you are there.

      Reply

      • Merlin, have they hold your drone and returned it to you after a couple of days? I am in a very similar situation.
        I’m traveling to Doha early December and I will stay only 5 days in Doha after that I am leaving the country. I will not use my drone in Qatar but leave it at in my hotel. What do you think is that possible? I am afraid they will confiscate it and I will lose my drone. I’ve sent a email to pr@caa.gov.qa and messaged them on Facebook about 10 days ago, but no response so far.

        Reply

  4. I am Qatar resident what is the process to buy drone in online?
    Q post or other delivery companies will deliver?
    (Not use for Qatar)

    Reply

    • You will need regulators’ approval for a drone in Qatar regardless of whether it’s being used there. You will also need import approval to get it to Qatar.

      Reply

  5. Hello,

    Can we use nano drones for educational purpose for training school students.
    And is it allowed to fly drone in closed environment.

    Nikhil Kulkarni

    Reply

  6. Hello there,
    I have also an inquiry, regarding the Drones in Qatar.
    I cannot find at all, a proper information on the CAA webiste.
    I am a resident in Qatar, and I would like to bring with me into the country a Drone I own, but NOT to be used in Qatar, but only when I travel abroad.
    Unfortunately, there is no such details, mentioned, or how you can bring a personal good with you, even without using it.
    There should be a clear specific details, how you can bring it, what are the details you need to provide, etc etc.
    If there is any risk, by bringing the Drone with me from Europe, and in the airport they might confiscate that, this details should be clearly mentioned somewhere.
    Please let me know if you can provide some support on this matter.
    Thanks
    Edward

    Reply

  7. Hello, I want to buy a drone to fly for fun in my compound. I do have a QID and I am a resident, do do I need a permit to fly low in my compound?

    Reply

    • Our understanding is that all drone flights are prohibited without CAA approval. Please check with them and let us know what you find out.

      Reply

  8. I’ll be traveling to Australia and spending one day in Qatar. My drone is a dji mini with less than 250g, I am concern if they will arrest my drone when entering the country.
    I have no intention to fly there, only in Australia. Do you know if I should ask for a permission?

    Reply

  9. I am wanting to buy a drone, but not to use in Qatar. I will only use when I travel. Do I need to get permission to just own one or bring into the country of qatar?

    Reply

    • Drone use in Qatar requires authorization, so we would expect the importation to be subject to approrpaite customs approval. However we would recommend checking with the regulator if there is an exception for the situation you describe.

      Reply

  10. from where to getbUAS pilote training certificate in qatar and what is the cost of course, because in permit appilcation for youbneed to enter uas pilote certifacte number.

    Reply

    • Mudassir, certifications to fly a drone in Qatar are only open to Qatar residents. If you are a Qatar resident please contact the CAA (you can find a link to CAA website near the tp of this page).

      Reply

      • hello merlin u said only qatar residents are aloowed so u mean qatari citizens or people who have qatar visa i mean qatar id is also posiible becoz i am an indian and i am also having qatar id which means i am qatar residents but not qatari citizen so can i operate dornes for fun purpose not foe commercial though..

        Reply

Leave a Comment