Drone Laws in Qatar

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…


NOTE: 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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IMPORTANT NOTE

The content on this site (The latest Drone Laws/Drone Regulations) is collated by volunteers from public general information. It is based on user experience, our own research, understanding, and interpretation of the laws. We always go back to the regulatory source as a starting point and apply our expertise in simplifying where possible what the authorities publish. To that understanding, we add our own first hand experience, and users experience to build a more complete picture.

This material is not presented as legal advice of any kind, and we cannot guarantee that the information is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. Do not substitute the information you find here for legal advice from a licensed attorney who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction. When in doubt, contact the local aviation authority responsible for drone safety, utilize a licensed drone service operator, and/or consult a qualified attorney.

When your experience is different, we want to know. We welcome any feedback, corrections, or updates that can be shared with our community.

Finally, we urge you to operate your drone safely and to follow the drone laws of the location in which you are flying!

The contents of this website are open-sourced and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States (CC By-SA 3.0 US). Feel free to share, remix, or otherwise.

28 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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

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