- Drone registration in the UAE
- Private drone licence
- Commercial drone licence
- Drone licence in Dubai
- Rules and regulations
Drones in Dubai are widely utilised for both commercial and personal use by photographers, videographers and other creative professionals. An overhead shot with a camera on a drone can capture the magnificence of the landscape in a much more appealing fashion than the usual two-dimensional photographs from more limited vantage points. To ensure that drone usage in the UAE is carried out in a safe and well-regulated manner, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has defined a set of rules and regulations for drone owners in the UAE. Each drone has to be registered by the authority and the user must have a drone operating licence before flying the device. To conduct activities with a drone in Dubai, you also need an RPAS registration card issued by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA). Here are all the details about the RPAS registration process.
HOW TO REGISTER A DRONE IN THE UAE?
Have you been asking yourself if you can legally fly a drone in Dubai? The simple answer is yes, you can fly a drone in Dubai if you have a valid drone licence. Drones are available across the UAE in various electronics stores as well as online shops. For the registration of a drone in the UAE, you have to visit the official website of the General Civil Aviation Authority.
DRONE REGISTRATION FOR RECREATIONAL/PRIVATE USER
ELIGIBILITY
All citizens and residents who own an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drone are eligible for UAS/drone licence in the UAE.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION FOR DRONE REGISTRATION IN DUBAI
To begin your drone registration process in the UAE, you need to have these documents ready:
- Copy of a valid Emirates ID
- Drone or UAS model number
- Drone or UAS serial number
- Camera model and serial number (if the drone has a mounted camera)
- Weight of the drone in kilograms
- Coloured photo of the drone or UAS
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR RECREATIONAL DRONE LICENCE
Once all the required documents are ready, you can start the procedure to register a drone in the UAE.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AT GCAA
- The first step in the UAE drone registration process is to submit an application through E-Services on the official GCAA website.
- You can also use My Mobile Hub, a smartphone application as an alternative to the GCAA website for drone registration.
- Fill out all the required details without missing any crucial details on the application form and wait for the review.
WAIT FOR THE REVIEW
- Once you have successfully submitted an application for UAS/drone registration, the application will be under review until the GCAA goes through the submitted documents and checks the information on the application.
- The review committee will also authenticate the validity of the submitted supporting documents including the Emirates ID, UAS/Drone serial number, photo of the drone and other information proving the ownership and usage of the drone or UAS.
- The review may take 3 – 5 working days or more.
ISSUE OF UAS/DRONE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
Once the review process is completed and all the documents are deemed to be in-line with the rules and regulations of the GCAA, the applicant will receive their UAS/Drone Registration Certificate. Receiving the certificate can take up to 12 working days.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR A COMMERCIAL UAS/DRONE LICENCE
Businesses or operators with an intent to operate drones in Dubai or other emirates in the UAE must also hold a GCAA drone Registration Certificate. The application process for the commercial drone licence in the UAE starts with the UAS GCAA Exam. After passing the exam, you can apply for the licence.
DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION REQUIRED
- Details of the organisation requiring a drone for commercial use
- Emirates IDs of the personnel responsible for handling and operations of the drone
- Passport numbers if any of all the responsible parties
- Serial number of the drone or multiple drones
- Manufacturer information
- Weight of the drone without payload
- Weight of the drone with payload
- Model number of the camera installed on the drone if applicable
PROCEDURE
- As mentioned above, all companies wanting to purchase and operate a drone in Dubai or other emirates in the UAE have to undergo a special exam.
- Once the exam is completed successfully, the responsible person needs to visit the official GCAA website and fill out the Drone Registration Application form for organisations.
- Fill in all the required details such as organisation name, type of organisation, address, contact number and name of the person accountable, trade licence number, insurance details covering drone operations.
- Fill out all the details of the personnel responsible for operating the drone.
- The personnel details include name, nationality, Emirates ID number, passport number, date of birth, visa number (if applicable).
- Mention the purpose of flying in the UAE; include the type of operations, area of operations, maximum height of the operations and the time of the operation. You are also required to mention if the drone will be used during the day or at night.
- Information related to the drone or UAS will also be required. This information includes drone engine type, manufacturer name, serial number, weight with payload, weight without payload, usage capability, drone control, drone camera details and more.
Once all the information is successfully added and application form is submitted, GCAA will provide the applicant with the GCAA Commercial Drone/UAS Certificate.
HOW TO REGISTER A DRONE IN DUBAI?
In addition to the rules and regulations established by GCAA, an individual or business wanting to operate a drone in Dubai must adhere to the rules set by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority or DCAA. Here’s the procedure to register a drone in Dubai:
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY DCAA TO REGISTER A DRONE IN DUBAI
Here is a list of documents and details needed to register a drone in Dubai for private or commercial use:
- Name of the owner/operator of the drone for private use
- Company name, registration number, commercial licence number and name of the drone operator for commercial use
- Emirates ID for owners or drone operators
- Valid passport number of owners and drone operators
- Valid passport number for non-residents
- Passport-sized photos with a white background
- Valid visa number if applicable
- Relevant contact information such as landline numbers, email and mobile number
- RPAS type and model
- Coloured image of the RPAS
- The serial number of the RPAS
- Operator trainer certificate for both UAE residents and tourists
- Insurance number or national ID number for tourists
- Flight booking information is required f you are a tourist to get a drone licence in Dubai.
PROCEDURE TO REGISTER A DRONE IN DUBAI
To register a drone in Dubai, operators are required to get an operator training certificate program endorsed by the DCAA to provide RPAS certifications. Sanad Academy and Exponent are two approved training centres where drone owners in Dubai can get the necessary training. Once the training is complete, owners/operators can apply for NOC.
OBTAIN NOC
- Visit the official DCAA website and create a customer login ID if you’re visiting the site for the first time
- Login to your account to fill out an application form
- Include all the information required and don’t miss out on any details
- Submit the application form
- Pay online using the E-government services.
REVIEW, EVALUATION AND APPROVAL
- Once your application is submitted, wait for the DCAA to approve and evaluate the information provided on your drone registration application in Dubai.
- The DCAA has the right to accept or reject applications if incorrect or incomplete information is provided.
- After the evaluation process is completed, DCAA will approve the application and send the applicant a printed registration card.
- It will take 12 to 15 days for the process to be completed.
SERVICE CHARGES
Here are the different costs for registering a drone in Dubai:
- AED 520 for drone registration in Dubai for a government entity
- AED 520 for drone registration in Dubai for a commercial entity
- AED 520 for a temporary commercial drone licence
- AED 120 for a professional drone licence in Dubai
- AED 120 for a hobbyist drone licence in Dubai
- AED 120 for a drone licence for tourist in Dubai
- AED 120 for Dubai Customs Drone Release Letter
- AED 520 for any drone for state
DCAA CONTACT INFORMATION
- Location: Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airport Terminal 1 Arrivals section.
- Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 07:30 am – 02:30 pm
- Email: info@dcaa.gov.ae
- Contact: +971-4-777-0000 | 800-83222
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR DRONES IN DUBAI
- Stay restricted to the fly zones provided by the UAE Drone Zone Map app available on the Play Store and App Store.
- Avoid collisions with objects, people and respect the privacy of the people while using the drone for photography or videography even if you hold a valid licence.
- UAS or drone flying in Dubai and other emirates near airports is strictly prohibited.
- Avoid flying drones near helipads as well.
- Drones should not be equipped with a drop or release device.
- The drones’ flying range must be within the line-of-sight and not more than 122 meters above ground level.
- Drones are permitted to fly during day time and in excellent weather conditions.
- Drone flight are not allowed in public places or private properties.
- Pilots or drone operators must maintain direct radio control link for the duration of the flight.
- Drone pilots are responsible for informing the GCAA through the GCAA website when they intend to resell their drone(s).
Registering a drone in Dubai or any other emirate in the UAE is mandatory for everyone. From private drone owners to commercial drones, each one has their own rules and regulations.
Also, check out the rules and regulations for public photography in the UAE. Drones can also come in handy if you’re planning to visit the best areas in Dubai for a photoshoot. If you have the licence and flight permit from DCAA or GCAA, brush up your creative skills with one of the photography courses in the UAE.
