AFAC
Mexico
Do not pack without approvalForeign RPAS operation is highly restricted
Mexico is popular with travel photographers, but foreign-operated RPAS are not a casual tourist workflow. Treat it as permission-first, especially for commercial or client work.
The trip, step by step
- Bring it
- Bring proof of ownership and confirm the legal flight path before travel. Archaeological sites, resorts, and parks often prohibit launch.
- Register it
- Mexican operators must register every drone over 250 g with AFAC, keep below 122 m, and carry third-party liability insurance for private or commercial flights.
- Fly it
- Mexican operators follow NOM-107 requirements by weight and use. NOM-107 bars foreign-registered drones and foreign operators, apart from authorized scientific research. The exception is a bilateral agreement between AFAC and the operator's home aviation authority.
- Map check
- Avoid airports, heliports, military sites, crowds, archaeological zones, protected areas, and controlled/restricted airspace without authorization.
Before you travel
- 01Review AFAC RPAS guidance and NOM-107 before travel.
- 02Do not assume foreign recreational or commercial flight is available.
- 03Get written authorization for scientific, commercial, aerial survey, archaeological, resort, or protected-site work.
Operating notes
- Max altitude
- 122 m / 400 ft AGL is the general ceiling under NOM-107, unless specifically authorized otherwise.
- Commercial work
- Commercial RPAS operations require AFAC authorization, pilot/operator documentation, registration, operating documents, and insurance.