GACA
Saudi Arabia
Permit path requiredGACA permit, pilot certificate, registration, and filming approval
Saudi Arabia is not a casual tourist flight destination. Confirm that GACA can accept your aircraft and pilot credentials before packing; the normal registration portal relies on Saudi identity or residency eligibility.
The trip, step by step
- Bring it
- GACA's portal requires an approved aircraft registration before a customs-clearance request can be filed. Do not bring or ship a drone until GACA confirms both registration eligibility and the customs path.
- Register it
- Registration is required at 250 g or more and whenever the aircraft carries a sensor capable of capturing personal, survey, or geospatial data. Normal registration eligibility is limited to Saudi citizens and lawfully admitted residents.
- Fly it
- Open-category operation requires a GACA Permit to Operate, an Open Remote Pilot Certificate or specifically accepted foreign equivalent, applicable aircraft registration, VLOS, and compliance with people and airspace restrictions.
- Map check
- Operate only in GACA-designated UAS geographical zones or an alternative area specifically authorized by GACA. Prohibited, restricted, populated, aerodrome, and special-use areas require the applicable authorization.
Before you travel
- 01Confirm GACA registration eligibility and customs clearance before packing or shipping a drone.
- 02Obtain the required pilot certificate, registration, and Permit to Operate.
- 03Secure separate photography or geospatial-capture approval where applicable.
Operating notes
- Max altitude
- Open-category flights are limited to 120 m / 400 ft AGL by day and must remain inside the geographical zone and conditions authorized by GACA.
- Commercial work
- Payment alone does not define the category. Operations outside Open-category limits require Specific-category authorization or a UAS Operator Certificate supported by an operational risk assessment. Photography and geospatial capture require approval from the competent authority.