GCAA
United Arab Emirates
Do not pack without approvalUAE Drones registration and approved zones
The UAE has strict drone controls, remote ID expectations, UAE Drones registration, and emirate-level rules. Travel photographers should get approval before packing a drone for any planned flight.
The trip, step by step
- Bring it
- Customs and local enforcement can be serious. Confirm permission before bringing a drone. GCAA Safety Decision 2026-03 suspended drone operations in UAE airspace from early March 2026. We could not confirm on an official GCAA page when, or whether, recreational flying resumed, so check drones.gov.ae before travel.
- Register it
- Use GCAA and emirate authority services for current registration/permit status.
- Fly it
- GCAA says every drone flown for recreation must be registered, whatever its weight. Recreational flights also need approved zones and, in some emirates, emirate-level approval.
- Map check
- The UAE has dense controlled and sensitive airspace. Do not fly without explicit clearance.
Before you travel
- 01Check GCAA and UAE Drones current drone status before travel.
- 02Coordinate with Dubai DCAA or the relevant emirate if flying there.
- 03Do not conduct casual flights without written approval.
Operating notes
- Max altitude
- Only fly within the altitude and area approved by the authority.
- Commercial work
- Commercial work requires authority approval, registration, and often emirate-level coordination.