UAE Drone Fly Zone Map: Federal Regulations, Laws, and Penalties Explained in 2025

In any state of the UAE, the skeptical skyscrapers, modern culture, and majestic environment may give the tingling to fly your drone. 

But, are you aware of the Drone Flying Regulations?

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) made some strict rules on this matter, which will (According to them) promote safety for civilians and security for individual privacy. It’s a thoughtfully crafted initiative!

You must follow these rules to make your Drone Flying Activity accepted by the authorities. 

Let’s know why these drone laws are so strict, how they work, general federal regulations, and Big Fines for not following them. 

Why are Drone Regulations Strict in the UAE?

As we said earlier, UAE drone regulations are quite strict, especially if you are a visitor from another country. 

There are several reasons behind this strictness. 

I. To Ensure Public Safety in Urban Areas 

Roughly 11 million people live in the UAE. The government wants to ensure each of these individuals can live in a safe environment without any disruptions in privacy. Drones can target individuals and cause other types of public property damage, threatening the country’s commitment to public safety.

With the regulations and introduction of “No Flying Zones,” the UAE government can check any pilot’s activity and take immediate action to prevent misuse or potential harm. 

II. Drone Rules will Protect Privacy and Prevent Unauthorized Surveillance 

In the UAE, one of the worst experiences you can get is unknowingly getting photographed using a drone. This is a crime that can interrupt any foreigner or local civilian’s peaceful living. 

So, the UAE government enforced these laws to prevent unauthorized surveillance of the privacy of individuals, critical infrastructure, government buildings, and military installations. 

0 tolerance policy for troublemakers! 

III. These Rules will Prevent Accidents in Restricted Zones 

The entire UAE has multiple sensitive restricted zones, known as “No Fly Zones” that prevent misuse of drone technologies for surveillance, photography, and unintentional accidents.  

By enforcing these laws, the UAE government is ensuring that drones remain in the permitted areas and don’t cause trouble in these sensitive areas, preventing any breach of security and ensuring public safety. 

IV. To Avoid Interference with Aviation and Ensure Flight Safety 

On average, 3000 thousand flights are taken off from Dubai each week. You will have an idea of how crowded the UAE airspace is, which is considered one of the busiest in the world. 

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) wants to ensure utmost safety to incoming and outgoing flights. The strict rules of flying a drone will help maintain the safety and security of the UAE airspace to avoid collisions or flight disruptions. 

Moreover, they prevent you from operating drones near airports or in controlled airspace.

IV. The UAE Government wants to Promote Responsible Use of Drone Technology

Drones do have great potential for innovation, aerial decoration, logistics, and agriculture. If you use drone tech that will benefit the country in different aspects, then don’t worry about flying them. You will most likely be under the government’s protection! 

25 Essential Rules for Flying a Drone in The UAE 

The GCAA has provided a set of rules for both individuals and organizations. If you want to fly drones on a hobby basis (Individual case), consider taking note because not following even a single rule can cost thousands of Dirhams.  

Registration Based 

1. Both you and the operated drone have to be registered with the GCAA (Outside Dubai), and DCAA (Inside Dubai) before any flight.
2. Any business or organization that wants to operate drone technology must obtain an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Authorization (UOA) from the GCAA and DCAA from Dubai. 
3. You have to take a drone pilot examination at the Dubai Sanad Academy.
4. You can’t document flight information and can’t alter any of it after application. 

Drone Height, Weight, and Overall Specifications Based 

5. You can only fly drones weighing less than 5kg (11 pounds) in the “Green Zones”. 
6. Ensure you’re keeping a minimum distance of 5 km from the outer fence of airports, heliports, airfields, and other “No Fly Zones”.  
7. You must comply with the GCAA frequency band restrictions of 29.7-47.0 MHz (maximum power 10 mW) or 2400-2500 MHz (maximum power 100 mW).
8. Never fly higher than 400 feet (122 meters) above ground level, even in “Green Zones”.
9. To shoot videos or take photos in permitted areas, you will need to own an Emirates ID registered with the GCAA. 
10. You have to maintain direct visual contact with your drone while flying it.
11. You don’t have permission to equip your drones with devices capable of dropping or releasing objects.
12. Cameras in drones are prohibited, but in some rare cases, the authority may allow it but requires specific permission.
13. As the drone owner, you will be responsible for informing the GCAA through their website when you intend to sell your drone. 
14. You will operate the drone based on the manufacturer’s instructions.  
15. Drone insurance is not required but recommended. 

Civilian, Privacy and Public Property Based 

16. You can’t harass or endanger individuals or cause property damages to avoid penalty. 
17. While operating your drone, respect others privacy and prohibit yourself from causing trouble. 
18. Don’t operate drones near congested areas, public or private properties, airports, etc. 
19. Avoid collisions with objects, people, and other public property. 
20. Fly your drones only in the daytime and in good weather. 

Drone Flying Rules for Organizations, Business, and Other Familiar Bodies (Commercial and Non-Commercial)

21. Any business must have a drone registration certificate and security clearance issued by the GCAA.
22. They have to keep proof of subscription from GCAA e-publications services while flying the drone for commercial purposes.
23. You must apply for a registration certificate in special operations, including aerial work, agriculture, air shows, fire fighting, inspection, surveillance, weather forecasting, etc.
24. After obtaining the UOA, organizations must apply for permission before each flight activity, especially in restricted zones. 
25. Submitting a registration letter on official company letterhead to drones@gcaa.gov.ae.

Any individual or organization has to follow these regulations while operating drone technology. 

The GCCA also mentioned some Special Operations that are allowed and encouraged for drone users such as Firefighting, Protecting Wildlife, Surveillance, MediaAirShow, Agriculture, Screening, Inspection, Survey, and other types of Aerial Work. 

Who Can Operate a Drone in the UAE? 

2 types of individuals fall under this category, 

1. Individual/Private Use

Any person who has an authorized drone with legal intentions and is willing to follow all the rules and regulations enforced by the UAE government. These people can be, 

• A hobbyist capturing scenic aerial videos for personal use.
• A drone enthusiast.
• Scientists who are using drone technology for research purposes. 
• A traveler using drones to document their vacations for personal memories.
• Tech enthusiasts testing new drone models or features in their free time.

2. Organization

Businesses, organizations, and operators who want to commercially or non-commercially use drone tech for special reasons. Some of them are, 

• Photography business. 
• Construction company. 
• Agriculture firm. 
• Film production company. 
• Research institution. 
• Logistics company.

Laws and Penalties for Not Following Federal Regulations on Flying Drones 

The UAE drone regulations can be strict, but the penalties and fines are way more harsh. This is why you should always know the penalties before the rules themselves. 

Violation		Applicable Law	Punishment
1	Operating a drone without registration or outside permitted zones	Federal Civil Aviation Law (No. 20 of 1991)	Fine: AED 5,000 to AED 50,000
2	Flying in restricted areas (airports, military zones, private properties)	Federal Civil Aviation Law (No. 20 of 1991)	Fine: AED 100,000 or more
3	Unauthorized photography or videography	Cybercrimes Law (Federal Law No. 5 of 2012)	Fine: Up to AED 500,000
4	Using drones for weaponization	Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2019	Heavy fines and imprisonment
5	Endangering air navigation	Federal Civil Aviation Law (No. 20 of 1991)	Imprisonment for several years
6	Unauthorized Surveillance	UAE Penal Code and Cybercrimes Law	Imprisonment and/or fines
7	General public safety or privacy violations	UAE Penal Code	Imprisonment and/or fines
8	Repeated violations	Federal Civil Aviation and Cybercrimes Law	Ban from future drone ownership or use

Besides these punishments, the government has the right to confiscate your equipment and give you temporary restrictions for any security concerns. 

In 2022, the Ministry of Interior, UAE imposed a new law that can put you behind bars for 6 months and cost you a Dh100,000 fine. Truly a “Grim Turning Point” moment! 

Required Documents Needed for Applying Drone Flying Certificate in the UAE (Both GCAA and DCAA)

Before you start the registration process for drone operations, make sure you have all the rights and legal documents from authorized personnel. Without these documents, you will most likely never get your permission. 

Here is the list of all the required documents for individuals, 

• Security clearance by the GCAA. 
• Clear and colored photos of the operated drone. 
• Drone Training Certificate from a training organization. Recommended, Sanad Academy, RPAS Pilot Training Program.  
• Proof of subscription to the GCAA e-service.
• Proof of payment. 
• Valid Emirates ID Copy. 
• Attached UAS/Drone serial number. 

List of documents for commercial purposes, 

• Copy of Drone / RPAS Training Certificate. 
• Photos of drones. 

You should carry all the required documents with you while applying when you visit any government authorities office. Better safe than sorrow! 

Also, take the drone training certificate because it will be an important document of achievement to get permission. If you are in Dubai, consider visiting the Sanad Academy for drone training purposes. 

Their website is down, so we included their 

• Linkedin Profile. 
• Number, +971 4 8327772
• Email – register@sanadacademy.ae
• Location

RPAS Pilot Training Program by Expotent is also considered one of the valid ones. Your training certificate should look like this, 

3 Steps to Register for Flying a Drone in The UAE (Except Dubai)

Applying for flying a drone online is pretty easy, we shared the full process below. Oh, one more thing, you will require the UAE Pass to be able to sign up for the GCAA Website. It’s a simple procedure and doesn’t take much time 

Step 1: Signup and Login to the GCAA Website 

Without signing up you will not be able to proceed to the next steps, so consider signing up to the GCAA Website. 

Step 2: Start Your Service 

Now, visit this page to access Services > Search for “Drone”. Click on Start service.

Step 3: Fill in all the Important Information

Now, simply put all the important information in the registration form. Carefully input them because any wrong information will ruin your form. 

Also, keep in mind that it’s a registration process that is only for individual/recreational purposes and is suited for organizations. 

After completing the registration process, wait for 12-13 work days. They will send you the permit in your email account. 

3 Steps to Register for Flying a Drone in The UAE (Exclusive for Dubai)

It’s a bother that the GCAA drone flying permit will not work for Dubai. So, to get a drone flying permit in Dubai, you have to visit the DCAA.

Step 1: Signup and Login to the DCCA Website 

Similar to the GCAA website, you need to log in to the account before proceeding towards the next steps. 

Step 2: Start the Service 

Now, select your desired drone permit option. For this tutorial, we selected the “Application for registration of a drone for personal non-commercial use” and clicked on start service. 

The registration form is identical to the GCAA one with some slight differences. After completing the registration, you have to wait for the approval email. 

On the website, it says instant but consider waiting some time because of official authorization works. 

Here are all their contact links, 

• Email – info@dcaa.gov.ae
• Number – 0097180083222

Registrating for a drone in the UAE can be quite difficult and hassle. You can simplify the process by contacting with the Black Swan consultant team and get all the updated information and manpower you will ever need

2 Steps to Register for Flying a Drone in The UAE (Commercial User) 

To register for flying drones in the UAE, you must first register your drone. After that, follow the steps below for any commercial, professional purpose, or special mission for flying a Drone in the UAE: 

Step 1: Register your Organization and Get Unmanned Aircraft Operator Authorization (UOA)

• Submit a security clearance issued by the GCAA. 
• Fill out the “UA operator registration letter” (the letter should be printed on the company’s letterhead and sent to drones@gcaa.gov.ae)
• Register with the GCAA E-Publications Service and send proof of registration to drones@gcaa.gov.ae (Fee: 1,200 AED)

The approval process usually takes 3 weeks to complete. After that, you need to apply for operational approval. 

Step 2: Apply for Operational Approval

After you receive the UOA from GCAA, you must apply for operational approval in the red zone. 

Please note that if your drone includes recording devices such as a camera, video streaming, etc. You must apply for operational approval regardless of the flying zone (red or green). 

This application and approval process requires 14 working days. 

What are the “No Flying Zones” and “Flying Zones”? 

Most of your drone flying activities will be around the Flying Zones, so consider having an idea about the no-flying zones in the UAE. You can simply track these locations from the My Drone Hub mobile app. 

Here is a detailed map of the 

Image Credit – General Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) 

As you can see, 

• Red ones indicate No Fly Zones. 
• Beige ones indicate No Fly Zones as well. 
• Pink ones are the prohibited areas. 

Simply put, here is the information about all the “No Flying Zones” and “Flying Zones” in a table format. 

Information for “Fly Zones”

Category		No-Fly Zones	Details
1	Airports and Aerodromes	Dubai International Airport (DXB)	Flying near airports poses significant risks and is strictly prohibited.
		Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
		Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
		Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
		Other local airports and aerodromes
2	Military Areas and Restricted Zones	Military bases and installations (Al Dhafra Air Base, Al Minhad Air Base)	Flying drones near military areas is considered a serious security breach.
		Defense-related infrastructure and facilities
3	Government Buildings and Sensitive Sites	Embassies and consulates	Government and critical sites are designated high-security zones. Unauthorized flying can lead to severe penalties.
		Presidential and government buildings
		Critical infrastructure sites (power plants, water treatment facilities)
4	High-Security Zones	Nuclear facilities (Barakah Nuclear Power Plant)	Protecting critical industries from aerial surveillance or interference is a priority.
		Oil refineries, gas facilities, and key industrial complexes
5	Private Properties	Residential areas	Flying over private property requires prior permission to avoid privacy violations.
		Private properties (without prior permission)
6	Coastal Areas and Maritime Zones	Maritime no-fly zones near ports or naval bases	Restrictions apply to areas around maritime ports and naval installations.
7	Special Event Zones	Areas designated for major events (e.g., Dubai Expo, Formula 1 races)	Temporary no-fly zones are established during high-profile events for public safety.

Information for “Fly Zones”

Besides the “No Fly Zones” some small areas of the UAE have drone operation approval. They are, 

• Approved recreational areas.
• Drone parks.
• Desert regions.
• Rural areas.
• Public beach areas (with permission).
• Farmlands and agricultural zones.
• Private land (with prior consent).
• Specially designated event zones (with approval).
• Non-sensitive coastal zones.
• Non-commercial airports (with approval).
• Designated urban flying zones (with permission).

Remember, some other free zones are also selected as “No Fly Zones” in the UAE.

Local Authorities in the UAE who can Help with the Registration

Some local civil aviation authorities are listed below that can help you throughout the process, 

• DCAA (Dubai Civil Aviation Authority) 
• ADCA (Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation Authority) 
• DCA (Department of Civil Aviation Sharjah) 
• FIA (Fujairah International Airport) 
• RAK Airport (Ras Al Khaimah) 

FAQ

Know the Law and Keep Yourself Updated in the UAE

It’s better to be safe than sorry if you want to safely and legally fly a drone in the UAE. 

To keep yourself updated, you must check the GCAA website frequently and follow their social media pages for legitimate updates on drone regulations. 

Drone applications like the ‘My Drone Hub’ app can present information on legal changes and restricted locations. 

To receive straight updates, sign up for the GCAA newsletter. Join seminars, workshops, or industry events to learn about recent laws. This will also help you to speak with insurers and legal professionals. 

Happy flying!