In short: commercial drone filming in Dubai needs aviation approvals and a filming permit. The drone and operator are registered for Dubai with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), every flight needs a DCAA no-objection certificate (1,500 for a one-time commercial flight, 5,000 for an event), and the footage needs a Dubai Film and TV Commission aerial permit, which has no location fee. Flights in the basic category are capped at 400 ft.
Last checked against official DCAA, GCAA and DFTC pages: 24 September 2026.
People search "drone permit Dubai" as if one stamp covers the sky. It does not. A commercial aerial shot in Dubai involves the aviation side, which decides whether the drone may fly, and the film side, which decides whether the footage may be taken. Neither replaces the other, and flying without both is expensive.
Three approvals, not one
- The operator and pilots: federal drone services have moved from the General Civil Aviation Authority's own portal to the UAE Drones platform, where an organisation registers and then registers each commercial pilot.
- The drone and the flight in Dubai: the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority registers commercial drones for the emirate, and each flight needs a DCAA no-objection certificate (NOC). DCAA's regulation says operating without a valid NOC violates Law No. (4) of 2020.
- The footage: the Dubai Film and TV Commission issues aerial filming permits, applied for by a UAE-licensed production company or broadcaster.
Some flights need more: DCAA's regulation mentions Ministry of Defence approval for filming, and Dubai Air Navigation Services approval above 400 ft or in controlled airspace.
Step by step
- Choose a registered operator. Use a drone company whose organisation and pilots are registered, with the drone registered in Dubai.
- Plan the shots and the site. Location, altitude, time of day and whether the flight is near people, roads or airports.
- Apply for the DCAA NOC. A one-time commercial NOC for a single job, or an event NOC for filming or shows at an event.
- Apply for the DFTC aerial permit. Through the licensed production company, with the rest of the filming file.
- Schedule and fly. Approved flights are scheduled and tracked in DCAA's DMS app, within the approved area and height.
Official fees
| Item | Issued by | Official fee |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial drone registration in Dubai (valid 1 year, Dubai only) | DCAA | 500, plus two 10 service fees |
| One-time commercial flight NOC (valid 24 hours) | DCAA | 1,500 per transaction |
| Event drone NOC (filming, photography or shows at an event) | DCAA | 5,000 |
| Organisation registration on UAE Drones | UAE Drones platform | AED 5,000 after approval |
| Commercial pilot registration | UAE Drones platform | AED 100 per pilot |
| Aerial filming permit | DFTC | AED 0 location fee, up to 7 days, plus the AED 520 processing fee |
DCAA's service pages list their amounts without a currency; UAE government fees are charged in dirhams. The DFTC fine for aerial filming without permission is AED 20,000.
Where and how high
DCAA's drone regulation caps the basic commercial category at 122 m (400 ft) above ground, in uncontrolled airspace. It prohibits flights over military areas and prohibited, restricted or danger areas, requires a safety distance from airports, heliports and airfields, and rules out continuous flight over pedestrian paths, motorways and metro or tram lines. DCAA publishes a drone map of Dubai's zones.
Who flies
Commercial flights are flown by registered pilots working for a registered organisation. Visiting productions normally hire a local drone company that already holds the registrations, rather than bringing a drone in a suitcase; the Abu Dhabi Film Commission gives the same advice for its emirate. We do not publish a price for a drone day: that belongs to the operator you book, on top of the official fees above.
Hobby flying is different
Recreational flying in Dubai is allowed only for registered pilots with registered drones, in DCAA-approved zones such as Al Qudra Desert, Jumeirah Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Bluewaters, Al Safa Park and Dubai Design District. A DCAA directive of December 2025 limits hobby drones to under 2.5 kg and within visual line of sight up to 500 m. Anything paid, branded or crewed is commercial work, not a hobby flight.
Questions
- Do I need a permit to film with a drone in Dubai?
- Yes, for commercial filming: a registered operator and drone, a DCAA no-objection certificate for the flight, and a DFTC aerial filming permit for the footage.
- How much does a drone permit cost in Dubai?
- DCAA lists 1,500 for a one-time commercial flight NOC valid 24 hours and 5,000 for an event NOC, plus drone registration. The DFTC aerial filming permit has no location fee, only the AED 520 processing fee. The operator's own fee is separate.
- Can I fly my own drone for a paid shoot in Dubai?
- Not as a tourist or hobbyist. Paid work needs a registered commercial operator and pilot, a Dubai-registered drone and a flight NOC.
- How high can a drone fly in Dubai?
- DCAA's regulation caps the basic commercial category at 122 m (400 ft), in uncontrolled airspace; higher flights need further approvals.
- Can I fly a drone at a wedding in Dubai?
- DCAA's one-time commercial NOC is aimed at occasions such as weddings and private parties, and is valid for 24 hours. The drone must be flown by a registered operator.
Ready when you are.