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Resource No. 001 · Licences & Permits

How to fly a drone legally in Qatar

Licences, registration, flight and filming approvals, documents, costs, contacts and flight-day rules under Law No. 10 of 2026, in one workflow.

1
Pilot licence
Training plus a theory and practical test
Qatar R/C Sport Center
2
Drone registration
Every drone, before it flies
QCAA
3
Filming permit
If you shoot photos or video. Apply 15+ days ahead; includes military clearance
Ministry of Culture
4
Operation approval
RPAS: location, altitude, dates; up to 4 working days
QCAA
5
Zone & time check
Authorised areas only · sunrise–9 AM and 2 PM–sunset
Metrash / MOI
Golden rule: do not take off until QCAA has confirmed your registration and your operation is approved, and you have checked the live authorised zone in Metrash that day.
Updated Oct 2026Compiled from official QCAA, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Sports & Youth and Ministry of Interior sources plus Qatari press.
Rules are changing while executive regulations are pending, so confirm with QCAA before applying.
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Doha, Qatar
Business ResourceThe Gateway Library
Resource No. 001
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Address Gateway has helped entrepreneurs, SMEs and global companies set up in Qatar for over a decade. Forming the company is only the first gate. After that come the licences, permits, approvals and renewals that decide whether you can actually operate. The Gateway Library is where we turn that hard-won, on-the-ground knowledge into free, practical guides you can act on.

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Activity-specific approvals, starting with drone operations.
No. 001 · Now live
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Qatar Drone Licence Guide · October 2026addressgateway.com2 / 12
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Overview

The big picture

There is no single "drone licence" in Qatar. A legal flight is a stack of separate approvals from up to four bodies, and which ones you need depends on why you fly.

What changed in 2026

Law No. 10 of 2026 on Unmanned Aircraft

  • Published in the Official Gazette (12th issue of 2026); QCAA now regulates all civil drone activity.2,4
  • QCAA issues and renews licences and operational permits, sets permitted drone types, zones, altitudes and routes, and controls drone import and export.2,13
  • Article 13: anyone who owns a drone must register it with QCAA. Exemptions by type, weight or use will be set by regulation.4
  • Users fall into three categories (individuals, companies, government bodies), each with its own licensing and operating rules.3
Still pending

Executive regulations

QCAA says the executive regulations will be announced through its official channels once issued. Detailed fees, weight thresholds and exemptions may change.3

Practical effect: treat this guide as the current route, but get written confirmation from QCAA (UAS@caa.gov.qa) of exactly which approvals your case needs.

Who does what

Qatar R/C Sport CenterPilot training, theory and practical tests, licence for hobby and commercial pilots (Ministry of Sports & Youth)
QCAA (Civil Aviation)Main regulator: drone registration, operator rules, RPAS operation approval, insurance and drone limits
Ministry of CultureAerial photography and filming licence; routes the request for military approval; artistic production licence (companies)
Ministry of Interior · MetrashPublishes authorised flying zones and daily time windows; enforces violations with QCAA and other authorities
YOU + YOUR DRONEHobby · Commercial · Filming

Roles are drawn from the QCAA FAQ and drone page, the Ministry of Culture filming guide, and the Ministry of Interior announcement of 29 September 2026.1,6,9,10

Contents

Choose your path: decision flowchart4
Document checklists8
Hobby and commercial routes5
Flight-day rules and no-fly zones9
Filming permit and RPAS approval6
Costs, penalties and contacts10
Timeline and lead times7
Email template and action plan11
Sources · 1 caa.gov.qa/en/UA-Drones · 2 QCAA: Law No. 10 of 2026 · 3 The Peninsula: QCAA explains key provisions · 4 ILoveQatar: drone law summary · 6 caa.gov.qa/en/faq · 9 Ministry of Culture filming guide · 10 Qatar Tribune: designated areas · 13 Gulf Times: new law
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Resource No. 001
Step 0

Choose your path

Start at the top and follow the questions. Every path ends at the same pre-flight check.

START Why are you flying? Personal hobby, or for business or clients? HOBBY / PERSONAL COMMERCIAL / CLIENT A. Pilot licence Qatar R/C Sport Center: hobby licence, aircraft registered there B. Register drone With QCAA (mandatory under Article 13 of the 2026 law) A. Qatar-registered company Authorisation letter for activity; max 5 drones per entity B. Pilot licence + insurance Commercial pilot via R/C Center; insurance policy before any flight C. Register every drone QCAA, unmodified configuration Filming or photos? Any camera use from the air YES NO Ministry of Culture filming licence Submit 15+ days before the shoot; military HQ approval comes back Skip filming permit Confirm with QCAA whether an RPAS approval is needed for you QCAA RPAS operation approval Online at aim.gov.qa · up to 4 working days FLY: Metrash zone + permitted time window Sunrise–9:00 AM · 2:00 PM–sunset · approved purpose only
Who can apply: companies must be Qatari-registered.1 The Ministry of Culture filming service is open to Qatari individuals, or to companies holding a valid production licence, so expatriate residents who want to film usually go through a licensed company.9 Visitors face strict limits, so tourists should check before bringing a drone.17
Sources · 1 caa.gov.qa/en/UA-Drones · 4 ILoveQatar: drone law summary · 6 caa.gov.qa/en/faq · 9 Ministry of Culture filming guide · 17 GOV.UK Qatar travel advice
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Steps 1–4

Step-by-step routes

Follow the column that matches your use. If you will film, add the filming steps on the next page.

Hobby / personal route

1
Contact Qatar R/C Sport Center

QCAA's FAQ says amateurs fly through the center after getting a hobby licence and registering the aircraft there.6 Call +974 4427 3131 or the hotline +974 4021 1111.7

2
Train and pass the tests

The course runs about 3 weeks (theory plus practical), followed by theory and practical tests. You can sit the test directly; if you fail, you must take the course first.8

3
Register the drone with QCAA

Every owner must register under Article 13.4 Keep the drone unmodified, since add-ons are not allowed without approval.1

4
Confirm insurance and flight approval

Ask QCAA whether your hobby flights need an RPAS operation approval and insurance (they are required for companies).1

5
Fly in Metrash zones only

Authorised areas and daily windows (page 9).10

Commercial / client route

1
Set up the entity

A Qatari-registered company with all documents, plus a letter of authorisation describing the drone activity. Max 5 drones per entity.1

2
Register company + pilot at R/C Center

Two forms (company and operator), available by calling +974 4427 3131, then the course and tests leading to a commercial pilot licence.8

3
Get sector approvals

Companies need licences from QCAA and from the government body for their sector.3 For filming, that is the Ministry of Culture production licence.8

4
Insure and register each drone

Insurance must be in place before operating.1,3

5
Apply for each operation

Submit an RPAS operation application per project and wait for approval.5

Eligibility at a glance

RequirementIndividualCompany
Minimum age18 years1Pilots must be 18+1
Pilot permit and trainingRequired, with supporting documents8Each designated pilot8
Registration statusDrone registered to owner4Qatari-registered company1
Drone limitConfirmMax 5 drones per entity1
InsuranceConfirm with QCAARequired before operating1
Security background checkRequired8Required for pilots8
Modifications / attachmentsForbidden without approval1
Starting a drone or media company? The commercial route begins with a correctly registered Qatari company and the right activity. Address Gateway can set that up and handle the PRO paperwork.
Sources · 1 caa.gov.qa/en/UA-Drones · 3 The Peninsula: key provisions · 4 ILoveQatar: drone law · 5 aim.gov.qa/rpas/rpasop.php · 6 caa.gov.qa/en/faq · 7 msy.gov.qa: Qatar R/C Sport Center · 8 ILoveQatar: drone licence process · 10 Qatar Tribune
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Filming and operation approval

Filming permit and RPAS approval

For aerial photo or video, the order matters: the Ministry of Culture approval (with military clearance) is an attachment to your QCAA RPAS application.8

1Pilot licenceR/C Sport Center course + tests (about 3 weeks)
2MoC filming requestOnline e-service, free; shoot date 15+ days after submission
3Military approvalMoC forwards details; you receive two approval documents
4QCAA RPASAttach military HQ approval; up to 4 working days
Ministry of Culture

Photography and film shooting licence

  • Online request on the Ministry of Culture portal; no service fee.9
  • Open to Qatari individuals, or companies (or their authorised signatory) with a valid technical production licence.9
  • Choose aerial photography and aircraft type "drone", then enter serial number, aircraft name, flight purpose, area and path.9
  • Shoot start date must be at least 15 days after submission, excluding official holidays.9
  • A new permit is needed for each shoot.8
Companies first need an artistic production licence (QR 5,000) and the right activity code from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.8
QCAA

RPAS operation application

Apply at aim.gov.qa/rpas/rpasop.php; processing can take up to 4 working days; working hours 07:00–14:00.5

Form sectionWhat to enter
ProjectName/description; type: photography, videography, survey, inspection, other8
AircraftDrone or model aircraft8
ApplicantOrganisation, accountable manager, mobile, email, phone8
OperatorPoint of contact, mobile, email8
ActivityCircle (radius + lat/long), line or area; location name; vertical limits; days; dates and times8
AttachmentsMilitary HQ approval and any government request letter (both via MoC)8
Tip: work out your coordinates and maximum altitude before you start the MoC request. The same location data feeds both applications, so keeping it identical avoids rejections.
Sources · 5 aim.gov.qa/rpas/rpasop.php · 8 ILoveQatar: drone licence process · 9 Ministry of Culture filming user guide
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Planning

Timeline and lead times

A first-time commercial filming job takes about six weeks from zero to take-off. Later shoots only need the filming and RPAS steps, so plan at least three weeks ahead.

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Email QCAA, gather documents
2–3 days
R/C Center registration
forms
Pilot course + tests
about 3 weeks (theory + practical), then tests
QCAA drone registration
in parallel; ask QCAA
Insurance policy
in parallel
MoC filming + military
15+ days before shoot date
QCAA RPAS approval
≤4 days
TAKE-OFF ▶

Durations: course length from the ILoveQatar process guide; the 15-day minimum from the Ministry of Culture guide; up to 4 working days from the QCAA RPAS portal. Registration and insurance timings are estimates, so confirm with QCAA.5,8,9

Lead-time cheat sheet

~3 wks
Pilot course

Theory + practical, then tests8

15+ days
Filming permit

Submission to shoot date, excluding holidays9

≤ 4 days
RPAS approval

Working days; portal hours 07:00–14:005

Plan around Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. The Ministry of Culture's 15-day rule excludes official holidays, and RPAS processing counts working days only.5,9
Sources · 5 aim.gov.qa/rpas/rpasop.php · 8 ILoveQatar: drone licence process · 9 Ministry of Culture filming user guide
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Paperwork

Document checklists

Tick off each item before you submit. Scan everything to PDF and name files clearly (for example "DJIMini4-serial.pdf").

Pilot and drone
  • Qatar ID (QID) or passport
  • Mobile number and email
  • Pilot licence / training certificate (R/C Sport Center)8
  • Drone make, model, weight
  • Drone serial number9
  • Photo of the drone9
  • Proof of ownership (invoice)8
  • Confirmation the drone is unmodified1
  • Insurance policy (required for companies)1
Company (commercial)
  • Commercial registration (CR)8
  • Letter of authorisation describing the drone activity1
  • QID of the owner, partners and responsible manager8
  • Trade name certificate (new requests)8
  • Signed business study with company seal8
  • Authorised signatory proof (if a delegate applies)8
  • Municipality licence, establishment card, lease (renewals)8
  • Artistic production licence (for filming)8
  • R/C Center company + operator forms8
Aerial filming
  • Applicant's ID card8
  • Letter to the Director of Publications and Artistic Works8
  • Aerial photography dates8
  • Location approval (landowner or site)8
  • Maps of shooting locations8
  • Flight-zone map and flying-area outline9
  • Pilot's ID and pilot licence9
  • Team IDs / passports8
  • Photo of the camera used9

Flight data sheet (prepare once, reuse everywhere)

FieldExampleUsed in
Location nameAl Wakrah beach, north sectionMoC request · RPAS
GeometryCircle, 300 m radius at 25.17° N, 51.60° ERPAS activity details8
Vertical limitMaximum height above ground (set by QCAA)RPAS8
Dates, times, number of days2 days, 06:30–08:30 (inside the permitted window)MoC · RPAS · Metrash
PurposeReal-estate videography for clientMoC · RPAS8,9
Aircraft identityModel name + serial number + photoMoC · QCAA registration9

Example values are illustrative only. Always use the exact coordinates and limits for your site and check them against Metrash.

Sources · 1 caa.gov.qa/en/UA-Drones · 8 ILoveQatar: drone licence process · 9 Ministry of Culture filming user guide
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Flight day

Flight-day rules

Since 29 September 2026, drones may fly only in designated areas shown in the Metrash app, in two daily windows, and only for the purpose they are licensed for.10

Licensed pilot
+
Registered drone
+
Insurance
+
RPAS approval
+
Filming permit (if filming)
+
Metrash zone + time
=
LEGAL FLIGHT

Permitted daily windows

NIGHT: NO
FLY
NO FLYING 9 AM–2 PM
FLY
NIGHT: NO
00040912141824

Sunrise and sunset positions are illustrative; in Doha they shift by season (sunrise roughly 4:45–6:20 AM, sunset roughly 4:45–6:30 PM). Windows: sunrise until 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM until sunset, in designated areas only.10 The windows do not replace your licence, registration or flight-specific approvals.

Pre-flight checklist

  • Open Metrash and confirm the authorised zone for today10
  • Time is within sunrise–9 AM or 2 PM–sunset10
  • RPAS approval covers this location, date, time and altitude5
  • Filming permit on hand (if filming)9
  • Pilot licence, QID and drone registration carried
  • Insurance certificate valid1
  • Drone unmodified; firmware, batteries and props checked1
  • Flight matches the licensed purpose only10
  • No identifiable people filmed without consent17

Never fly near

  • Commercial airports12
  • Densely populated residential areas12
  • Sensitive government sites12
  • Key national infrastructure12
  • Military, security and border areas
  • Qatar Museums heritage and archaeological sites without written approval (infoheritage@qm.org.qa)14
Privacy: taking or sharing images of people without consent can lead to prison or a fine of up to QR 100,000.17
Sources · 1 caa.gov.qa/en/UA-Drones · 5 aim.gov.qa RPAS · 9 MoC filming guide · 10 Qatar Tribune: designated areas · 12 QBS Radio: no-fly zones · 14 Qatar Museums visitor guidelines · 17 GOV.UK Qatar advice
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Budget, risk and contacts

Costs, penalties and contacts

Known fees

ItemQAR
R/C Center company registration (per year)5,000
R/C Center pilot course3,500
Direct test without course1,000
Pilot licence issuance1,000
MoC artistic production licence (issue or renew)5,000
MoC licence edit or transfer100
MoC photography / filming requestFree
QCAA registration and RPASAsk QCAA

Fees as reported by ILoveQatar and the Ministry of Culture guide; confirm before paying.8,9

Penalties under Law No. 10 of 2026

7 yrs
Max prison
QR 300k
Max fine

Specified violations carry up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine of up to QR 300,000, or both.11

Administrative actions after notice: a warning, licence or permit suspension for up to 3 months (longer for repeat offences), or closure of a company, establishment or club for up to 15 days.11 MOI also warns of legal action for flying outside zones or times.10

Official contacts

QCAA UAS / Drone unitRegistration, requirements, RPAS
PHONE
+974 4455 7229
EMAIL
UAS@caa.gov.qa
WEB
caa.gov.qa/en/UA-Drones
OFFICE
Old Salata, P.O. Box 3000, Doha · +974 4455 7333 · +974 4455 7103 · pr@caa.gov.qa1
QCAA RPAS portalOperation application
APPLY
aim.gov.qa/rpas/rpasop.php
TIMING
Up to 4 working days · hours 07:00–14:005
Qatar R/C Sport CenterPilot training, tests, hobby licence
HOTLINE
+974 4021 1111
PHONE
+974 4427 3131 · +974 5996 0808
EMAIL
info@qrcsc.com
WEB
msy.gov.qa R/C center page · qrcsc.com training7,15
Ministry of CultureAerial photo / film licence
GUIDE
Photography & filming licence user guide9
PORTAL
e-services at e.moc.gov.qa
Ministry of InteriorAuthorised zones
APP
Metrash: check authorised drone areas before every flight10
LAW
QCAA Law No. 10 of 2026 · full Arabic text (Al Meezan)2,16
Sources · 1 caa.gov.qa/en/UA-Drones · 2 QCAA law page · 5 aim.gov.qa RPAS · 7 msy.gov.qa · 8 ILoveQatar guide · 9 MoC guide · 10 Qatar Tribune · 11 Qatar Tribune: penalties · 15 qrcsc.com · 16 Al Meezan law text
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Get started

Your first move

Because the executive regulations are still pending, the fastest route is to get QCAA to confirm in writing exactly which approvals apply to you.

To: UAS@caa.gov.qa  ·  Subject: Drone registration and operating approval: requirements confirmation

Dear QCAA UAS Team,

I would like to register and legally operate a drone in Qatar and would appreciate confirmation of the current requirements under Law No. 10 of 2026.

  • Applicant: [Full name / company name, QID or CR number]
  • Drone: [Make and model], weight [g], serial number [xxxx]
  • Intended use: [Hobby / aerial photography / commercial client work]
  • Proposed locations: [Area names in Doha or coordinates]
  • Pilot status: [R/C Sport Center licence held / in progress]

Could you please confirm: (1) the registration procedure and fees, (2) whether an RPAS operation approval is required for this use, (3) insurance requirements, and (4) any additional approvals needed.

Kind regards,
[Name] · [Mobile] · [Email]

Action plan

WhenActionWho / where
Day 1Send the email above and call the R/C Sport Center to ask about course dates and formsUAS@caa.gov.qa · +974 4427 3131
Week 1Collect documents (page 8); company users confirm the CR activity and the authorisation letterYour company / MoCI
Weeks 2–4Complete the course and tests; register the drone; arrange insuranceR/C Center · QCAA · insurer
T-15 daysFilming jobs: submit the MoC photography request with maps and pilot documentse.moc.gov.qa
T-5 daysSubmit the RPAS operation application with the military HQ approval attachedaim.gov.qa/rpas
Flight dayCheck the Metrash zone, fly inside the time window and the approved purpose onlyMetrash app
Keep a compliance folder (cloud plus phone) with your licence, registration, insurance, each job's RPAS approval and filming permit. Carry it on every flight.
Disclaimer: summarises official and press sources current to 19 October 2026; not legal advice. Rules may change when the executive regulations are issued, so confirm with QCAA before applying or flying.
Sources · 1 caa.gov.qa/en/UA-Drones · 3 The Peninsula: key provisions · 5 aim.gov.qa RPAS · 8 ILoveQatar guide · 9 MoC guide · 10 Qatar Tribune
Qatar Drone Licence Guide · October 2026addressgateway.com11 / 12
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The Gateway Library · Resource No. 001 · Licences & Permits · October 2026