The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that all drone registration certificates issued in the UAE before January 6 will now be deemed invalid. This update was part of significant changes for drone enthusiasts following a partial lift of the individual drone use ban, which was initially announced by the Ministry of Interior on January 7. Drone owners are now required to submit a new application through the UAE Drones app to register their devices.

The announcement on January 7 was met with enthusiasm among photography lovers in the UAE, as the ban had been progressively eased since November 2023. However, it is important to note that this eased restriction does not apply in Dubai. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has stated that the use of drones for recreational purposes remains suspended in the emirate “until further notice.”

In addition to the registration updates, the GCAA specified that drones must be equipped with a remote identification system. Furthermore, the UAE Drones app must be utilized during drone operations. To operate a drone legally, users also need to obtain a training certificate from a GCAA-accredited center and must request a product status statement from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. Compliance with all conditions outlined in the UAE Drones app is mandatory for drone operators.