# Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Service licence in the UAE > Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Service licensing in the UAE — the authority catalogue rows we hold for this line, the approvals attached to them, and where the activity can be filed. - Canonical: https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/unmanned-aerial-vehicle-drone-service - Updated: 2026-09-05 - IFZA (Dubai): 5229014 - Dubai mainland (DET): 5229014 - Regulation: Regulator approval required - Method: https://dubaisetupindex.com/methodology ## What the authority says Includes firms operating unmanned (UAV) and drones to provide various aerial services, such as, aerial photography, aerial advertising, air show, photogrammetry, Inspection, surveillance, spraying seeds and fertilizer, wildlife protection, weather forecasting, firefighting..etc. Source: IFZA activity catalogue. ## Where you can licence this | Authority | Status | Code | Licence type | Approval | Facility | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | [IFZA (Dubai)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ifza) | Listed | 5229014 | Professional | Required before the licence issues | Not restricted in the catalogue | | [Ajman Free Zone](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ajman) | Not listed under this name | — | — | — | — | | [Dubai mainland (DET)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/mainland) | Listed | 5229014 | Professional | Not stated | Not restricted in the catalogue | Catalogue evidence, not legal advice. Authorities change activity lists without notice — confirm before you file. ## Routes that list this activity - [IFZA (Dubai)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/free-zones/ifza) — Dubai address, available with Dubai Setup Index. From, no visa: AED 12,900 (12 months · calculator output) - [Dubai mainland (DET)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/mainland) — Onshore trading rights, Ejari premises. From, no visa: AED 14,000 (Licence only · plus 5% of rent) A route listing the activity is a starting point. The authority confirms eligibility when you apply. ## Facility and premises restrictions - IFZA (Dubai) 5229014 note: This activity is not allowed for Freezone companies when operating in restricted areas - for other areas, it will require DCAA & SIRA approvals. ## Third-party approvals ### Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) Before licence · IFZA (Dubai) Authority’s process note: DCAA approval must be obtained before the license issuance; this means that you will submit the application. Once the required documents are generated in the final stage (after the license application passes the security check), we will send the documents across to apply for the approval. The client must create an account and apply for NOC online https://www.dcaa.gov.ae/services/aviation-related-activities/issuing-permit Required documents from IFZA are: 1- Initial approval (or trade license if it’s an existing company), 2- 2- TPA Letter Please make sure that the approval is addressed to: Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, not IFZA. Duration: 1-3 working days. Charge: 6,520AED/activity. Renewable every year with the same fees. [Approval documents](https://ifza.link/1fo3UJ) ### Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) Before licence · IFZA (Dubai) Authority’s process note: The approval is required from Security Industry Regulatory Agency (previously named protection system management) after license issuance for the first time. For SIRA approvals, we would recommend you approach a SIRA registered agent (Jahangir 056 902 2737 /055 525 5273) who will be assisting you to obtain the approval. Approval is renewable every year. Fees determined by SIRA. [Approval documents](https://ifza.link/ee26QX) ## Free zone or mainland - IFZA lists this activity; Ajman Free Zone does not carry it under the same name, so confirm the Ajman catalogue before switching lanes. - Dubai mainland under DET lets you invoice UAE mainland clients directly, but it expects Ejari-registered premises and runs longer than a free-zone desk package. - Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) clearance is required before the licence issues, which breaks any advertised same-week timeline. - IFZA (Dubai) notes: This activity is not allowed for Freezone companies when operating in restricted areas - for other areas, it will require DCAA & SIRA approvals. ## Also catalogued elsewhere The same activity name appears in other authority catalogues we track. This is a name match, not a legal equivalence, and Dubai Setup Index does not file in these zones. - DMCC: 6309-99 · Service - Meydan Free Zone: 5229.92 ## Related activities - [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drone) Exporting, Selling & Maintenance & Spare Parts](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/unmanned-aerial-vehicles-drone-exporting-selling-and-maintenance-and-spare-parts) — IFZA (Dubai) · Dubai mainland (DET) - [Aerial photography services](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/aerial-photography-services) — IFZA (Dubai) · Dubai mainland (DET) - [Military Drones Equipping and their parts](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/military-drones-equipping-and-their-parts) — Dubai mainland (DET) - [Aerial Advertising Services](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/aerial-advertising-services) — Dubai mainland (DET) - [Military Unmanned Aircraft Trade and its parts](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/military-unmanned-aircraft-trade-and-its-parts) — Dubai mainland (DET) - [Military Drones Repair and Maintenance and its parts](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/military-drones-repair-and-maintenance-and-its-parts) — Dubai mainland (DET) ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I add more activities to a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Service licence later? Usually yes, as a licence amendment, subject to the authority's rules and any extra approval attached to the new line. ### Does this activity need third-party approval? Yes. Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) must clear the activity before the licence issues, so build that step into your timeline. ## Related - [All business activities](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities) - [Compare setup routes](https://dubaisetupindex.com/compare) - [How company setup works](https://dubaisetupindex.com/how-it-works) ## Machine-readable - [Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Service record (JSON)](https://dubaisetupindex.com/data/activities/unmanned-aerial-vehicle-drone-service.json) ## Citation Required when quoting any figure from this page. Copy one of these verbatim — the link is not optional. Dubai Setup Index. “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Service licence in the UAE.” Updated 2026-09-05. https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/unmanned-aerial-vehicle-drone-service [Dubai Setup Index](https://dubaisetupindex.com/activities/unmanned-aerial-vehicle-drone-service). “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Service licence in the UAE.” Updated 2026-09-05. Quoting any figure from this record requires a resolvable link to url. Keep the figure's unit, what it covers (licence only, package, government fee) and the updated date with it. A starting price is not a total setup cost, and an unknown amount stays unknown.