Individuals in the UAE are now allowed to use drones starting Tuesday, January 7, as the Ministry of Interior announced the partial lift of the ban.

The authority, along with General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), noted that the use of drones will be subject to specific safety conditions aimed at protecting both the community and the airspace.

The eased restriction, however, doesn't cover Dubai, the emirate's authorities said. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has clarified that the use of drones for recreational purposes remains suspended in the city "until further notice".

The National Authority for Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management (NCEMA) introduced a unified national platform to regulate drone operations. This platform will help oversee the use of drones, following the conditional lifting of the ban for individuals.

Detailed guidelines and requirements for drone use are available through the UAE Drones app and the official government website drones.gov.ae.

This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to enhance quality of life and align with the nation’s "We the UAE 2031" vision, focusing on innovation and technological advancement.

The partial lifting of ban of drone use for individuals is a step in the phased rollout that began on November 25, 2024.

The launch of the first phase was limited to serving companies and government agencies only. It was noted that future phases will be launched later to include other services for drones, such as flying operations for amateur individuals.

In 2022, the Ministry of Interior banned the use of drones and light sports aircraft for “owners, practitioners and enthusiasts” after instances of misuse.