Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Drone registration in Saudi Arabia is managed through the official GACA UAS Portal. Individuals and companies create a profile, complete the required verification, wait for profile approval, then submit a new unmanned-aircraft request in the category that applies to the intended operation. The portal is the official source for the current registration conditions, fees, documents, permits, and status updates.
Whether you are preparing a recreational or enterprise drone operation, start with the current requirements shown in the GACA UAS Portal. At NineTenths, we help organisations prepare for compliant enterprise drone deployment by clarifying the operating use case, aircraft configuration, team readiness, training needs, and the information needed for a practical application. GACA remains responsible for registration decisions, permits, and current regulatory requirements.
This 2026 guide explains the current portal workflow for drone registration in Saudi Arabia, the difference between the published operational categories, renewal, Remote Pilot Certificate guidance, and the questions to prepare before operating an unmanned aircraft.
Quick answer: Create an Individual or Company profile through the GACA UAS Portal, complete the login and profile process through Nafath, wait for approval, select New Unmanned Aircraft, choose the applicable operating category, complete the online request, and follow any payment or status instructions issued in your portal account.
Key Takeaways
- The official starting point for drone registration in Saudi Arabia is the GACA UAS Portal, which serves individuals and companies.
- The portal publishes an Open category for unmanned aircraft up to 24.99 kg and a Specific category for unmanned aircraft up to 150 kg; category-specific requirements are shown during the request process.
- A drone registration certificate is valid for one year from approval, according to the current GACA UAS Portal FAQ.
- For the Open category, the Remote Pilot Certificate process is available in the portal and includes an online knowledge test.
- Do not rely on old blog posts for fees, documents, operational limitations, or approval timelines; confirm them in the current portal flow for the relevant category.
Table of contents
- What the GACA UAS Portal currently covers
- What does GACA Part 107 mean for drone operators?
- How to Register a Drone with GACA in Saudi Arabia
- What to check after you register
- NineTenths: Innovation & Trusted Expertise in Drone Operations
- Frequently Asked Questions About Drone Registration in Saudi Arabia
What the GACA UAS Portal currently covers
The GACA UAS Portal is the official digital starting point for individuals and companies registering drones for recreational or commercial use in Saudi Arabia. It also provides relevant services for operator permits, Remote Pilot Certificates, renewal, category changes, and customs-clearance requests when applicable.
Because requirements depend on the aircraft, the operator type, the selected category, and the intended activity, the portal request is more reliable than a generic checklist copied from an old article. Use it to confirm the current fields, supporting documents, fees, and conditions shown for your request.
Open and Specific categories: the published starting point
The current GACA UAS Portal identifies two operational categories during the new-aircraft request process.
| Published category | Aircraft weight stated by the GACA UAS FAQ | What to do |
| Open | Up to 24.99 kg | Select the category in the portal and follow the request-specific requirements. |
| Specific | Up to 150 kg | Select the category in the portal and complete the additional category-specific requirements shown in the request. |
Do not assume that an aircraft weight alone determines every operating requirement. The intended operation, applicant profile, and portal instructions matter. If an organisation is planning complex or enterprise activity, it should confirm the relevant process through the official portal before deployment.
What does GACA Part 107 mean for drone operators?
GACAR Part 107 – Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems is the official GACA regulation page for non-recreational civil small unmanned-aircraft systems. People searching for a GACA 107 license are often looking for the compliance path around non-recreational drone operations, but aircraft registration, Remote Pilot Certificate requests, and category-specific actions are managed through the GACA UAS Portal.
For current official reading, use GACA’s AC 107-01: Advanced Operations with Unmanned Aircraft Systems and AC 107-02: Remote Pilot Certification. Always check the current GACA source and the portal workflow rather than relying on a copied license checklist.
How to Register a Drone with GACA in Saudi Arabia
Step-by-Step Guide
How to Register a Drone with GACA in Saudi Arabia
Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Create an Individual or Company profile
Visit the official GACA UAS Portal. Select Individual or Company, choose Login/Register, and complete the identity flow through Nafath using the National ID. Complete the profile-registration form and follow the instructions shown on screen.
- Step 2: Wait for profile approval and log in
After submitting the profile, wait for the GACA notification sent by email or SMS. Once the profile is approved, return to the GACA UAS Portal and log in to the account.
- Step 3: Start a New Unmanned Aircraft request
From the portal homepage, select New Unmanned Aircraft. Choose the operational category that applies to the aircraft and intended activity: Open for drones up to 24.99 kg or Specific for drones up to 150 kg. Complete the request form using the current portal requirements.
- Step 4: Submit the request and follow portal instructions
Review the application, submit it, and monitor the request status in the portal. If the status shows Waiting for Payment, complete the applicable payment through the process provided by GACA. Do not publish or rely on a fixed fee amount, because the portal determines the applicable request and payment requirement.
- Step 5: Manage approval, renewal, and compliant operation
Once GACA approves the registration request, keep the registration record and any issued certificate in the account. The current GACA UAS FAQ states that the registration certificate is valid for one year from approval. Before its expiry, use My Drones and select Renew to review the current renewal conditions and submit the request.
These steps ensure safe, compliant, and legal drone operations in Saudi Arabia.
What to check after you register
Remote Pilot Certificate for the Open category
For an Open-category Remote Pilot Certificate, log in to the GACA UAS Portal and open the Remote Pilot Certificate section from the top menu. Create a new certificate request and complete the required online knowledge test. After successful completion, the certificate is made available in the account. Confirm category-specific conditions directly in the portal before operating.
Changing an aircraft category
If you need to move a registered drone from one operational category to another, the current GACA UAS FAQ instructs users to submit a de-registration request first. After GACA approves it, create a new registration request, choose the desired category, complete its requirements, and pay any applicable fees.
Customs clearance for an imported drone
If customs clearance is needed, the GACA UAS FAQ states that the drone must first be registered and approved in the account. The applicant must also be registered on the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) platform. The customs-clearance request is started from the approved drone record and requires the applicable customs documents.
NineTenths: Innovation & Trusted Expertise in Drone Operations
NineTenths helps organisations prepare for compliant enterprise drone deployment by clarifying the operating use case, the required aircraft and payload, team readiness, training needs, and the information needed for a practical portal application. The final registration decision, permit requirements, certificate requirements, and approval timelines always remain with GACA and the current GACA UAS Portal process.
Before submitting a GACA application, document the intended operational mission. Aerial surveying and mapping, specialised aerial inspection, public-safety operations, and professional drone training can each require different aircraft configurations, team preparation, and supporting information for the official registration process.
Summing Up:
Drone registration with GACA is not a one-time formality. It is part of preparing an aircraft, operator, operating category, and working process for safe and compliant use in Saudi Arabia. The most reliable approach is to start in the official GACA UAS Portal, follow the category-specific instructions presented in the current request, and keep the registration record current through renewal.
For enterprise programmes, combine the official registration process with a clear operating use case, suitable aircraft configuration, trained personnel, and a practical support plan. Contact NineTenths to discuss the operational requirements behind a planned drone deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drone Registration in Saudi Arabia
Start at the official GACA UAS Portal. Select Individual or Company, choose Login/Register, complete the identity and profile process, wait for profile approval, and then create a New Unmanned Aircraft request.
Use the approved account and its My Drones section to create and manage the applicable registration record for each aircraft. Follow the current portal request flow and provide the information required for the specific aircraft.
The current GACA UAS Portal FAQ states that the registration certificate is valid for one year from the date of approval. Submit a renewal request before the expiry date through My Drones.
The GACA UAS Portal provides an Open-category Remote Pilot Certificate process. Applicants log in, open the Remote Pilot Certificate section, create a request, and complete the required online knowledge test. Confirm the conditions that apply to the intended operation in the portal.
No. GACAR Part 107 is GACA’s official regulatory reference for non-recreational civil small UAS operations. Drone registration, category-specific requests, and the current Remote Pilot Certificate workflow are handled through the GACA UAS Portal. Read the official Part 107 and AC 107-02 pages alongside the portal before treating any article as a complete license checklist.
Submit a de-registration request for the currently registered drone and wait for GACA approval. Then submit a new aircraft-registration request, select the desired category, complete the category-specific requirements, and pay any applicable fees.
No. According to the GACA UAS Portal FAQ, customs clearance requires a registered and approved drone in the account. The applicant must also be registered on the ZATCA platform and submit the relevant customs documents through the approved drone record.
Need expert guidance for drone registration in Saudi Arabia?
Contact NineTenths today for free consultancy, step-by-step support, and practical solutions to keep your drone operations fully compliant
