Destination guides

Traveling with your drone

Researched travel guides — these countries aren't in the full checker yet. Each guide covers whether a tourist can realistically fly, what registration requires, and what happens at customs.

Do not bring your drone to these 11 countries

Import bans, confiscation at the border, and in some countries criminal charges — read this before you pack.

Easy

South AfricaEasyTourists can register

No registration or licence for private recreational use under 7 kg; just operational rules and a national-parks ban.

Doable with prep

BrazilDoable with prepTourists can register

Sub-250 g is trivial; 250 g and above is workable via a consulate-issued CPF plus free SISANT registration.

JapanDoable with prepTourists can register

Registration open to foreigners, but the 100 g threshold, Remote ID, and 2-3 week DID permission lead time rule out spontaneous urban flying.

SingaporeDoable with prepTourists can register

Clear tourist path (UAPass + UABTC + SGD 25) but a 5-working-day lead, Broadcast Remote ID requirement, 60 m ceiling and very little flyable airspace.

South KoreaDoable with prepNo tourist registration

Sub-250 g is workable in permitted zones; 250 g and above is effectively blocked for tourists by Korean-phone identity verification.

TurkeyDoable with prepNo tourist registration

Sub-500 g (all DJI Mini class) is exempt from registration under SHT-İHA; 500 g and above is hard for tourists (Turkish ID wall, conformity letter).

Hard

MexicoHardNo tourist registration

AFAC stated in writing (April 2024) that foreign operators may not fly recreationally at ANY weight, and NOM-107 bars foreign-operated RPAS absent a bilateral agreement; sub-250 g flying is tolerated in practice but not officially sanctioned.

ThailandHardTourists can register

A legal path exists but needs in-country signup with a Thai SIM, dual CAAT + NBTC registration, mandatory insurance and a knowledge test.

VietnamHardNo tourist registration

Sub-250 g is newly legal without permits, but 250 g and above is a per-flight military-permit regime and a customs retention risk remains.

Effectively impossible

United Arab EmiratesEffectively impossibleNo tourist registration

Recreational use is suspended in Dubai 'until further notice'; GCAA registration in the other six emirates is residents-only (Emirates ID).

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change — always verify with the national aviation authority before flying. FlyCheck covers national rules only; local restrictions (airports, parks, cities) also apply.