What are the drone laws in Hong Kong?
Both commercial and recreational users must be aware of the regulations and restrictions for both types of drones, as mentioned earlier.
90m max height
Don't fly over crowds
Don't fly near airports
no night flying
This is a guide for Hong Kong drone laws in 2023 (updated every year) where you'll get a clue about what you can or shouldn't do while flying and traveling through this country.
Yes. Hong Kong civil aviation authority has laid out some guidelines for users. The price drop in drones has seen more users embrace the sport. Safety has become a major consideration for drone users in Hong Kong influencing both commercial and recreational drone pilots.
However, there are some rules for both recreational and commercial drones that every pilot needs to follow. Depending on the weight of your drone, and its type, you will either need to apply for a permit or just register it.
In case of emergency, there are some contacts that you can use which are given below:
Contact information
You can get in touch with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Authority at
Email uas@cad.gov.hk
Phone: +852 2910 6352
Both commercial and recreational users must be aware of the regulations and restrictions for both types of drones, as mentioned earlier.
Maximum weight for take-off
Aircraft weighing over 7kg need authorization before taking off.
No flying near airports
Drones must maintain a 5 Km distance from the following areas: Hong Kong International Airport, Shek Kong, Victoria Harbor, Tai Lam Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi Island, and the North Lantau coast.
Stay clear of people and property
Maintain a healthy 50m distance from vehicles, vessels, persons, or structures.
Height limit of 150m
Do not fly your drone above 150 meters. Fly within the airport control zone but maintain a 3 Km distance away from the runways. The maximum distance of flight is 50 meters. Do not fly your drone above a crowd of people. Always maintain a 50-meter gap.
No delivery
Do not carry any object and drop it.
Drone insurance
Drone insurance is tailored for commercial users only.
No night flying
Do not fly at night unless your drone has lighting
For those who are willing to use their drone for commercial applications such as aerial photography, wedding photography, or any other type of business, you will need to obtain a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority.
The process of the application might sound a bit difficult but in reality, it is quite simple. However, there are multiple steps that you need to go through while obtaining a permit.
You can get the online form requesting permission to fly your drone in Hong Kong.
Ok so far, you've learned about various legal aspects of drones in Hong Kong. But one question still lingers, can you actually fly a drone over someone's house or property?
The answer is no, you cannot.
You might be thinking that since there are no specific laws on this topic, it should be allowed. However, there are other regulations that make it illegal.
For instance, the law states that you cannot fly your drone within 50 meters of any person, structure, or vehicle. This means that if you are flying your drone over someone's house, yard, or balcony, you are breaking the law.
Not to mention, it is considered an invasion of privacy and can be considered harassment. So, to answer the question, no, you cannot fly your drone over someone's property in Hong Kong.
According to the law, there are three different categories of drones which include:
The first type is A1, and these drones usually weigh under 250 grams. If your drone falls under this category, then you do not need a permit to fly it.
However, you will still need to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the law. For instance, you cannot fly your drone near airports or in built-up areas.
The second category is A2, and these drones usually weigh between 250 grams to 7 kgs. If your drone falls under this category, then you will need a permit to fly it.
The last category is B, and these drones usually weigh more than 7 kgs. If your drone falls under this category, then you will need a permit to fly it. Apart from that, you will also need to register your drone and specify the purpose of the flight.
In addition, you will also need to get a certificate of registration and a certificate of airworthiness. These certificates can be obtained from the Civil Aviation Department.
The registration process is something most people are usually worried about. But, in reality, it is not as difficult as it seems.
Step 1 – Create an account on the eSUA website.
Step 2 – Register yourself as a remote pilot.
Step 3 – Register your drone or drones.
However, it should be remembered that SUAs weighing less than 250g, such as the DJI Mini drones, do not need to be registered or supervised.
If your SUA is more than 250g, you must register yourself and the drone. So, let's take a closer look at these three steps.
The first thing that you need to do is to create an account on the ESUA portal. You will need to provide your email address, name, and contact number. Once you have created an account, you will be given a user ID and password.
The second step is to register yourself as a remote pilot. For this, you will need to login into your account on the ESUA website and click on the "Apply for Registration" button.
Then, you will need to fill out the application form and submit it. Once your application has been approved, you will be given a remote pilot certificate.
You will need to be above 14 years old and pass an online exam to obtain the certificate.
Registration of the drone is also important for some categories. So, the third step is to register your drone. For this, you will need to login into your account on the ESUA website and click on the "Register a Drone" button.
You must, first and foremost, complete an application form and submit the necessary documents. You will be given a registration certificate after your application has been accepted.
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