Can you fly your drone in Hong Kong?
Whether you can fly depends on your drone, your registration and exactly where you fly. Here is what applies: key rules, no-fly zones and the official sources, in one place.
Regulator
Civil Aviation Department (CAD)
Framework
Small Unmanned Aircraft Order (Cap. 448G)
Pilot credential
Remote Pilot Certificate (standard / advanced rating)
KEY RULES
- Max 91 m (300 ft) above ground level for Cat. A2 drones (250 g–7 kg) and registered exempted models up to 250 g; unregistered drones up to 250 g: max 30 m (100 ft)
- Max speed 50 km/h (Cat. A2); unregistered drones up to 250 g max 20 km/h
- Drones over 250 g — and drones up to 250 g flown beyond Cat. A1 limits — must be registered and labelled via the eSUA portal, and the remote pilot (age 14+) must also register on eSUA. Applies to visitors too
- Restrictions near airports in Hong Kong are defined as gazetted Restricted Flying Zones (RFZ) around HKIA and other aerodromes/heliports, shown on the CAD Drone Map — there is no single flat distance. Flying inside an RFZ requires CAD permission, and some areas (e.g. Victoria Harbour) are restricted regardless of distance from any airport.
- No flying over the Prohibition Area near Penny's Bay (e.g. Hong Kong Disneyland) — it is set under separate law and not covered by the CAD Drone Map's RFZ zones
- Keep at least 10 m (≤20 km/h) or 30 m (over 20 km/h, Cat. A2) from uninvolved people, vehicles, vessels and structures; never fly over them
- Daylight only — no night flying without special permission
- Victoria Harbour area is restricted
- Always maintain visual line of sight (VLOS)
- Drones over 250 g must have geo-awareness and a flight log; keep flight logs for 6 months
- Hong Kong has its own rules — NOT mainland China regulations
No-fly zones and restrictions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence or certificate to fly a drone in Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, the credential to know about is the Remote Pilot Certificate (standard / advanced rating). Whether you need it depends on your drone's weight and how you fly — Civil Aviation Department (CAD) runs the scheme, and the official sources below spell out exactly when it applies.
Can I fly a drone as a tourist or foreign visitor in Hong Kong?
Yes — visitors can fly. Drones over 250 g need aircraft and pilot registration on the eSUA portal (a passport is accepted; non-resident registration lasts about six months; the label must be collected in Hong Kong or mailed to a local address such as your hotel). Under 250 g nothing is required within Category A1 limits: about 30 m altitude, 20 km/h, and 10 m from people, outside restricted zones. Rules for foreign pilots can change, so always double-check with Civil Aviation Department (CAD) before you travel, and see the official sources below.
What are the most important drone rules in Hong Kong?
The short version: Max 91 m (300 ft) above ground level for Cat. A2 drones (250 g–7 kg) and registered exempted models up to 250 g; unregistered drones up to 250 g: max 30 m (100 ft). On top of that: Max speed 50 km/h (Cat. A2); unregistered drones up to 250 g max 20 km/h. Also: Drones over 250 g — and drones up to 250 g flown beyond Cat. A1 limits — must be registered and labelled via the eSUA portal, and the remote pilot (age 14+) must also register on eSUA. Applies to visitors too. These are central aviation rules — location-specific airspace, land, nature, privacy and photography requirements can also apply in Hong Kong, so always check the official sources.
Where am I not allowed to fly a drone in Hong Kong?
What you need to avoid are the restricted zones — typically around airports, prisons, military areas and protected nature areas. You'll find the official map for Hong Kong under Sources below, and the DroneKoll app shows current NOTAMs (temporary airspace restrictions) for Hong Kong.
Who regulates drone flying in Hong Kong?
Drone flying in Hong Kong is regulated by Civil Aviation Department (CAD), which handles both the rules and the airspace. Their official pages are linked under Sources below — that is where changes appear first.
Good to know
OFFICIAL SOURCES
- CAD — Small UA regulationsOfficial Civil Aviation Department drone rules and guidance for Hong Kongcad.gov.hk
- eSUA — Registration portalRegister your drone and apply for flight permissions onlineesua.cad.gov.hk
- CAD — Drone MapOfficial drone map showing restricted areas, airports and permitted zonesesua.cad.gov.hk
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Always check official CAD sources before flying. This page is a guide — not a legal authority. Hong Kong has its own drone regulations — mainland China rules do not apply.
The app
The whole picture, up to date — in your pocket
DroneKoll shows weather and current NOTAMs on the map — with a flight log and checklists built in.
More in the app:Interactive zone map · Flight log · Planning & measuring · Pre-flight checklists · Flying abroad
