Asia
China
CAAC — 'real name' registration (UAS/UOM)
China requires mandatory 'real name' registration of every civilian drone through the CAAC platforms, a process made very complex for tourists because it requires SMS verification with a Chinese (+86) phone number. From 1 May 2026, the drone must also be activated via the UOM app before takeoff. In Beijing the crackdown is far more drastic: from 15 November 2026 a new municipal regulation bans not just flying but also possessing, storing or transporting a drone anywhere in the city — owners must sell, scrap or ship their drone out of the city before that date.
Tourist flying effectively not allowed
In Beijing drones are now banned outright: from 15 November 2026 it is forbidden to even possess or carry one in the city, not just fly it — a tourist cannot bring one in even switched off in a suitcase. Elsewhere in China, a foreign tourist without a Chinese phone number and without local contacts can hardly complete registration. Tibet and Xinjiang carry a very high risk of seizure/detention even just for possessing a drone.
Widely reported as the general limit, but not confirmed in a single complete regulatory text in this research.
Via the uas.caac.gov.cn / uom.caac.gov.cn platforms, with SMS verification on a Chinese phone number; requires a passport for foreigners.
Not required for recreational use below certain weight/altitude thresholds; required for commercial operations.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden zones around airports, military bases, borders, government buildings. In Beijing, from 15 November 2026, the entire municipal territory becomes controlled airspace: flying, possessing, storing and transporting drones are all banned, with no exception for tourists — the new regulation replaces the previous transit-only ban in force since 1 May 2026. Tibet and Xinjiang strongly discouraged.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
The general framework is confirmed by an official CAAC source, but several 2026 details (updated weight thresholds, the total Beijing ban from 15 November) come from widely-corroborated news reporting rather than a single regulatory text consulted directly: re-check close to your travel date.
Verify officially before flying
Source: CAAC — Civil Aviation Administration of China
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For China, the official reference remains CAAC — Civil Aviation Administration of China, also via UOM (Unmanned Operation Management). Via the uas.caac.gov.cn / uom.caac.gov.cn platforms, with SMS verification on a Chinese phone number; requires a passport for foreigners.
How this usually works
Here the requirement depends on factors like the drone's weight, distance from people, or use case (recreational vs. commercial). The note above describes the most common case: if your situation is different, check the official source to see exactly which scenario applies to you before flying. The exam and certificate are handled by CAAC — Civil Aviation Administration of China, also via UOM (Unmanned Operation Management). Not required for recreational use below certain weight/altitude thresholds; required for commercial operations.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.