Middle East
Jordan
CARC — prior authorization nearly impossible for casual tourists
In Jordan every drone operator — even for a hobby — must obtain prior authorization from the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Interior, requested at least 10 working days in advance.
Tourist flying effectively not allowed
For casual tourists, applications are usually rejected; an undeclared drone found at customs is seized, with a 'red channel' declaration and a refundable security deposit of about 500 JOD. In 2025 CARC opened up to organized tourism-commercial uses, but not to a simple permit for individual tourists.
Required for everyone, but effectively denied to casual tourists who apply individually.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Seizure at customs if undeclared/unauthorized.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
The prior-authorization requirement is confirmed directly on the official CARC page (the 'Drones Operations Approval Application' form, CARC_Form25-0010); no simplified process for individual tourists was found, despite the 2025 opening to organized tourism-commercial use. The ~500 JOD deposit remains reported only by consistent secondary sources, not by the CARC site.
Verify officially before flying
Source: CARC — Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission
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 Jordan, the official reference remains CARC — Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission. Required for everyone, but effectively denied to casual tourists who apply individually.
Other countries in Middle East
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.