Asia
Hong Kong
CAD — Small Unmanned Aircraft Order (2022), eSUA portal
Hong Kong has a mature system with a dedicated legislative order and a digital portal (eSUA) for registering drones and pilots, including a specific path for non-resident visitors valid for up to 6 months.
About 300 feet, except with specific authorization.
Mandatory from 250 g upward via the eSUA portal; a certificate valid for a maximum of 6 months is available for non-resident visitors.
No separate licence is needed, but remote pilot registration via eSUA is required.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Victoria Harbour is a permanently forbidden zone for all drone categories; ban within 5 km of any airport.
Verify officially before flying
Source: Civil Aviation Department (CAD), Hong Kong
Last checked: 2026-08
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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 Hong Kong, the official reference remains Civil Aviation Department (CAD), Hong Kong, also via eSUA. Mandatory from 250 g upward via the eSUA portal; a certificate valid for a maximum of 6 months is available for non-resident visitors.
How this usually works
Even where an exam isn't formally required, most aviation authorities still recommend a basic safety course: rules change often, and flying without the basics is a real risk even without a legal obligation. The exam and certificate are handled by Civil Aviation Department (CAD), Hong Kong, also via eSUA. No separate licence is needed, but remote pilot registration via eSUA is required.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.