Asia
Myanmar
DCA — discretionary regime, no formal rules published
Myanmar has not published formal, complete drone rules; the Department of Civil Aviation handles requests case by case, with mandatory registration for tourists before flying.
Tourist flying effectively not allowed
Since 2021 the country has been in a context of widespread conflict, with much of the peripheral territory affected by instability; the main tourist circuits (Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake) remain active, but the overall situation is delicate. Possessing an unregistered drone can carry severe criminal consequences: carefully consider whether and where to bring a drone, and check your country's updated travel advisories before departing.
Foreign tourists' drones must be registered before flying and declared at customs on entry, with a commitment to re-export them.
A permit is required for recreational use; it is unclear whether a formal pilot licence is also needed.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden over the Shwedagon Pagoda, all of Naypyidaw, government/military areas and religious sites.
Verify officially before flying
Source: Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry of Transport and Communications
Last checked: 2026-08
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 Myanmar, the official reference remains Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry of Transport and Communications. Foreign tourists' drones must be registered before flying and declared at customs on entry, with a commitment to re-export them.
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 Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry of Transport and Communications. A permit is required for recreational use; it is unclear whether a formal pilot licence is also needed.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.