Oceania
Samoa
MWTI — RPAS Part 101 & UAS Operator Part 102
Samoa requires a permit from the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI) for every drone operation, recreational or commercial, requested at least 7 working days before the flight.
A permit issued by MWTI is required for both recreational and commercial use, with an application including ID, drone photos, weight and planned flight path; fee WST 100 (recreational) or WST 200 (commercial/other use) per drone. Application required at least 7 working days ahead, minimum 5 working days processing.
No separate pilot certificate appears to be required for recreational use in the official documentation consulted; a commercial licence is instead required for non-recreational operators.
Mandatory for commercial operators and for any operation within 4 km of an aerodrome, even recreational.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Flight path boundaries must be declared if operating within 4 km of an aerodrome. Drones above 25 kg or operations within 4 km of an aerodrome require a detailed 'Exposition' (operations manual) under rule 102.11.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the official MWTI document 'RPAS Part 101 & Unmanned Aircraft Operator Part 102 (Drone) Permit Application Requirements', revision 12 dated 24 October 2025. No numeric maximum altitude stated in the document consulted.
Verify officially before flying
Source: MWTI — Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Samoa
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 Samoa, the official reference remains MWTI — Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Samoa. A permit issued by MWTI is required for both recreational and commercial use, with an application including ID, drone photos, weight and planned flight path; fee WST 100 (recreational) or WST 200 (commercial/other use) per drone. Application required at least 7 working days ahead, minimum 5 working days processing.
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 MWTI — Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Samoa. No separate pilot certificate appears to be required for recreational use in the official documentation consulted; a commercial licence is instead required for non-recreational operators.
Other countries in Oceania
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.