Apply for a drone permit

Use this service to get permission from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority to import or fly an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Guyana.

Cost

From GYD 4,000

A permit lasts

1 year

You pay

After document check

Use this service to:

• apply for a UAV permit or flight authorisation
• renew, replace or amend a permit you hold
• get a letter to import a drone
• ask for airspace authorisation within 5 km of an aerodrome or helipad

You need an account to apply. Creating one takes your name and email address.

Before you start

You will need:

• A photo of your National ID card or passport bio page, and the ID or passport number
• Your address, phone number, email address and nationality
• The drone's manufacturer, model and serial number
• A photo of the serial number on the drone
• A photo of the drone
• The drone's weight with batteries, maximum height, maximum speed and maximum flight time
• The type of operation, for example aerial photography, surveying or crop spraying
• Your proposed flight height above ground level

For commercial use, you will also need:

• A public liability insurance certificate
• The UAV manual

For a Letter of Importation, you will also need:

• The detention letter issued by Customs or another authority when the drone arrived

What happens after you apply

1. Create your account

   Sign up and choose Drones Services. GCAA emails you a link to finish setting up.

   You

2. Complete the form and submit

   Six sections, from your details and your drone to the terms. Your application number arrives by email.

   You

3. Document check

   A Drones Operations Officer checks your application. If something is missing, it comes back marked Action Required with a comment.

   GCAA Drones Unit

4. Pay the fee

   GCAA emails the amount due once your documents pass. Pay by MMG+, cash or bank transfer.

   You

5. Security clearance

   The Guyana Police Force reviews the application.

   Guyana Police Force

6. Approval and endorsement

   The Director, Aviation Safety and Security approves. The Director General endorses.

   GCAA

7. Permit issued

   Your permit arrives by email. It carries a QR code that anyone can scan to confirm it is genuine.

   GCAA

Fees

You pay after GCAA has checked your documents. Do not pay before GCAA emails you the amount due.

Amending or replacing a UAV permit costs GYD 4,000.

Rules you agree to

When you apply, you agree to GCAA Directive No. GCAA/ASR/DIR/2017-01 R1. The main limits are:

• 150 m (492 ft). Maximum height above ground level, unless GCAA authorises more.
• 500 m. Keep the drone within this distance of where you stand, unless authorised to fly beyond visual line of sight.
• 400 m. Stay this far from State House, the Office of the President, Parliament, embassies, army camps, police headquarters and prisons.
• 150 m. Stay this far from congested areas and organised open-air assemblies, unless GCAA approves.
• 100 m. Minimum distance from any vessel, vehicle or structure you do not control.
• 50 m (30 m at take-off). Minimum distance from any person. 30 m applies during take-off and landing.

You must not fly at night or in low visibility without explicit authorisation. You need the owner's permission to fly over or near private or public property.

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