Remote Pilot Licence (Drone Licence) in Pakistan
In Pakistan you need a Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) from the PCAA to fly any drone over 250 g. Drones of 250 g or less, such as the DJI Mini 2 SE or DJI Neo, do not need a licence, though they still need registration. This guide explains who needs the RPL, the requirements reported under the Civil Unmanned Aircraft Rules 2024, and which details are still unconfirmed. Last checked: October 2026.
Updated 8 November 2026
Who needs a Remote Pilot Licence
Under the Civil Unmanned Aircraft Rules 2024, anyone operating a Category II, III or IV drone needs a Remote Pilot Licence (Geo News, 16 June 2024; Dawn, 24 June 2024). In simple terms:
- 250 g or less (Category I): no licence needed, registration still required
- over 250 g up to 10 kg (Category II): licence needed
- over 10 kg (Categories III and IV): licence needed, plus extra clearances
Most camera drones above the Mini class are Category II: the DJI Air 3 (DJI Air 3) at about 720 g, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro (DJI Mavic 3 Pro) at about 958 g, and the Autel EVO II Pro V3 (Autel EVO II Pro V3) at about 1,191 g.
Last checked: October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
The requirements reported so far
Geo News (16 June 2024) listed these requirements for an RPL applicant:
- at least 18 years old
- a secondary school certificate or equivalent
- training from an approved training organisation for that licence type
- passing a PCAA test of knowledge and skills in flying unmanned aircraft
The rules also say Category II to IV operators must log their operations in the CAA's electronic system (Dawn, 24 June 2024), and registered drones over 250 g need a track-and-trace system (Unmanned Airspace, June 2024).
What is still unverified
We could not confirm the following from official or news sources as of October 2026:
- the list of approved training organisations
- the exam format, syllabus and fee
- how long the licence is valid and how renewal works
- whether a public online application system is live
One travel website claims hobby pilots do not need a licence. That conflicts with the rules as reported by Geo News and Dawn, so we do not rely on it. Contact the PCAA (pcaa.gov.pk) for the current licensing process before you plan around it.
Step-by-step: the legal route
Step 1: Check your drone's take-off weight. If it is over 250 g, or becomes over 250 g with a Plus battery or accessories, you need the licence.
Step 2: Register the drone with the PCAA within 15 days of purchase. See the registration guide (How to Register a Drone in Pakistan).
Step 3: Ask the PCAA which training organisations are approved for the RPL and complete the training.
Step 4: Pass the PCAA knowledge and skills test.
Step 5: Before each flight, check standard conditions, restricted areas and the current flying bans.
Getting ready for the PCAA test
The syllabus is not published in the sources we found, but drone pilot exams in most countries cover similar ground, so these topics are a sensible place to start:
- air law: the Civil Unmanned Aircraft Rules 2024, categories, standard conditions and restricted airspace
- airspace and maps: aerodromes, controlled airspace and the 6 to 12 km zones
- weather: wind, heat and how they affect batteries and control
- flight planning, pre-flight checks and emergency procedures such as loss of signal and return to home
- practical skills: take-off, hovering, orientation, smooth camera moves and landing
Practise in a safe, permitted place with a small drone first. Our how to fly a drone (How to Fly a Drone (Beginner Guide)) guide covers the basics.
The Plus battery trap
The DJI Mini 3 (DJI Mini 3), Mini 3 Pro (DJI Mini 3 Pro) and Mini 4 Pro (DJI Mini 4 Pro) weigh 249 g with their standard battery. With the optional Intelligent Flight Battery Plus they go over 250 g, which moves them into Category II, where a licence is needed. Some Fly More Combo Plus bundles include only Plus batteries. If you want to stay licence-free, fly with standard batteries. Our 249g drones explained (249g Drones Explained for Pakistani Buyers) guide has the details.
Which drones need the licence: quick examples
- No licence (Category I, standard battery): DJI Neo, DJI Mini 2 SE, DJI Mini 3, DJI Mini 3 Pro, DJI Mini 4 Pro, Autel EVO Nano+ (discontinued July 2025, support until 2030)
- Licence needed (Category II): DJI Air 2S, DJI Air 3, DJI Mavic 3 series, DJI Inspire 3, DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and Thermal, DJI Matrice 30 and 30T, DJI Matrice 350 RTK, Autel EVO Lite+, EVO II Pro V3 and EVO II Dual 640T V3
Each product page on our site shows the take-off weight and category. Compare series on the DJI drones (DJI Drones prices) page.
A licence does not override a ban
Holding an RPL does not allow you to fly during a Section 144 order or the Interior Ministry's nationwide suspension of 27 February 2026 (Express Tribune, Dawn). In Punjab, written permission for approved work, such as agriculture, irrigation and research, comes from district Safe Drone Usage Committees (The Nation, 29 September 2026). Always check the drone ban status page (Drone Ban Status in Pakistan: Federal and Provincial Tracker) first.
Licence-free options for beginners
If you are new to drones and want to avoid the licence step, a Category I drone is the simple choice. Good options are the DJI Neo (DJI Neo) for selfies and short clips, the DJI Mini 2 SE (DJI Mini 2 SE) for a low-cost start, and the DJI Mini 4 Pro (DJI Mini 4 Pro) with standard batteries for serious photography. Browse all under 250g drones (Under 250g Drones).
Professionals who need bigger sensors, zoom or thermal cameras will need the licence anyway, so it is worth starting the process early.
Fines for flying without a licence
The 2024 rules allow a fine of up to Rs 100,000 plus up to Rs 10,000 per day while the violation continues (Geo News, 16 June 2024). For wedding, real estate and inspection work, clients increasingly ask for registration and licence proof, so having both also helps your business.
