Professional drones in Mauritius: registration, categories and permits – A complete guide

Any drone operator who is not using their device falls under the professional regime. exclusively for leisure or personal recreation. This is the wording used by Regulation 9 of the Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft System) Regulations 2024, and it is this regulation that triggers the obligation to request authorization to operate and to submit the program of each flight to the authorities. The concept of "commercial" does not appear anywhere in the text: what matters is not the money, but the purpose.

The dividing line can be summed up in a single word.

The key word is "exclusively." A single flight is enough to tip the scales of your entire business. The text doesn't say "who operates a drone for professional purposes" but "who does not operate a drone exclusively for personal recreation": the wording is negative, and it's much broader. It encompasses any use that serves a purpose other than your private enjoyment, even without an invoice, even without a client, even just once.

The text makes the same distinction in four other places, using the same wording. The exemptions granted to recreational drones—no mandatory remote identification (Regulation 4), no drone registration (Regulation 5), no operator registration (Regulation 7), no requirement for remote pilot certification (Regulation 14)—all disappear as soon as the use ceases to be exclusively personal. And for recreational use itself, these exemptions disappear as soon as the drone carries a camera or data sensor. In other words, a professional drone operator receives no exemptions, regardless of the weight of their drone.

Cases that change unexpectedly

Several situations fall under the professional regime, even though those experiencing them believe they are engaged in leisure activities. Here are the main ones:

• The hotel, villa or restaurant that films its own establishment. There is no client or invoice, but the image serves an economic activity: it is not personal leisure.
• The content creator whose videos are monetized, sponsored or produced as part of a partnership. A paid channel is not a leisure activity as defined in the text.
• The wedding photographer or videographer, including for a single service during a stay.
• The real estate agent which produces aerial views of a property for sale or rent.
• Technical uses : topographic surveying, photogrammetry, roof or facade inspection, site monitoring, mapping, agricultural spreading and monitoring, building cleaning by drone.
• Drone shows, which also fall under the "specific" category and not the "open" category.
• State services — but be careful, these often come out of the text through another door: regulation 3 excludes state aircraft, including military, customs and police aircraft.

What the occupational scheme adds

The professional regime adds five obligations to those that already apply to everyone. These are detailed below, in the order in which they are addressed:

• l'device approval by the Mauritian telecommunications authority;
• l'drone recording and theoperator registration with civil aviation — these two also apply to recreational use with cameras, but the file is not the same;
• tHE remote pilot competency certificate ;
• l'authorization to operate in a category of operation, or a simplified operator certificate (LUC);
• there communication of the schedule for each flight to the Police CommissionerAnd a liability insurance valid at all times.

A note on vocabulary, because it appears in all the forms. The text distinguishes theoperator ('UAS operator') — the natural or legal person who operates the drone, i.e., the company — and the drone pilot (UAS pilot) — the person who holds the controls. The two have distinct obligations, and they are not always the same people. An agency can be the registered operator and employ several certified UAS pilots.

Every professional transaction must be classified into one of the three categories defined by regulations 10, 11 and 12: open, specific or certifiedThis concept governs everything else — the form to be filled out, the documents to be provided, the amount to be paid, the required qualification of the remote pilot — and that is why it is addressed here, before the steps.

The category is not freely chosen

The risk of the operation determines the category, and it is the authority that Assesses it. all three regulations are based on the Same formula: a Drone "may be operated" In a given category when, in the opinion of the authorityThe operation presents such and such a level of risk to third parties. The category open corresponds to a low risk, the category specific at a high risk but lower than that of a manned aircraft, the category certified at a risk equivalent to that of a manned aircraft. Therefore, you don't tick the cheapest box: you describe your operation and the authority decides.

A drafting detail deserves attention because it explains a confusion that circulated for a year. The 2024 text contained an error in Regulation 11: paragraph (2) announced the publication of the requirements for the "open" category, whereas it actually refers to the article concerning the "specific" category. The January 2026 amendment corrected this wording. Nothing else has changed on this point.

The open category and its three subcategories

The open category covers low-risk operations and is divided into three subcategories, A1, A2, and A3, as defined by the Mauritian technical standard MCAR-UAS. The choice is made according to the proximity of individuals not involved in the operation:

• A1 — The remote pilot may fly near uninvolved individuals, but never over a gathering. This is reserved for very lightweight aircraft: less than 250 grams maximum takeoff weight for an owner-built aircraft, or aircraft marked with a C0 or C1 class designation. Online theoretical training is required for the C1 class.
• A2 — The drone does not fly over uninvolved persons and remains at least 30 meters horizontally away from them. This distance can be reduced to 5 meters with a device equipped with an active low-speed mode, after assessment of the weather, the device's performance, and the separation of the area being overflown. Requires a Class C2 device and a drone pilot competency certificateThis is the most used subcategory by licensed Mauritian operators.
• A3 — The operation takes place where the remote pilot can reasonably expect that no uninvolved person will be endangered, and at least 150 meters from residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas. Aircraft up to 25 kilograms of amateur construction, or classes C2, C3, and C4. Online theoretical training is required.

The maximum altitude for the open category is 120 meters above the point closest to the ground. In rough terrain, the measurement follows the contours of the land: it is the distance to the ground that counts, not the altitude of the takeoff point. Near an artificial obstacle more than 105 meters high and within 50 meters of it, the maximum altitude may be raised to 15 meters above the top of the obstacle, at the request of the responsible entity.

The specific category

The specific category covers operations where the risk exceeds the limits of the open category: flights beyond visual line of sight, overflights of populated areas, heavy drones, drone shows, building cleaning. The application process changes in nature. Whereas the "open" form fits on four pages, the application for the specific category requires a operations manual, a compliance matrix to a predefined scenario, and a risk assessment the plan is conducted According to the sORA method or based on A european standard scenario. the official form requires characterizing the ground and air hazards of the operational area and the adjacent area, the robustness of mitigation measures in case of a ground impact, and the level of technical containment adopted.

The DCA provides the relevant templates on its drones page: operation manual templates for scenarios PDRA-01 to 03 and STS-01 and 02, compliance checklists, and templates for the remote pilot's logbook and the aircraft's technical logbook. These two logbooks must be kept up to date and presented to DCA inspectors upon request.

The certified category

The certified category covers operations where the risk is equivalent to that of a manned aircraft. No Mauritian operator is included in this category on the official list published in July 2026. In practice, it does not cover image services, real estate, or routine inspections.

The LUC: For whom, for what purpose

The LUC—Light UAS Operator Certificate, Regulation 13—is an operator certificate that allows an organization to authorize its own operations without having to reapply for authorization for each new type of mission. This is the fundamental difference between it and a standard authorization, and what makes it attractive for an operator that works regularly and whose missions vary.

Two conditions restrict it to established structures. The applicant must be a legal entityAnd must operate at least one drone in one of the three categories. The MCAR-UAS standard adds that a LUC holder must implement a security management systemThe authority must maintain qualification and experience records for its staff and retain them for three years after an employee's departure. The authority may progressively expand the scope of privileges granted based on the operator's safety record. The LUC costs the same as a certified category authorization, and the holder of an LUC remains an operator: they must register as such.

Before taking any steps with civil aviation authorities, your drone model must be approved by theInformation and Communication Technologies Authority, the Mauritian telecommunications regulator. This is the first step because the drone registration form includes a field "ICTA approval reference", and the application for authorization to operate requires the approval certificate as a mandatory attachment.

The reason for this requirement has nothing to do with aviation. Under the Information and Communication Technologies (Clearance to Import ICT Equipment) Regulations 2019, all communication equipment imported into or used in Mauritius must be authorized by the ICTA, in accordance with the frequency allocation plan. A drone transmits and receives: it is radio equipment before it is an aircraft.

How to do it. First, check if your model is already on the list of approved devices published by the ICTA—the DCA form explicitly refers to this preliminary check. If the model is listed, simply use its approval number and proceed to the next step. If it is not listed, the application must be submitted online, via the ICTA portal, before any customs clearance. The authority operates on a documentation basis: it accepts test reports from internationally recognized laboratories, including European ETSI and CE reports, and does not normally require local testing or samples. The approval obtained has no expiration date.

The ICTA's public website does not list a specific fee for type approval alone. This point should be confirmed with the authority at the time of application rather than being based on a secondary source's estimate.

Each device must be registered individually with the Department of Civil AviationUnder Regulation 5, the drone is assigned a registration number which must then be visibly displayed on the aircraft. The registration pertains to the drone, not its owner: if you operate three drones, you must submit three separate applications.

The file

The official form can be downloaded from the DCA drones page and returned by email. It begins with a crucial option: "operation for recreational purposes" or "operation for commercial, governmental, or non-recreational purposes." The second option applies to you and will determine the entire processing of your application. The form then asks for:

• the full identity of the applicant and, if different, that of the operator;
• the company's contact details and its business registration number;
• the characteristics of the device: manufacturer, date of manufacture, brand, model, serial number, country of manufacture, mass, architecture (fixed wing, multirotor, hybrid);
• the stated purpose, among four options: aerial media, aerial spotting, aerial agriculture, aerial survey — with a free line for other uses;
• the iCTA approval Reference obtained at thestep 1 ;
• mandatory attachments: copy of passport or identity card, photograph of the device from the front, photograph of the serial number.

The drone trap has already been recorded elsewhere

A device already registered in another country cannot be registered in Mauritius as long as the original registration remains valid: the form requires a proof of cancellation of registration issued by the issuing authorityThis Point is overlooked by many professionals, and it has a direct consequence: if You usually operate this device in your country, registering it in mauritius Means giving up its national registration. this Is yet another argument in favor of the solutions described in the section dedicated to operators from abroad.

Police check

No drone is registered until the applicant, and any other person who may be called upon to pilot it, are considered by the Police Commissioner as people qualified to operate it. This verification is required by Regulation 5(5), it is not a mere formality, and it explains most of the delays: the DCA itself announces a minimum of three months for a procedure conducted in Mauritius, including police checks, and describes the process as time-consuming in its own FAQ. Anyone likely to pilot the device is concerned, not just the signatory: if your team has three remote pilots, all three must undergo the check.

Registering the drone costs 2,000 rupeesIn the event of a change in the operator's contact details, the change must be notified immediately and will result in an amendment request being charged at 500 rupees.

Operator registration is a separate process from drone registration, as stipulated by Regulation 7, with its own form and fee. It concerns the individual or company operating the devices and results in a operator number — the very same one that will be broadcast in flight by the remote identification system.

For a legal entity, the application requires the company name and business registration number, address, contact details, details of the equipment operated, insurance policy information if applicable, and above all, two explicit confirmations: that all persons directly involved in the operations are competent for the tasks assigned to them, and that the drone will only be piloted by remote pilots with the appropriate level of competence. These two declarations are binding on the entity and refer to the...next step.

As with drones, registration is subject to the approval of the Police Commissioner on the applicant's suitability. It costs 1,500 rupees and its validity is three yearsRenewal Applications must be submitted no later than fifteen days after expiry, for A Fee of 1,000 rupees. remember this fifteen-day deadline: It also applies to operating permits, and it is a short one.

A related technical requirement. All equipment in operation must be equipped with a device fordirect remote identificationThis system, integrated or added as a module, continuously broadcasts the operator's registration number, the aircraft's standardized serial number, its position and altitude, its track and ground speed, as well as the remote pilot's position or, failing that, the takeoff point, in a format readable by any phone within range. The serial number must conform to the ANSI/CTA-2063 standard. Therefore, an add-on module is useless without your operator number: that's what's loaded into the system.

No one can be a drone pilot if they do not have at least 16 years old and if he has not been certified as a competent drone pilot by a trainer authorized by the Mauritian authority. This is regulation 14, and it does not provide any exemption for professional use — the only exemptions concern owner-built devices weighing less than 250 grams and exclusively recreational use, and these exemptions are void as soon as there is a camera.

Which qualification for which subcategory?

The required level depends on the subcategory of operation. For the subcategories A1 (class C1) and A3You must have completed online theoretical training and passed an exam. 40 multiple choice questionsWith at least 75% correct answersCovering aviation safety, airspace restrictions, aviation regulations, limits of human performance, operational procedures, general drone knowledge, privacy and data protection, insurance and security.

For the subcategory A2We need a real drone pilot competency certificate, obtained in a prescribed order: first the online training and exam above, then practical self-training under the conditions of subcategory A3, then the declaration of this practical training accompanied by the successful completion of a additional theoretical examination, also with at least 40 questions and a 75% success rate, covering meteorology, drone flight performance and ground risk mitigation measures.

Where to obtain the certificate

The DCA recognizes certificates issued by organizations accredited by the civil aviation authority of the state where they are located. This is stated in its official FAQ, and it is the practical route for a remote pilot already trained abroad: an A2 certificate obtained from an organization approved by your national authority is acceptable, subject to authentication. The authorization form for the open category also includes an explicit note indicating that the operator's qualification will be verified with the issuing authority.

For training conducted in Mauritius, the legislation stipulates a trainer authorization system: the application costs 200,000 rupees, the authorization is published in the official gazette, and the authority conducts audits billed at 6,000 rupees per person-hour. At the date of writing this guide, the DCA's drone page does not publish a list of authorized trainers., while it publishes the list of approved commercial operators. We therefore cannot confirm whether or not they exist: this is a question to ask the DCA directly if you are looking to have a team trained locally.

The operating permit is the document that actually allows you to work, and it is the cornerstone of the professional system. It is requested by category of operation, under regulations 10, 11 or 12 depending on the category selected, or takes the form of a LUC for a legal entity. It is valid three years and is renewed upon request made no later than fifteen days after its expiry.

Required documents for the open category

Four attachments are mandatory on the open category form, and the absence of any one of them is enough to block the Application:

• there insurance coverage civil liability, expressly including coverage in Mauritius;
• for subcategories A1 and A3, the proof of successful completion of theoretical training of the remote pilot;
• for subcategory A2, the drone pilot competency certificate and proof of practical training;
• tHE device type approval certificate issued by the ICTA.

The form also asks for a description of the planned operating areas and the nature of the activity, the insurer, policy number, and coverage limit, and for the operator number and drone registration number obtained in the previous steps to be entered. This is why this request comes after the others and not before.

In a specific category

The specific category dossier is considerably more complex. In addition to the elements mentioned above, it includes the operations manual, the scenario compliance matrix, the concept of operations, and all the risk assessment calculations—ground risk class, aviation risk class, assurance and integrity level, operational security objectives, and security portfolio. The form also requires the designation of a responsible leader, specifically identified, who signs the declaration of conformity to the 2024 Text and the mCAR-UAS Reference.

What the procedure does not require

Three requirements are circulating on pages dedicated to the subject but are not included in Mauritian texts. The professional regulations do not impose:

• of manned aircraft pilot's licenseNor any prior aeronautical experience;
• local establishment is mandatory to apply for authorization — the open category form expressly provides a section for foreigners already registered with an authority outside of Mauritius, with the name and country of that authority;
• purchasing a drone on site. It is sometimes stated that an imported device cannot be used in Mauritius. No text imposes such a prohibition: what The regulations require is iCTA type approval Of the model and registration of the device, which are not the same thing.

Holding an operating permit is not enough to fly a drone: Regulation 9 requires, for each operationTo communicate to Police Commissioner the aircraft's flight program. This obligation is specific to the professional regime — it does not apply to leisure — and it is permanent: it is not exhausted with the first declaration.

How to go about it in practice

The text establishes the obligation but does not specify the channel, format, or timeframe for submitting the flight schedule. This is a genuine omission, and it is more honest to state it explicitly than to invent a procedure. In practice, the best course of action is to ask the [relevant authority/department]. DCA at the time of the application: authorization is granted "subject to the conditions the authority deems appropriate," and these conditions are the natural place to specify the channel of communication with the police. Request a written response and keep a copy.

Special permissions per flight

Some operations also require specific permission from the authority, which is billed separately. 5,000 rupees per permissionRegulation 8(5) covers flights over an area where a rescue operation is taking place, over or within 150 metres of a congested area, over or within 150 metres of an open-air gathering of more than 500 people, within 50 metres of a vessel, vehicle or structure not under your control, in Class A or C airspace, in a restricted area, above 400 feet above the surface, and in the taxiway of an aerodrome.

For a professional, two of these cases are the rule rather than the Exception: filming in the city falls under the congested zone, and covering an event falls under the gathering of more than 500 people.

What the DCA expects from a special leave application

The guide published by the DCA on risk assessment and special permissions details what the application must contain, and it begins with a frank observation: most of the risk assessments received were incomplete or insufficient. The expected documentation includes a detailed flight plan—takeoff and landing, trajectory, altitude, speed, visual line of sight maintenance, number and position of remote pilots and observers, and technical specifications of the aircraft—an annotated map of the site with takeoff and recovery points, an indication of any organized events nearby, the proposed dates, and prior verification of the airspace in the aeronautical information publication.

Two pieces of advice from this guide deserve to be followed to the letter. Propose alternative dates from the initial request. If the operation does not take place on the scheduled date or alternative dates, any change is reassessed as an initial request. attach the customer's order letter : the DCA requires a written request from the company that commissioned you, confirming that you have been hired for the aerial work in question.

The stated processing time is five working daysSubject to the completeness of the file and depending on the complexity of the Operation. however, Please note: this document dates from November 2021 and refers to the former Articles 91 et seq. Of The Civil Aviation regulations 2007, Which have since been repealed. its substantive requirements regarding the content of a risk assessment remain the best published indication Of what the dCA expects, but the regulatory references and amounts it cites are no Longer current. consider it a methodological guide, not a legally binding regulation.

Civil liability insurance is mandatory for all professional operators and must be valid at all times during operations. this is Not a recommendation: the official List of approved commercial operators states at the top of the document that a drone may only be flown with a valid insurance certificate at all times, and the insurance certificate is among the mandatory attachments for authorization forms, in both the open and specific categories.

Three points need to be checked with your insurer before submitting a claim:

• territorial coverage must explicitly include Mauritius — the form for the open category specifies this in parentheses, which is never gratuitous in an official document;
• the guarantee limit must be specified., since it must be entered on the form alongside the insurer's name and policy number;
• exclusion of damage caused by an unmanned aircraft this is common in general contracts and travel insurance. it can Only be discovered by reading the terms and conditions, and it would render your certificate invalid.

The text does not impose any minimum guarantee Amount. however, it is consistent to base the coverage on the maximum fine incurred and the value of the property overflown, rather than on the price of the aircraft.

The fees are set out in the second annex to the text, which was replaced by the January 2026 amendment. They are expressed in Mauritian rupees. The euro equivalents below are approximate, calculated based on an exchange rate of around 54 rupees to one euro observed in the summer of 2026 — these are not fixed prices.

• Drone recording (Regulation 5): 2,000 Rs, or approximately €37. Modification: 500 Rs.
• Operator registration (Regulation 7): 1,500 Rs, approximately €28. Renewal: 1,000 Rs. Modification: 1,000 Rs.
• Special permission (regulation 8): Rs 5,000 per permission, approximately €93.
• Open category authorization (Regulation 10): 25,000 Rs, approximately €460. Renewal at the same amount. Modification: 2,000 Rs.
• Authorization in specific category (Regulation 11): 50,000 Rs, approximately €925. Renewal at the same amount.
• Authorization in the certified category (Regulation 12): 75,000 Rs, approximately €1,390. Renewal at the same amount.
• LUC (Regulation 13): 75,000 Rs, approximately €1,390. Renewal at the same amount.
• Authorization to become a remote pilot instructor (Regulation 14): 200,000 Rs, approximately €3,700. Audit: 6,000 Rs per man-hour.

The date matters more here than the amounts, and that's the point that most pages get wrong. The 2024 text did not set any rates: its appendix only stated "as determined by the Minister." It was the amendment of January 22, 2026, published in the official journal on January 29, 2026, that created the pricing schedule. However, this schedule is only applicable... since July 22, 2026And only to applications received from that date: this was specified by the Department of Civil Aviation itself in a press release dated 1^er june 2026. Any source that tells you these amounts are applicable from january 2026 is mistaken.

For an agency starting out in the open category with one aircraft and one remote pilot, the direct regulatory cost is therefore around 28,500 rupeesExcluding ICTA certification, remote pilot training, insurance, and special permits per flight. These last three items are not priced according to the text and depend entirely on your situation: in practice, they are what significantly affect the budget.

A word about the transitional provision, because it has been widely discussed. The 2026 amendment inserted Article 24A, stipulating that individuals already owning or operating a drone when the text came into force were exempt from its requirements for six months, and that holders of a permit issued under the former Articles 91 et seq. were exempt for the duration of its validity. These former permits also ceased to be effective no later than twelve months after the text came into force. Regardless of the starting date used to calculate these periods, they have now expired. None of these provisions apply to you.

Allow at least three to four months between the initial application and the first authorized flight, and longer if your drone model is not yet certified by the ICTA. The timeline below is a reconstruction based on the deadlines published by the relevant authorities and the logical sequence of required documents. This is not an official timeline, and no authority guarantees these durations.

Starting from the target filming date, let's call it D:

• Minimum 5 working days — Submission of requests for special permission for flights in congested areas, near gatherings, or above 400 feet, with fallback dates. This is the only timeframe that the DCA itself specifies.
• 2 to 4 weeks Before departure — Submitting the application for a filming permit to the MFDC for an audiovisual production, and requests to other relevant authorities depending on the location: port authority, internal affairs division, local authority for a street closure.
• 1 to 2 months before the end of the month — Submission of the application for authorization to operate in the selected category. The text does not specify a processing time, and the authority may request additional information, which resets the clock.
• J minus 3 months minimum — filing of drone and operator registration applications. this is The timeframe announced by the DCA itself for a procedure conducted in mauritius, Including police checks, and it is the unavoidable item on the schedule.
• 4 months or more — Application for ICTA approval if the model is not already on the list, and certification of the remote pilot if it has not been obtained. These two steps are prerequisites for the previous ones.

The practical consequence is simple to state: for a production whose dates are already set less than three months in advance, the complete procedure is not feasible.This is the reasoning that leads most international productions to work with an operator already approved on site.

A foreign professional benefits from two exemptions from registration but remains subject to authorization To operate. this is the central asymmetry of the text; it is not explicitly stated anywhere, and it is deduced from a combined reading Of regulation 3 and regulation 9.

The two exemptions

Regulation 3(3) excludes the application of Regulation 5 to "foreign UAS," defined as drones registered with a foreign civil aviation authority recognized by the Mauritian authority. Therefore, if your drone is registered in your country, it does not need to be registered in Mauritius—which also saves you from having to cancel its original registration.

Regulation 3(4) excludes the application of Regulation 7 to "foreign UAS operators", defined as persons authorized by a recognized foreign civil aviation authority to operate a foreign drone and the operator in the context of a professional activityThis second condition, which excludes tourists, works in your favor here: a foreign professional falls fully within the definition and therefore escapes operator registration.

Something you cannot escape

Regulation 9 does not include any exemptions for foreign operators. It applies to "any operator who does not operate a drone exclusively for their personal recreation," regardless of nationality or place of registration. Therefore, like a Mauritian operator, you must:

• ask for a operating license in one of the three categories, or a LUC, and pay the price;
• communicate the schedule for each flight to The police commissioner ;
• to have a certified drone pilot and a insurance covering Mauritius;
• comply with the remote identification requirement of regulation 4, which also does not allow for any exemption for foreigners.

One question remains that the texts do not clearly resolve. If your device is not registered in Mauritius and you are not registered as a Mauritian operator, what operator number does your remote identification system broadcast, and which numbers do you enter on the authorization form, which has fields for both? The open category form does include a box "for foreigners already registered with an authority outside Mauritius," where the name and country of that authority are entered—suggesting that the DCA accepts foreign references. We have not found any official document that explicitly confirms this. Submit the question in writing to the DCA before building a schedule on it.

The question of the right to work

The drone regulations say nothing about the right to work in Mauritius, and these two issues are separate. A DCA authorization is not a work permit. Depending on the duration of the mission, the nature of the contract, and your nationality, the question of a permit may or may not arise; the MFDC advises foreign productions on this point, and the matter is addressed with them at the same time as the filming permit. Our guide to working in Mauritius provides the general framework, and the entry formalities are detailed on a dedicated page.

Bring in the equipment

The temporarily imported camera equipment passes through a aTA CarnetThe MFDC expressly requires this information in the filming permit application, along with flight details and passport copies of the individuals involved. The ATA Carnet must be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce in your country of departure before your trip. See our pages on what you can and cannot bring to Mauritius deal with the general case of personal property, which is different from that of professional equipment under a logbook.

Regarding lithium batteries, air transport regulations apply regardless of your status: they must be carried In the cabin and never in the hold, without any Special procedures up to 100 watt-hours, with prior agreement From the Airline For 100 to 160 wh, And Prohibited above 160 wh on a Commercial flight. this last limit applies specifically to certain Heavy professional equipment: check the value printed on your batteries before booking, and ask your airline about the number of spare batteries allowed.

The DCA publishes and updates the list of registered operators for commercial operations with drones weighing less than 25 kilograms. This is the most useful document in the file for a foreign production, because it allows verification that a service provider is indeed authorized, in which category, for what type of operations, and until what date.

In its version dated from July 21, 2026This list includes seven active operatorsFive are authorized in the open category — four in subcategory A2, one in A3, and one combining A1, A2, and A3 — and two in the specific category, under scenario S01. Their declared areas of activity include aerial media, aerial reconnaissance, aerial surveying including photogrammetry, aerial agriculture, building cleaning by drone, and drone light shows. They are based in Calodyne, Curepipe, Moka, Mahébourg, Beau-Bassin, and Henrietta.

Two lessons emerge from this document, and they matter more than the names.

The legal market is small. Seven operators for an island that hosts dozens of international film shoots each year means that approved service providers are few and far between, and quickly booked up during peak season. Book early.

No foreign operators are included on this list. All the permits identified were issued to companies established in Mauritius. This is not a prohibition—nothing in the text restricts permits to local entities—but it is a fact that sheds light on the actual feasibility of this approach for a short-term production.

The list can be downloaded from the dCA drones page and includes its update date. Verify it yourself rather than relying on a re-entry: an operator may have been added, or their authorization may have expired. The expiry dates are listed in the table, separately for the operator registration and for the operating authorization—the two may not coincide, and it is the latter that concerns you.

The DCA authorization only covers air safety; it does not grant you any ground access rights or filming rights. The DCA guide clearly states this regarding filming in the city and lists the required authorizations. before to solicit her.

The MFDC filming permit

Any producer intending to shoot a film in Mauritius must obtain prior approval from the Mauritius Film Development CorporationThe obligation stems from Regulations 2001, and it covers a broader scope than just cinema: the form asks for clarification of the type of production, including feature film, documentary, advertising film, television program, and... photographic shootingA commercial photo shoot therefore falls within the scope of this.

The application must include the identity and contact details of the production company and its local representative (if applicable), the title and type of production, a synopsis with the planned duration, format, and distribution method, the filming period, locations, crew size and principal actors, the total budget and estimated expenditure in Mauritius, and a signed declaration of commitment to comply with Mauritian law. An ATA Carnet, flight details, and passport copies are also required if any material is being imported.

Two useful points of clarification. The MFDC service is free She herself states this. And she explicitly refers applicants to civil aviation for all matters concerning drones—she does not handle this aspect and does not replace the civil aviation authority. The two processes are parallel, not sequential.

Other permits depending on the location

The DCA guide lists the agreements that must be sought before submitting a request for special permission:

• The presidential domain : agreement of the Division of Internal Affairs and the Office of the President.
• Port areas : agreement of the Mauritius Ports Authority.
• Restricted areas : agreement of the defense and home affairs division.

In addition, for any filming in an urban area, the agreement of the owner or manager of the land from which the drone takes off and lands is required, and the effective control of the overflown areaIncluding people and vehicles. The DCA writes that this control often involves contacting the local authority to organize a road closure or an access restriction, and recommends initiating these steps as early as possible.

Two categories of places deserve particular attention. world heritage sites — the Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis and the cultural landscape of Morne Brabant — are subject to their own rules and a site administrator. The nature reserves and national parks are subject to express restrictions, and flying over them requires contacting the managing department.

A professional drone filming identifiable individuals processes personal data, triggering specific obligations independent of air law. The Mauritian Data Protection Act 2017 is modeled on the European version and is mentioned twice in DCA documents—in the restrictions applicable to recreational drone use and among the subjects covered in the remote pilot's theoretical exam.

The most frequently ignored obligation is theprior registration with the Data Protection OfficeBoth the data controller and the data processor must register before processing personal data; the exemption for purely personal or domestic activities does not apply to you, as your activity is professional. Registration is valid for three years and must be renewed no later than three months before its expiry. The fees depend on the number of employees: 1,000 rupees for up to five employees, 1,500 rupees for six to twenty-five, and 2,500 rupees for more than twenty-five, for both registration and renewal.

The case of the foreign operator. Mauritian law also applies to a data controller who is not established in Mauritius but who uses equipment there to process data for purposes other than simple transit—which describes a drone equipped with a camera quite well. In this case, the law requires the appointment of a representative established in MauritiusThis is a point to discuss with your council or local representative before filming involving recognizable people.

Failure to comply with the law is a criminal offense, punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 rupees and imprisonment for up to five years. In practical terms, the rule of conduct is simple: do not film identifiable individuals without a legal basis, obtain written permission when people are in the foreground, blur faces and license plates when you cannot obtain them, and be prepared to inform those present what you are filming and what will happen to the footage.

The general flight rules of regulation 8 apply To all operators, including professionals: holding an Operating license does not exempt one from them. This is a common misconception, in both directions — some believe these rules only apply to amateurs, while others believe a professional license supersedes them.

Two of them allow no exceptions, even by permission. the Remote pilot must maintain a direct and unassisted eye contact with the device, sufficient to monitor its trajectory: no binoculars, no piloting based solely on video feedback. And nothing must fall from the drone that could injure a person or damage property. Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight does exist, but it falls under the... category specific and assumes an accepted risk assessment — this is not a derogation from regulation 8, it is a different regime.

The other prohibitions in Regulation 8(5) are revocable by permission of the authority5,000 rupees per permit. In addition, there is a general prohibition: no one may fly a drone in a prohibited area without authorization from the Minister. Furthermore, the minimum distance of 30 meters from uninvolved persons, stipulated by regulation 8(3), is not accompanied by a possibility of obtaining a permit in the text – it is the subcategory of operation that determines the distance, down to 5 meters in A2 with a device in low-speed mode.

The contradiction regarding Class G airspace

Regulation 8(5)(f) Subjects all flights to authorization by the authority. in class G airspace with a drone whose maximum takeoff mass exceeds 250 gramsClass G is uncontrolled airspace: in Mauritius, this is everything outside the airport's control zone, therefore the vast majority of the territory. Taken literally, this provision means that almost any business flight—since almost all work aircraft exceed 250 grams—would require a permit costing 5,000 rupees, in addition to the operating license fee, for each operation.

This interpretation is contradicted by the technical framework of the authority itself. The MCAR-UAS, which the Department of Civil Aviation publishes to explain how to apply the regulations, deals with flights conducted below 120 meters. in uncontrolled airspace, class F or GThis is the normal situation—the one that allows for the simplest authorization procedure, unless a specific restriction is published by the authority for a given area. If flying in class G required individual permission, this passage would be irrelevant.

The contradiction is therefore internal to the Mauritian system: two documents from the same administration do not say the same thing. We will not resolve it, as the DCA has not published a position. Three other elements suggest a drafting error in the regulation, although none constitutes proof: the Mauritian text is modeled on the European one, where Class G is precisely the airspace in which drones normally operate; the January 2026 amendment already corrected a clerical error in the same text, replacing "open category" with "specific category" in Regulation 11, without altering the regulation itself; and nothing in the authorizations listed among the approved operators suggests that such permission is requested before each flight.

Ask the DCA the question in writing before pricing a serviceBecause the answer significantly impacts operating costs: at 5,000 rupees per flight, a permit per flight changes the structure of a quote. Request it explicitly when applying for an operating license, and have the point clarified in the conditions attached to the license—this is where a written response is most valuable, as it then covers you for the entire validity period.

The same point is explained at greater length, for the benefit of recreational users, in our guide to drone regulations in Mauritius.

Protected marine animals

Filming marine mammals or turtles with a drone carries a much heavier penalty than those related to air traffic laws. The Fisheries Act 2023 prohibits the removal, harassment, intentional feeding, or intentional killing of any marine mammal, whether on land or at sea, and extends the same prohibition to sea turtles. The offense is subject to a scale of penalties that can reach a fine of 25 million rupees and two years' imprisonment. The legislation does not define harassment or specify a minimum altitude, but a drone brought down on a pod of dolphins or a humpback whale constitutes a clear disturbance. This topic is covered in detail in our [article/publication/etc.]. guide to regulations on observing and swimming with dolphins, turtles and whales, to be read before any order involving marine wildlife.

Local flight conditions

Two meteorological factors influence the planning of aerial filming in Mauritius. trade winds winds blow from the southeast for much of the year and typically strengthen during the day along the coast: the calmest periods are early in the morning, which coincides with the best light. cyclone seasonFrom november to april, conditions can change dramatically in a matter of hours—a Clear morning is no guarantee of what the afternoon will Bring. include contingency dates in your leave application, as recommended by the Air defense forces, and ensure you have a comfortable battery reserve for The return journey: the sea breeze significantly increases consumption. Our page on detailed weather in Mauritius this provides the seasonal context. Finally, sea air attacks motors and connectors: wipe down the equipment after each flight near the coast.

Any violation of drone regulations is punishable by a fine of up to one million rupees and to imprisonment that could reach twelve monthsThe two penalties are cumulative under Regulation 22. In 2026, this amounts to approximately €18,500. This cap applies equally to recreational and professional use: the text does not provide for any increased penalty based on the commercial nature of the activity.

One clarification, because information is circulating widely: drone regulations do not provide for the confiscation of the device. as a penalty. It is commonly stated that it would be automatically added to the fine and prison sentence; no provision in the text justifies this. This does not mean that a device cannot be seized as part of a procedure, but there is no automatic confiscation.

Two other sanction regimes are added to the first and are considerably more severe: up to 200,000 rupees and five years imprisonment for violations of data protection law, and up to 25 million rupees and two years imprisonment for harassing a marine mammal. It is not aviation law that presents the highest financial risk here.

For a licensed operator, the risk doesn't end with the fine. The operating license is issued conditionally, and the authority retains the power to assess whether the holder remains fit to maintain it. Any operation conducted outside the scope of the license jeopardizes the license itself, and therefore the entire business.

At what point does my use of drones become professional in Mauritius?

As soon as it is no longer exclusively for your personal leisure. Mauritian regulations do not use the word "commercial": they target any operator who does not use their drone exclusively for leisure or personal recreation. A hotel filming its own establishment, a creator whose videos are monetized, or a real estate agent producing views of a property are all considered to be operating under the professional regime, even without an invoice.

What permits are required to film professionally with a drone in Mauritius?

Five documents are required, to be obtained in this order: type approval by the ICTA, registration of the drone and then of the operator with the Department of Civil Aviation, a remote pilot competency certificate, and an operating license in the open, specific, or certified category—or a LUC for a legal entity. In addition, civil liability insurance covering Mauritius is required, and the flight plan must be submitted to the Commissioner of Police before each flight.

How much does a professional drone permit cost In Mauritius?

25,000 rupees for the open category, 50,000 for the specific category, 75,000 for the certified category, and 75,000 for a LUC, plus 2,000 rupees for drone registration and 1,500 for operator registration. These amounts result from the January 2026 amendment and only apply to applications received from July 22, 2026 onwards.

How long does the entire procedure take?

A minimum of three months is required for registration alone, including police checks—that's the timeframe the DCA itself stipulates. Adding ICTA approval if the model isn't already approved, remote pilot certification, and the processing of the operating permit application, expect another three to four months before the first authorized flight. For filming with dates set less than three months in advance, the entire procedure is impractical.

Does a foreign operator need to register their drone in Mauritius?

No, if the aircraft is already registered with a foreign civil aviation authority recognized by the Mauritian authorities: Regulation 3(3) then waives the requirement to register the drone, and Regulation 3(4) waives the requirement for the operator if a foreign professional is registered. However, the operating permit, remote pilot certificate, insurance, and submission of the flight plan to the police remain mandatory.

Is it possible to bring your own drone instead of renting one Locally?

Yes. Contrary to what you sometimes read, no Mauritian law prohibits the use of an imported device. The regulations do require that the model be approved by the ICTA and that the device be either registered in Mauritius or already registered with a recognized foreign authority. However, be aware that if you choose to register it in Mauritius, the form requires proof of cancellation of the original registration.

Do you need a pilot's license to operate a drone professionally In Mauritius?

No. No manned aircraft pilot license is required. What the regulations require is a remote pilot competency certificate, issued by an organization recognized by the civil aviation authority of the state where it is located, with a theoretical exam of forty questions and a passing grade of 75% — and an additional exam for subcategory A2. The remote pilot must be at least 16 years old.

Is a filming permit sufficient to fly a drone?

No. The MFDC filming permit and the DCA authorization are two separate and parallel processes. The MFDC itself refers productions to civil aviation for the drone portion, and the DCA authorization only covers air safety: it does not grant any ground access rights or filming rights.

Do you have to report every theft to the police?

Yes. Regulation 9 requires all operators not exclusively engaged in recreational activities to submit their flight program to the Police Commissioner for each operation. The text does not specify the channel, format, or deadline: have this point clarified in writing to the DCA (French Civil Aviation Authority) when applying for authorization, as authorization is granted under the conditions the authority deems appropriate.

Is insurance mandatory for a professional drone?

Yes, and it must be valid at all times during operations. The civil liability insurance certificate is among the mandatory attachments to the authorization forms, with an explicit requirement for coverage in Mauritius. Check that your policy does not exclude damage caused by an unmanned aircraft: this exclusion is common.

How many drone operators are licensed in Mauritius?

Seven, according to the official list From the Department Of civil aviation Dated july 21, 2026: five in the open category and two in the Specific category. all are Based In mauritius. the list, with the authorized areas of activity and expiration dates, is published on the dCA's drones Page.

What are the risks of committing an offence?

A fine of up to one million rupees and up to twelve months' imprisonment are punishable under Regulation 22 of the Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft System) Regulations 2024. The regulation does not provide for automatic confiscation of the aircraft. Data protection offenses and those involving marine mammals are covered by separate regulations with higher penalties.

The five organizations listed below cover all the procedures described in this guide. A written response from one of them takes precedence over any second-hand information, including that on this page.

Department of Civil Aviation (DCA)

The competent authority for drones: registration, operating licenses, special permits, airspace. This is the first point of contact, and the one to whom you should address any questions that remain unanswered in this guide.

• Email: civil-aviation@govmu.org
• Telephone: +230 603 2000
• Address: Department of Civil Aviation, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Plaine Magnien
• Drone page — forms, official FAQ, texts, list of approved operators, operations manual templates: civil-aviation.govmu.org, Drone Requirements section

Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA)

Competent authority for the type approval of devices and the authorization of the import of communication equipment.

• Email: info@icta.mu
• Telephone: +230 211 5333
• Address: 12^e floor, The Celicourt, 6 Sir Celicourt Antelme Street, Port Louis 11302
• Online applications: icta.mu/applyonline — read the guidelines on ICT equipment import authorization beforehand

Mauritius Film Development Corporation (MFDC)

Competent authority for filming permits, including commercial photography. Free service.

• Email: mauritiusfilm@intnet.mu
• Telephone: +230 696 3137
• Address: M6 rue Hugh Otter Barry, Floréal
• Application form for permits: mauritiusfilm.govmu.org, under Shooting Permits

Data Protection Office

Competent authority for the registration of data controllers and processors, and for any matter relating to images of identifiable persons.

• Telephone: +230 460 0251
• Address: 5^e floor, SICOM Tower, Wall Street, Ebene
• Registration forms and guides: dataprotection.govmu.org

Office of the Commissioner of Police

Recipient of the flight schedule for each professional operation, and authority that issues the fitness opinion conditioning the registrations.

• Telephone: +230 208 1212 (switchboard), +230 210 9549
• Address: Line Barracks, Port Louis
• Website: police.govmu.org

The exact channel through which an operator must transmit their flight schedule is not published. Have it clarified by the DCA rather than contacting the general switchboard.

The texts themselves

• Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft System) Regulations 2024Government Notice No. 232 of 2024, effective 1^er january 2025 — the reference text.
• Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft System) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, Government Notice no. 12 of 2026, published on 29 january 2026 — the tariff schedule and the transitional provision.
• DCA press release of 1^er june 2026 — the date on which the tariffs will come into effect, set for July 22, 2026.
• MCAR-UAS, Mauritius Civil Aviation Requirements – Unmanned Aircraft System, edition of December 9, 2024 — the technical reference: subcategories, qualifications, scenarios, LUC.
• Data Protection Act 2017 and Data Protection (Fees) Regulations 2020.
• Information and Communication Technologies (Clearance to Import ICT Equipment) Regulations 2019.

All these documents are published in English and can be downloaded free of charge from the websites of the relevant government departments. The 2024 text is available in a consolidated version incorporating the 2026 amendment, thus avoiding the need to compare the two.

Be wary of websites that imitate the government.

All Mauritian public services are located on the estate. govmu.org, with the exception of the ICTA, whose official website is icta.muA page offering to "register your drone in Mauritius" or "obtain your drone permit" for a fee, from another domain, is not a Mauritian government agency. Legitimate intermediaries exist—licensed operators, production managers—but they do not present themselves as official agencies. Do not enter personal data or bank details anywhere other than on the websites listed above. In the event of an incident on site, the emergency numbers in Mauritius are grouped on a dedicated page.