Hello everyone, my name is Alex. I am considering buying a DJI Mini 3 Pro. I really want to have a drone, and feel so excited, but I am oppressed so hard by legal limitations.I am from Ukraine and now reside in Slovakia. To register a drone in the EU, especially for any Commercial Use is a big hassle, even if it is just passive stock video income of $10 per month (or, most likely life).

After some time I will go to travel and live in some Asian countries.
It will be 5-9 countries, for around a year in total, so I will stay there for 1-2 months in each.
I want to record some great sea and city views during that trip, but not sure if it will be relatively easy (from the administrative side) or will be time and money-consuming.


So here are the questions.
In EU:
1. Do I need anything else except A1/A3 license and Drone Pilot Registration in the EU in order to record and post videos and photos online?
2. Can I record any, towns, and other locations and sell footage online considering that I am not targeting anyone, avoid overflying, follow height limitations and use a DJI zones map?
In other counties (Asian mostly):
3. After I'll visit those countries, is there any simplified way of Registration if you have one in the EU? Or this will be completely from the beginning, will take time, and cost a lot?
a) For example Vietnam if I get it right charges at least $350 and it takes up to 3 weeks to process drone registration. I can pay that much and wait for this long.
4. Is there any simplified rules for travelers that stay for a short period of time (around a month)?
5. What is the worst-case scenario I may encounter if I would be cached recording sea or city (in allowed DJI Map Zone)?


I want to start, but if it will be such a pain in the ass and will ruin my vacation, I would rather not.
Would be really grateful for any answers and help with those questions.

Have a wonderful day,
Alex

Hello there Alex. Good day and thank you for reaching out. I hope that our fellow DJI Co Pilots who have travelled with there DJI Drones can give out the best recommendation and information with regards to this matter. In addition, kindly please read through your airline's battery transportation regulations when traveling with LiPo batteries and I will post a link where in you can learn about regulations for your specific airline ( https://www.dji.com/flyingtips/airlines ). Thank you and please stay safe always.

This resource will help answer many of your questions.  Just scroll down to the country you plan to visit and check it out.

just go to youtube and you will see many, many people travel all over the world with their drones.  there's a secret method used my most youtubers to flying your drone in each and every country you visit.  take a look....

Good luck.  Be aware that online resources (including the one linked above) are not always accurate, not maintained or kept up to date.  In my experience, it's often very difficult for a foreign visitor to just understand the rules.  Often the rules are surprisingly restrictive and make it impractical for foreign visitors; in some countries, it's just not possible to fly legally unless you're a citizen (eg Mexico).

There are even some places where it is illegal to bring a drone into the country, and luggage is inspected and xrayed at airports to detect them; Egypt is one example (in Egypt you risk prison if caught with a drone).

On the other hand, it's pretty obvious that many (most?) people simply ignore all the rules and just take their chances.  I've been in foreign national parks where there were large "No Dones" signs everywhhere (impossible to miss), and the sky was full of drones zipping around.  Most of the videos you see on YouTube appear to be in violation of national laws or local regulations.

Sláva Ukrayíni!

Burstmode Posted at 8-1 06:43
Good luck.  Be aware that online resources (including the one linked above) are not always accurate, not maintained or kept up to date.  In my experience, it's often very difficult for a foreign visitor to just understand the rules.  Often the rules are surprisingly restrictive and make it impractical for foreign visitors; in some countries, it's just not possible to fly legally unless you're a citizen (eg Mexico).

There are even some places where it is illegal to bring a drone into the country, and luggage is inspected and xrayed at airports to detect them; Egypt is one example (in Egypt you risk prison if caught with a drone).

Do people go after those who post videos at restricted locations? Like the National Park offices or anything?
I know some Youtubers get calls from the FAA if they have been reported.

Beta5K Posted at 8-1 08:51
Do people go after those who post videos at restricted locations? Like the National Park offices or anything?
I know some Youtubers get calls from the FAA if they have been reported.

probably if the faa gets a call, they will likely investigate.  several people have posted their interaction with the faa on yt.

DowntownRDB Posted at 8-1 04:48
This resource will help answer many of your questions.  Just scroll down to the country you plan to visit and check it out.

Hello, thank you for your reply.  
I checked a few countries am I interested in visiting, and they all have something like:
pay $300 and wait a month, and you are good to go!!

I mean I can't wait longer than I will physically be in the country. As well as I can't spend half or a third of my monthly budget on flying there with drones.
It would be awesome if something like a "Drone Pourist Permit" existed, that would allow me and others to have fun with drones during trips.
For now, while I still don't have one, official side of drone piloting looks depressingly hard, while actual piloting looks like hella fun.

The Saint Posted at 8-1 06:33
just go to youtube and you will see many, many people travel all over the world with their drones.  there's a secret method used my most youtubers to flying your drone in each and every country you visit.  take a look....

I mean I can guess that "secret method" is what may put me in trouble.

I am just curious to know how serious the consequences may be.
Can I play the "Stupid Foreigner" card?
Like:
Oh, so I can't pilot a drone here? Sorry, I didn't know, it was my first flight here I swear please don't arrest me.

Burstmode Posted at 8-1 06:43
Good luck.  Be aware that online resources (including the one linked above) are not always accurate, not maintained or kept up to date.  In my experience, it's often very difficult for a foreign visitor to just understand the rules.  Often the rules are surprisingly restrictive and make it impractical for foreign visitors; in some countries, it's just not possible to fly legally unless you're a citizen (eg Mexico).

There are even some places where it is illegal to bring a drone into the country, and luggage is inspected and xrayed at airports to detect them; Egypt is one example (in Egypt you risk prison if caught with a drone).

Hello and thank you for your answer!

That is what I am curious about, I mean it's not that I would not put some explanations or play the "Stupid Foreigner" card.

I just want to know how likely I may have problems with local police (or people) or big legal problems later because I filmed something I was not allowed to.
Heroyam Slava!

The Saint Posted at 8-1 09:23
probably if the faa gets a call, they will likely investigate.  several people have posted their interaction with the faa on yt.

If I am getting it right FAA is the US structure, am I am not planning on visiting the US so I hope they wouldn't bother me.
Just curious to hear more about some other countries and continents in general, and how strict and harsh they are to drones.

awasua Posted at 8-1 10:06
I mean I can guess that "secret method" is what may put me in trouble.

I am just curious to know how serious the consequences may be.

sorry i am unable to comment more specifically but you may not want to listen to me anyway because my viewpoints are somewhat skewed.  perhaps others will have comments.  if you can't safely fly a drone there (i.e. iran) you probably shouldn't be there.

The Saint Posted at 8-1 09:23
probably if the faa gets a call, they will likely investigate.  several people have posted their interaction with the faa on yt.

Yeah, I've seen the ones where it was because they were operating without the part 107 license and running their Youtube business. Haven't come across ones where it was because they were flying at national parks or other drone restricted areas.

awasua Posted at 8-1 10:06
I mean I can guess that "secret method" is what may put me in trouble.

I am just curious to know how serious the consequences may be.

You can try to pull that card but just don't expect it to work. Rules are rules though, you violate them or not.

FAA is the US agency that governs aviation in the USA. They have no jurisdiction, and no interest, in what happens in other countries.

Every country has its own aviation agency.  Some pay more attention to drones than others.  Some tolerate drones, and only impose some restrictions, others appear to see drones as dangerous instruments of terrorism, and a big threat to the nation or it's current regime.  In the EU, I believe all EU members (mostly) follow common standards and requirements, so that makes it easier to generalize about EU countries (although like many things in the EU, there are exceptions and variations in some EU member nations, eg you may have to buy mandatory insurance in some, but not others - I don't know for sure, I live in the USA, best to ask someone from the specific country you're interested in).  Of all the "foreign" nations I've looked at for drone flying, EU countries seem the most reasonable and welcoming (that said, just because a country is set up to allow drone flights, there will always be some places you can not fly, and that's often the places you want to fly the most...).

Beyond the EU, every country goes its own way, and you will find different rules in every single country (if you can find the rules, they're not always easy to find).  This is what makes it extremely difficult, IMHO, for foreign visitors (well, one of the things that makes it difficult).  Many countries make it hard (or very hard, sometimes impossible) to fly drones and stay legal.  It's frustrating.

Personally, I believe most tourists just completely ignore all the rules becase they don't care, don't know, and/or because they made some small effort to find out, but got confused or didn't like the rules they found.

How likely is it you will be caught if you ignore the rules?  How bad would it be for you if you are caught?  That's impossible to predict.  You can make some guesses, though -- I've read you face 7 years in a military prison if caught with an unauthorized drone in Egypt.  I had thoughts of getting awesome footage of ancient sites in Egypt, but later dedided to leave the drone at home (then I decided to cancel that trip entirely).

Be careful, and whatever you decide to do, be smart and apply plenty of common sense.

Burstmode Posted at 8-1 10:56
FAA is the US agency that governs aviation in the USA. They have no jurisdiction, and no interest, in what happens in other countries.

Every country has its own aviation agency.  Some pay more attention to drones than others.  Some tolerate drones, and only impose some restrictions, others appear to see drones as dangerous instruments of terrorism, and a big threat to the nation or it's current regime.  In the EU, I believe all EU members (mostly) follow common standards and requirements, so that makes it easier to generalize about EU countries (although like many things in the EU, there are exceptions and variations in some EU member nations, eg you may have to buy mandatory insurance in some, but not others - I don't know for sure, I live in the USA, best to ask someone from the specific country you're interested in).  Of all the "foreign" nations I've looked at for drone flying, EU countries seem the most reasonable and welcoming (that said, just because a country is set up to allow drone flights, there will always be some places you can not fly, and that's often the places you want to fly the most...).

Thank you so much, your answers are really helping.

Ffs, I just want to fly a drone and take some awesome pictures for me and maybe someone online who would enjoy it too. Maybe even generate some small side income.

I don't know how many people around there are unintentionally or even intentionally breaking the privacy or imposing national secrets like the photos of fkn municipal buildings, which are available for anyone, for free, online, with precise locations on Google Maps, but this just depressing.
Thank you, everyone, for your answers, at least for now, I think that drones will go against my nerves. If I would need to contact the whole country's parliament just to fly my 249 grams of happiness for 30 minutes.

Hope in a few years all those things will be regulated more or less globally, so I will be able to get the license once and travel with it between countries.
Right now I feel like drones are more for people who stick to one country or union rather than for international travelers.

awasua Posted at 8-1 12:00
Hope in a few years all those things will be regulated more or less globally, so I will be able to get the license once and travel with it between countries.
Right now I feel like drones are more for people who stick to one country or union rather than for international travelers.

Just my opinion, I think there will be stricter regulations in a few years since they are just more widely available compared to say 10 years ago. More recreational drone users are out there now, not completely knowing the rules, invading privacy, flying where they shouldn't be, etc. There's just more drones in the sky.
In the US, they recently implemented the TRUST certificate being "required" even for recreational users.

I read up on local/state regulations wherever I travel to, as well as international countries. For me, its worth it since I like taking pictures and video with this thing. You can still get great photos and videos, while complying with the laws.

Beta5K Posted at 8-1 12:32
Just my opinion, I think there will be stricter regulations in a few years since they are just more widely available compared to say 10 years ago. More recreational drone users are out there now, not completely knowing the rules, invading privacy, flying where they shouldn't be, etc. There's just more drones in the sky.
In the US, they recently implemented the TRUST certificate being "required" even for recreational users.

drone don't invade privacy, people invade other people's privacy.  when a cameraman takes his dslr with a long lens and uses it to take inappropriate pictures, nobody blames the dslr.  the ratio of indecent, invasive, illegal photos and videos taken using a dlsr is 1,000,000 to 1 compared to the number from a drone.  yet everyone thinks the drone camera is evil because it can fly.  as drone flyers, especially here in america, we have to stop referring to drones as invading privacy.  almost anywhere a drone can fly, technically it cannot invade the privacy unless you fly up to an open bedroom window 20 stories high at midnight....

To be perfectly honest, I would not expect drone laws to become looser in the future.  I would expect the opposite.

All it takes is one idiot with a drone who breaks the rules, does something highly visible, and gets a big reaction from the government authorities - that has already happened in many places, and it is responsible for the current level of restrictions in some places.  Since there are plenty of irresponsible and stupid people (look around you) and since drones are getting less expensive and more capable, I think it's only a matter of time until greater restrictions are imposed on drone flights.   We will look back on today's regulations as "the good old days."

I say this as a licensed airplane pilot, who has been flying real airplanes for many years.  As time goes by, places on the ground get more crowded, people with flying machines do something stupid and there is a big reaction.  When something bad happens, the reaction from government authorities is never "well, let's loosen up the restrictions."  It's more like "We have to put a stop to those dangerous things! We can't allow just anyone flying around here!  Think of the children!"  As the years have passed, flying airplanes has become more and more regulated, more restricted, more expensive, and more difficult.  I suspect the same thing will happen with drones.

Yes, it is discouraging.

the drone will never get it's respect until the right person starts using them.  same with the mobile phone when it first came out, very few businessmen used them for official purposes and nobody had a problem with them.  as soon as ordinary people got them and use them for games, porn, and social calls, up went the signs saying no phones.  people were offended when you used them (not only if they could hear you but also if they could SEE you using one) and if you had more than one phone, you were suspicious.  the term burner was invented and it just wasn't cool any longer.  it took until apple and google and amazon gave a good reason for everyone to use a phone to pay for stuff, buy things, get directions, spend money.  the camera in the phone is no longer frowned up, using your phone to take videos in public is no longer a crime, not everyone is ok but it's more acceptable to video anyone and everything you see in public.  you don't need a government license for any of it.  nobody can confiscate your phone for using it.  nobody can confiscate your phone because you have one on your person.

however, even the recreational drone user has ridiculous rules and registrations and restrictions.  people who fly drones are hobbyist and have no rights.  only when fedex and ups and amazon integrate drones into mainstream society will the public view about drones change for the better.  only then will people stop thinking a drone is spying on them or following them.  only then will people stop looking down on drone flyers and take them seriously as an advancement to the community.  only then will people stop asking if you have permission to fly that drone.   you don't have to be wearing a uniform to fly a drone just like you don't have to be wearing a business suit to make a phone call at the dinner table at the ritz.  things will change one day but not before the big guys get involved.

and then one day you can fly into any civilized country and they won't confiscate your drone just because you have one.  there was a time you brought a sat phone into a country, you were asking for trouble but those days are gone.

Beta5K Posted at 8-1 12:32
Just my opinion, I think there will be stricter regulations in a few years since they are just more widely available compared to say 10 years ago. More recreational drone users are out there now, not completely knowing the rules, invading privacy, flying where they shouldn't be, etc. There's just more drones in the sky.
In the US, they recently implemented the TRUST certificate being "required" even for recreational users.

I understand it. I think that limitations will get stricter than now. I just want them to be more global, consistent, and clear, not "you can't drone!!! If you drone you bad!!!".
Something like driver's licenses which are commonly accepted among a number of countries with the same or similar rules. It looks an absolute nightmare to re-earn it from 0 in every country (except something like the EU or US that takes most of the continent) just to have fun taking photos and videos. It takes all fun out of this.

If you are planning to stay in this one country I think it will still be more strict from year to year, but when you need to do this registration in every country in the world, it sounds tiring as hell.

Burstmode Posted at 8-1 12:46
To be perfectly honest, I would not expect drone laws to become looser in the future.  I would expect the opposite.

All it takes is one idiot with a drone who breaks the rules, does something highly visible, and gets a big reaction from the government authorities - that has already happened in many places, and it is responsible for the current level of restrictions in some places.  Since there are plenty of irresponsible and stupid people (look around you) and since drones are getting less expensive and more capable, I think it's only a matter of time until greater restrictions are imposed on drone flights.   We will look back on today's regulations as "the good old days."

i dont think so, burst.  all the laws passed by congress and given to the faa to enforce have been studied and evaluated and passed over long periods of time and never as a result of someone doing something stupid.  please name one faa law that we didn't have, something bad happened, then we quickly got the new law?  i agree, there are illegal local laws that occur under those circumstances all the time. but 400 feet agl didn't used to be 500 feet until an idiot flew too high.  flying at night didn't become flying daytime only because secret drones hid in the dark.  flying at 50 feet right next to the airport is a big step over the insanity of a nfz within 5 miles of any runway.  i think you are just repeating rumors, maybe you don't remember the "old" drone laws.   maybe the no flying in a national park might count but that too awhile, it isn't enforced, and it for sure is "temporary."

but i get it, you're probably thinking about cars.  when people do stupid stuff, more traffic laws get passed.  a kid was driving 80mph and killed someone and the next week the new psl was 70mph.  an old man was driving down the wrong side of the road with headlights off and hit a family head on killing 5.  next week, the new law said headlights on all the time, day and night.  young girl was driving without registration/insurance destroyed two cars in an accident her fault.  next month, everyone is required post their insurance/registration on a sticker inside the windshield for everyone to see.  because that's the way we do things in a free america, right?  someone screws up, government increase the rules on everybody, right?  cars kill thousands and destroy millions in property so we need a bunch of new laws to reign in the chaos; drones kill 0, damage $0 but we need more strict rules, right?

most drone laws will be lifted eventually.  amazon will not be restricted to 400 agl.  ups will not fly vlos and will not use spotters.  fedex will not keep it under 100mph.  google will not limit flying during inclement weather. apple will fly drones in controlled airspace at night.  no way delivery drones will be banned from national parks.  that's where it starts and it ends with us ordinary people once everyone is comfortable and acceptable.  money talks.   you cannot stop visitors and tourists from driving vehicles in-country without losing money.  as soon as this is true for drones, the same will happen.

the idiots drone flyers play zero part in the creation and execution of future drone laws; please stop worrying about them; worry about what you're going to do to advance the cause.

awasua Posted at 8-1 10:06
I mean I can guess that "secret method" is what may put me in trouble.

I am just curious to know how serious the consequences may be.

The outcome will depend on the country you are in.  For example on a trip to Cancun, Mexico I observed a tourist from Canada get his drone confiscated for not being properly documented.  He tried to play the I'm just a tourist and didn't know any better....still didn't work as he lost his drone.  As you probably noticed on many of the countries regulations you can face a fine, jail and confiscation.  

To me it is not worth it to try and skirt the law.  I'm just to risk averse.