Flying a Drone in Oman: Green Zones, Serb and the 2026 Permit Pause
Oman designated 155 tourist sites as drone green zones in 2025, then paused all drone permits in March 2026 and resumed them in May. What applies now and what to check before you fly.
Flying a drone in Oman means a CAA permit and flying only in green zones shown on the Serb platform. In October 2025 Serb announced 155 tourist locations as green zones. In March 2026 the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suspended all drone permits, and on 25 May 2026 it resumed them. We last checked on 6 November 2026 and found no later change, but the CAA said its decision stands only "until further notice".
The timeline
- October 2025: Serb, the Omani company that runs the CAA's drone traffic platform, said 155 tourist sites were designated for drone flying, including places in Jabal Akhdar, Ras Al Hadd and Salalah. The Observer said the list was growing and that several hundred more candidate sites were under review. Serb also offered visitors an AirPass that bundles a drone licence, an import authorisation, access to flight zones and safety training.
- 17 February 2026: A CAA circular tightened drone sales. Shops must hold a licence and record their stock in the Airportal system, and ownership moves to the buyer in the Serb app before the drone leaves the shop. Selling or operating outside authorised channels can lead to legal action.
- 3 March 2026: The CAA suspended all drone permits, including government, commercial and recreational, and also paragliding and other aerial sports. It called this a precaution to protect national airspace, citing regional tensions and recent drone incidents, and said no new permits would be issued.
- 25 May 2026: The CAA resumed permits for drones, paragliding, paramotors, aerial sports aircraft and related events. Drone flights are allowed only in green zones identified on Serb, and users must follow the governing rules. The decision took effect immediately.
What this means in practice
- No permit, no flight. Serb is the registration and permit system, and the Government of Oman portal says violations lead to legal action. Flights are meant to be limited to approved zones, coordinated with military and security bodies.
- Check the map before each trip. Green zones are shown on Serb. We could not find an official full list of the 155 sites that is still current.
- Do not buy a drone informally. Use licensed sellers and make sure the Serb ownership transfer is done.
- Tourists should check first. We could not confirm that the AirPass route is operating after the pause. Ask Serb or the CAA in writing before you ship or carry a drone into Oman.
What we could not verify
The current number of green zones, the AirPass fee and whether the AirPass is available now. The October 2025 report gave no fees. Third-party guides quote prices and exemptions for small drones, but they conflict with each other and with older rules, so we left them out.
For planning a trip, see the Oman visa guide and the governorates guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly a drone in Oman right now?
Only with a permit and only inside green zones marked on the Serb platform. The Civil Aviation Authority resumed drone permits on 25 May 2026 'until further notice' after a pause that began on 3 March 2026.
Are there 155 green zones today?
155 tourist sites were announced in October 2025 and the list was described as growing. We found no newer official count, so check the Serb platform for the current map.
Can tourists bring a drone?
In 2025 Serb offered visitors an AirPass bundling a drone licence, an import authorisation, flight-zone access and safety training. We could not confirm whether the AirPass has been available since the 2026 pause, so contact Serb or the CAA before you travel with a drone.
Can I buy a drone from any shop?
No. A February 2026 CAA circular says drones should be bought only from licensed outlets, and ownership must be transferred to the buyer on the Serb application before the drone is handed over.