You are considered a foreign pilot if you are not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or corporation incorporated by/under federal or provincial law.
As a foreign pilot flying a drone weighing 250 grams (g) or more in Canada, you need a Canadian drone pilot certificate, even if you are authorized to fly drones in your home country.
You might also need a Foreign Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) to fly a drone in Canada.
On this page
- Getting your drone pilot certificate
- When you need or don’t need a foreign SFOC-RPAS
- Drones under 250 g
- Flying a Canadian-registered drone for non-commercial purposes
- Flying a foreign-owned drone for non-commercial purposes
- Foreign pilots flying under a Canadian RPAS operator
- Foreign pilots providing a commercial air service
- Flying beyond Basic, Advanced or Level 1 Complex Operations
- Registering your foreign-owned drone
- How to apply
- After you apply
- Fees and services standards
- Guides and help
- Contact us
Getting your drone pilot certificate
Find your category of operation to understand which pilot certificate you need and how to get it. There are no special pilot certification procedures or credits for foreign pilots.
When you need or don’t need a foreign SFOC-RPAS
Drones under 250 g
Foreign drone pilots do not need a Foreign SFOC-RPAS to fly drones under 250 g except to fly at an advertised event.
Drones weighing under 250 g don’t need to be registered.
You also need to follow all safety guidelines for microdrones (under 250 g).
Flying a Canadian-registered drone for non-commercial purposes
If you are flying a drone for non-commercial purposes, if you hold a Canadian drone pilot certificate and if you are flying a drone that is registered by a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or corporation incorporated by/under federal or provincial law, you don’t need a Foreign SFOC-RPAS. You must still fly within the privileges of your drone pilot certificate.
Flying a foreign-owned drone for non-commercial purposes
Drones weighing 250 g and above must be registered. Foreign pilots can’t register their drones but can apply for a Foreign SFOC-RPAS to comply with registration requirements.
If you are not using your drone for hire or reward, you still need an SFOC-RPAS but the application process is simplified. Recreational and non-commercial foreign pilots do not need to complete the Compliance checklist.
Foreign pilots flying under a Canadian RPAS operator
If you are an employee, agent or representative of a Canadian RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC) holder, you don’t need a Foreign SFOC-RPAS. RPAS operator means the holder of an RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC) issued by TC.
Foreign pilots providing a commercial air service
Foreign-based commercial air service operators looking to provide a specialty air service (SAS) can apply for a Foreign SFOC-RPAS for Commercial Air Service if they are citizens, permanent residents, or companies from a country that has a free trade agreement in place with Canada under which specialty air services is authorized. These countries include (June 2026):
- Australia
- Brunei
- Chile
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Peru
- Singapore
- Ukraine
- USA
- Vietnam
If your company is not from one of the above 13 countries, you may apply for a temporary regulatory exemption. Please note that regulatory exemptions are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to the impacts on aviation safety or security and whether issuance is in the public interest. This includes examining the economic, social, and/or environmental benefits of the exemption request, as well as whether there is domestic interest or capacity to offer similar services.
If you wish to operate a drone for commercial air transport services, carrying goods or cargo for hire and reward, you must also have received a license from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). For more information, see the CTA’s Canadian Air Carrier License Application Guide.
Flying beyond Basic, Advanced or Level 1 Complex Operations
If your drone operations would normally require an SFOC-RPAS (even as a Canadian), you will need to follow the steps for applying for an SFOC-RPAS for an advertised event, or for medium or high-complexity operations.
Registering your foreign-owned drone
Drones weighing 250 g and above must be registered. Foreign pilots can’t register their drones but can apply for a Foreign SFOC-RPAS to comply with registration requirements.
Flying a foreign-owned drone for non-commercial purposes
If you are not using your foreign drone for hire or reward, you still need a Foreign SFOC-RPAS, but the application process is simplified. Non-commercial foreign pilots do not need to complete a Compliance checklist.
Foreign pilots flying for commercial air service purposes
If you want to provide a specialty service for hire and reward with a foreign drone, you will need to include information about your drone as part of your application for a Foreign SFOC-RPAS to provide Commercial Air Service.
How to apply
Apply for a Foreign SFOC-RPAS
- Apply for your SFOC-RPAS by completing an Application for a SFOC-RPAS form (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- If you are a foreign pilot asking to provide commercial speciality air services, gather the documentation specified in the Compliance checklist (Compliance checklist not required for “non-commercial purpose” foreign pilots)
- Send us your SFOC-RPAS application form and support documents by email to:
TC.RPASCentre-CentreSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca
Compliance checklist
In your Foreign SFOC-RPAS application to provide Commercial Speciality Air Service, you will need to document in detail:
- proof of citizenship of a foreign state with which Canada has entered into a free trade agreement and under which the operation is authorized
- RPA pilot qualifications
- the purpose of the planned RPAS operation
- manufacturer and model information of the RPAS
- any other information deemed relevant by the applicant
Compliance checklist for Foreign SFOC-RPAS for Commercial Air Service – Request a copy - Compliance checklist for Foreign SFOC-RPAS for Commercial Air Service
After you apply
A foreign pilot is usually issued an SFOC-RPAS valid for up to one year.
Fees and services standards
Actual processing times can vary depending on the complexity and completeness of the request.
Time is counted in working days and begins as soon as we receive a complete application along with all required documents and fees.
Fees and service standards for SFOC-RPAS issuance
| Service | Fee | Service standard |
|---|---|---|
| Flying a foreign-owned drone for non-commercial purposes (very low-complexity operation under CAR 903.02(1)) | 30 business days | |
| Foreign pilot flying for hire or reward/providing a commercial air service (medium-complexity operation under CAR 900.09 (2)(b)) | 60 business days | |
| Foreign owned-drone or foreign-registered drone used for hire or reward/providing a commercial air service (medium-complexity operation under CAR 900.09 and 900.13(2)) | 60 business days | |
| Re-issue an SFOC with a minor amendment (CAR 903.02(5)) | 20 business days |
*Note: If the application includes several operations, the highest complexity level applies. If an application includes two or more medium-complexity operations, the application is deemed a high-complexity operation at a fee of $2,034.
Guides and help
- Fly your drone safely and legally
- Advisory Circular (AC) 903-002 - Application Guidelines for a SFOC-RPAS
- Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual - RPA Chapter
- Canadian Aviation Regulations - Part IX
Contact us
Telephone: 1-800-305-2059