Get permission to fly a drone as a foreign pilot or operator

You are considered a foreign pilot or operator 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 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

Find your category of operation to understand which certificate you need and how to get it. There are no special certification procedures for foreign pilots.

When you need or don’t need a foreign SFOC-RPAS

Drones under 250 g

Foreign drone pilots do not need an 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 recreationally

If you have a Canadian drone pilot certificate, and 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 an SFOC-RPAS. You must still fly within the privileges of your drone pilot certificate.

Flying a foreign-owned drone recreationally

The foreign drone owner needs an SFOC-RPAS to comply with the registration requirements.

Foreign pilots flying under a Canadian operator

If you are an employee, agent or representative of a Canadian RPAS operator, you don’t need an SFOC-RPAS. RPAS operator means the holder of an RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC) issued by TC.

Foreign commercial operators

Foreign based commercial air service operators can apply for an SFOC-RPAS for Foreign Specialty Air Service if:

  • they are citizens, permanent residents, or companies from a country that has a free trade agreement with Canada and under which the operation is authorized, and
  • that agreement allows them to operate this kind of air service in Canada.

Search for your country’s Free Trade Agreement at Canada’s international trade and investment agreements, using

  • Agreement Type: Free Trade Agreements
  • Status: In force

If a pilot wishes to operate a drone carrying cargo for monetary gain, the operator must have received an economic 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 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 an SFOC-RPAS to comply with registration requirements.

Flying a foreign-owned drone recreationally

If you are not using your drone for hire or reward, you still need an SFOC-RPAS but the application process is simplified. Recreational foreign pilots do not need to complete the Compliance checklist.

Foreign pilots flying commercially

You will need to include information about your drone as part of your application for an SFOC-RPAS for Foreign Specialty Air Service.

How to apply

Apply for an SFOC-RPAS for Foreign Recreational

  1. Apply for your SFOC-RPAS by completing an Application for a SFOC-RPAS form (PDF, 1.2 MB)
    1. See Advisory Circular (AC) 903-002 - Application Guidelines for an SFOC-RPAS
  2. Send us your SFOC-RPAS application form and documents by email to: TC.RPASCentre-CentreSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca

Apply for an SFOC-RPAS for Foreign Specialty Air Service

  1. Apply for your SFOC-RPAS by completing an Application for a SFOC-RPAS form (PDF, 1.2 MB)
    1. See Advisory Circular (AC) 903-002 - Application Guidelines for an SFOC-RPAS
  2. 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 “recreational” foreign pilots)
  3. Send us your SFOC-RPAS application form and documents by email to: TC.RPASCentre-CentreSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca

Compliance checklist

In your SFOC-RPAS application for Foreign 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
  • 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 Commercial Speciality Air Service – Request a copy

After you apply

It may take up to 30 working days to review and issue an SFOC-RPAS. Actual processing times can vary depending on the complexity and completeness of the request. An SFOC-RPAS should be issued within the 30-working day window, provided the applicant responds to additional requests in a timely manner.

A foreign pilot is usually issued an SFOC-RPAS valid for up to one year.

Guides and help

Contact us

Telephone: 1-800-305-2059
Email: TC.RPASCentre-CentreSATP.TC@tc.gc.ca

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