Foreign Aircraft Permit Requirement for Commercial Operations

Verified from official sources
Information for International UAS Operators in the United States | Obtain Economic AuthorityVersion 1Effective -Verified 22 August 2026

In plain language

If you are a foreign operator wanting to fly commercial drone missions in the US, you must get a foreign aircraft permit from the DOT first.

Requirement as structured

An operator of a foreign civil aircraft must hold a foreign aircraft permit issued by the DOT and comply with applicable FAA requirements before engaging in commercial air operations in the United States.

Original regulatory text

An operator of a foreign civil aircraft must hold a foreign aircraft permit issued by DOT and comply with applicable FAA requirements before engaging in any commercial air operations in the U.S.

Applies when

country
United States
operation
commercial
operator type
foreign
regulatory category
General