Quick Answer
The Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) regulates drones in Jordan. It is the government body in charge of civil aviation. Flying a drone for commercial filming usually needs approval from CARC first. Rules cover where you can fly, what you can film, and how far ahead you must apply. Rules and forms can change. Always confirm the current process with CARC before a shoot.
Who Regulates Drones in Jordan
CARC sits under Jordan's aviation framework. It oversees both manned and unmanned aircraft. This includes small camera drones, FPV drones, and larger commercial platforms.
CARC publishes guidance for drone operators on its official website. This includes an application process for drone flight approval. If you plan any kind of drone filming, check CARC first. Do not rely on a travel forum or a blog post. Rules can change, and only the regulator has the current version. If you are visiting and want to bring your own drone, read flying a drone in Jordan as a tourist before you pack it.
Why Commercial Filming Needs Approval
Flying a drone for a personal video in your backyard is different from flying for a commercial shoot. Commercial work usually means:
- Filming for a paying client, such as a brand, agency, hotel or production company.
- Flying in a public space, near roads, or close to other people.
- Using footage in advertising, a film, or paid social media content.
Aviation authorities treat commercial flights with more care than casual hobby flying. There is more at stake: bigger drones, harder locations, and a paying client who needs the shoot to go smoothly. In Jordan, this usually means a production needs CARC approval before filming. Arrange this with enough lead time to avoid delays.
Areas That Are Typically Restricted
Every country limits where drones can fly, and Jordan is no exception. Authorities set the exact boundaries, and these can change. But some general categories are almost always restricted:
- Airports and their approach paths. Any drone near an active runway is a serious safety risk to manned aircraft.
- Military and security sites. Bases, checkpoints, and other sensitive spots are off-limits to drone photography.
- Government buildings and embassies. Most countries treat these as security-sensitive locations.
- Crowded public events. Large crowds raise safety concerns if a drone loses control.
- Border areas. Flying near international borders usually needs extra clearance, if it is allowed at all.
Some historic and protected sites, such as Petra, have their own rules on top of general aviation law. A shoot at a landmark like this often needs sign-off from more than one authority. Do not assume a location is open just because a video of it exists online. Confirm current access with CARC and the site's own management before you plan a shoot there.
The General Process for Getting Permission
CARC sets the exact steps, forms, and timelines. But the general shape of the process for commercial drone filming looks like this:
- Define the shoot. Know your exact filming dates, locations, drone type, and flight plan before you apply.
- Submit an application to CARC. CARC offers an application route for drone operations approval. Check its website for the current form and requirements.
- Allow lead time. Aviation approvals are not instant. Coordination with other authorities takes time, so apply well ahead of your shoot date, not the week before.
- Confirm any local sign-off. Some sites, especially protected or historic locations, need permission from the site's own management too.
- Keep your approval on hand during the shoot. Be ready to show it if police, security, or site staff ask for it.
Processing times, required documents, and fees are set by CARC and can change. This guide will not state specific numbers. If you are budgeting a shoot, our guide on how to plan an FPV shoot covers permits as one line item among several. A production should build in a buffer for approval time, not assume a fixed number of days.
What This Means for Brands and Agencies
If you are a marketing manager or event planner bringing in a drone team, the takeaway is simple. Build the approval process into your production timeline, not around it. A pilot who films commercially in Jordan should already know the current CARC requirements. They can guide you through what your specific location and drone type will need.
This is one reason it helps to work with a local pilot. A local pilot understands both the creative side of the shoot and the regulatory side. This beats flying in an unfamiliar drone team from abroad with no local guidance. Our guide on how to choose an FPV pilot lists the questions worth asking about permits and experience.
What Happens If You Fly Without Permission
Flying without the required approval is a real risk, not a formality to skip. It can mean the drone gets confiscated, the flight gets stopped, or the operator and client face fines or legal trouble. For a commercial shoot, an unapproved flight can also put a client's brand in an awkward spot if it becomes public news.
The safest approach is always the same. Assume approval is needed. Ask CARC directly what applies to your shoot. Build in time to get it. No deadline is worth flying without the right permission.
Staying Current
Drone regulation is young and still changing in most countries, and Jordan is actively updating its rules as drone use grows. A rule that applied last year might change this year. Before every commercial shoot, confirm:
- Whether your planned location needs special approval.
- What the current application process and lead time look like.
- Whether your specific drone type (weight, whether it is FPV or GPS-stabilized) changes anything.
A quick check with CARC, or with an experienced local pilot who stays current on the rules, takes far less time than dealing with a stopped shoot on the day.