FAA U.S. Agent for Service: What International Drone Operators (Part 107) Need to Know
If you hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and live outside the United States, the FAA's U.S. Agent for Service rule applies to you — and the compliance deadline has already passed.
Here's what you need to know as an international drone operator.
## Why Part 107 Certificate Holders Are Affected
The FAA's U.S. Agent for Service requirement under 14 CFR Part 3, Subpart C covers anyone who holds or applies for certificates under several parts of the regulation — including Part 107, which governs small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), commonly known as drones.
If you obtained your Part 107 certificate while visiting or living in the US, and you've since returned to your home country with a foreign address on file with the FAA, you need a U.S. Agent.
This might surprise some drone operators who view their Part 107 as a "side" certification — but the FAA makes no distinction. A Part 107 certificate carries the same USAS requirement as a Part 61 pilot certificate.
## What's at Stake?
Without a designated U.S. Agent for Service, you may not exercise the privileges of your Part 107 certificate. That means you cannot legally operate drones under FAA authority until you comply.
The FAA can also take enforcement action, and new Part 107 applicants will not be issued certificates without a designated agent.
## How to Comply
The process is the same as for any other FAA certificate holder:
1. Choose a U.S. Agent for Service (like AeroTrust Agency)
2. Designate them through the FAA USAS Portal at usas.faa.gov
3. Receive your confirmation email
It takes about 10 minutes and your designation covers all FAA certificates you hold — so if you also have a Part 61 pilot certificate, one designation covers both.
## Cost
AeroTrust Agency offers U.S. Agent for Service designation for $29.90/year with pay-per-use mail handling. Since most drone operators rarely receive FAA mail, the pay-per-use model means you're not paying for scanning packages you'll never use.
Get compliant today at aerotrustagency.com.
