Each Northern Emirate runs its own police CCTV programme — Himaya in Ras Al Khaimah, ZAM in Fujairah, and police approval in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. Here's who must comply and how approval works. (SIRA does not apply here — that's Dubai only.)
💬 Free compliance survey UAE-wide guideUnder RAK Local Law No. 3 of 2015, CCTV is mandatory for all entities in Ras Al Khaimah — residential compounds, towers, offices, government departments, mosques, hospitals, schools, hotels, exchange houses, gold & jewellery shops and villas. Key verified requirements:
| Requirement | RAK rule |
|---|---|
| Retention | Minimum 90 days |
| Cameras | Colour, high-definition; covering all entrances/exits, lobbies, reception and parking access (to capture number plates) |
| Connection | May only connect to RAK-Police-licensed bodies — never unlicensed external entities |
| Approval | Register on Himaya via RAK Police; use accredited providers; RAK Police inspection visits; technical spec via the General Authority (GRA) |
Source: RAK Law No. 3 of 2015 (RAK Police "Himaya"); reported via Khaleej Times. RAK ran renewed enforcement with a Feb 2025 compliance push. Exact GRA technical figures should be confirmed against the current GRA spec.
Regulator: Fujairah Police GHQ, via the ZAM (زام) CCTV & security-systems programme. Police permission is required before installing or servicing a system, approved camera-layout plans must be submitted, and work must be done by companies with certified-technician ID cards. Approved companies issue clearance certificates.
Regulator: Ajman Police (CID CCTV section). Installers submit a camera-point sketch/layout plan to Ajman Police for approval; only police-certified companies may install, with technicians trained and ID-carded by the police. Common categories include buildings, offices, warehouses, pharmacies, mobile shops and malls.
Regulator: UAQ Police, alongside the UAQ Economic Department. A UAQ-Police-approved Video Management System (VMS) and a police-certified installer are required — particularly for businesses in industrial areas.
For Ajman, Fujairah and UAQ, published technical specifications and retention periods are limited. We confirm the current requirement for your premises directly with the relevant police authority before installing — rather than quoting figures that may be out of date.
On top of each emirate's police rules, Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 (PDPL) governs CCTV footage as personal data across the whole UAE — lawful basis, secure storage, signage and privacy masking included.
Servia is a SIRA-licensed UAE security provider. In RAK, Ajman, Fujairah and UAQ we deliver compliant, approved systems through police-accredited installation partners (Himaya, ZAM and local police approval). Tell us your emirate and premises type — we'll confirm the local requirement and quote a fixed price.
💬 WhatsApp us UAE guideYes — under RAK Law No. 3 of 2015 it's mandatory for all entities, with a minimum 90-day retention, registered on RAK Police's Himaya system.
ZAM is Fujairah Police's CCTV/security-systems programme; police permission and approved installers are required before installation.
No — SIRA is Dubai-only. Each Northern Emirate is regulated by its own police force (Himaya in RAK, ZAM in Fujairah, police approval in Ajman & UAQ).