CAAM & Regulations
The ATF permit Malaysia drone requirement applies to every commercial drone operation in the country. The Authorisation to Fly (ATF) is the site-specific flight permission that CAAM issues before any commercial drone can legally take off — regardless of the drone’s size, the operation’s purpose, or the pilot’s experience level. Without a valid ATF, your operation violates MCAR 2016 and exposes you to fines of up to RM50,000. This guide walks you through exactly how to apply, what documents you need, how much it costs, and — critically — what causes applications to get rejected.
Key Takeaways
- The ATF permit Malaysia drone application must be submitted at least 14 working days before your intended flight date — late submissions are rejected without exception
- Standard fee is RM250 for drones under 20kg; high-risk or above-20kg operations cost RM500 to RM1,000
- If your operation involves aerial data capture — mapping, photography, inspection imagery — you additionally need a JUPEM APK permit before applying for the ATF
- KL, Putrajaya, and areas near airports require additional approvals beyond the standard ATF that significantly extend your preparation timeline
What Is the ATF Permit Malaysia Drone Requirement?
The Authorisation to Fly (ATF) is a site-specific, operation-specific flight permit issued by CAAM under the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016 (Part XVI). It authorises a specific drone, operated by a specific pilot, to fly at a specific location on specific dates under defined conditions.
Every commercial drone operation in Malaysia requires one. Furthermore, even non-commercial operations above certain risk levels — flights near airports, above 400ft/122m AGL, or in controlled airspace — require an ATF. The ATF is not a general licence. It does not carry over from one project to the next. You need a new ATF for each individual deployment.
Think of it as the site permit for your drone flight — the equivalent of a work permit for construction, but for airspace.
Types of ATF Permit Malaysia Drone Operations
Not all ATF applications follow the same process. CAAM categorises drone operations into different ATF types based on risk level and operation type.
Standard ATF — Most Common
The Standard ATF covers low-to-medium-risk commercial operations. This includes aerial photography, drone mapping and surveying, building inspection, construction monitoring, and high-rise cleaning operations in non-restricted areas. Consequently, this is the most commonly used ATF type for professional drone service providers. The fee is RM250 for drones under 20kg, and the standard processing time is 14 working days.
Agricultural ATF (AGR)
Agricultural drone operations — crop spraying, fertiliser application, and any dispensation of agricultural payloads — fall under a separate ATF category governed by CAD 6011 Part II. As a result, these applications go to a different CAAM department (drone.agr@caam.gov.my) rather than the standard ATF email. Furthermore, the operating company must hold a UAWC alongside the pilot’s RCoC-B + Module 2 certification.
Special ATF — Higher Risk Operations
Special ATF covers operations that fall outside standard parameters — including BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight), flights over congested areas, night operations, and operations involving drones above 20kg. Fees for these operations range from RM500 to RM1,000 and typically involve a pre-application meeting with CAAM (JAKUAS process) before submission.
KL and Putrajaya Operations
Flying in Kuala Lumpur’s city centre or Putrajaya requires additional layers of approval on top of the Standard ATF. Specifically, you need a No Objection letter from PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) and written approval from the CGSO (Chief Government Security Office). These approvals take additional time — therefore, factor at least 3 to 4 weeks for full KL/Putrajaya clearance, not just the standard 14 days.
Documents Required for ATF Permit Malaysia Drone Application
Incomplete applications are among the most common reasons CAAM rejects ATF submissions. Therefore, prepare every document on this checklist before sending — a single missing item results in rejection and restarts your 14-working-day clock.
Core Documents (All Standard ATF Applications)
1. Completed ATF Application Form Use the current form: UAS/ATF-01 (Standard Application to Fly). Always download the latest version directly from caam.gov.my — outdated forms are a rejection trigger. Fill in every field completely and leave nothing blank.
2. Pilot’s RCoC-B Certificate A copy of the pilot’s current, valid Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency — Basic (RCoC-B). The certificate must not be expired. If the operation involves EVLOS, attach Module 1. If agricultural, attach Module 2.
3. Drone Registration / SIRIM Documentation Proof that the drone meets SIRIM electronic equipment certification requirements and CAAM registration for drones above 20kg. For drones under 20kg, provide the drone’s technical specifications — make, model, serial number, maximum takeoff weight, and camera details if equipped.
4. Flight Plan A detailed flight plan covering: location (with GPS coordinates or Google Earth KMZ/KML file), flight dates and times, maximum altitude, operational radius, and purpose of flight. CAAM specifically requires the KMZ/KML format for the operational area — a text description of the location is insufficient.
5. Public Liability Insurance Certificate Valid public liability insurance covering the drone operation is mandatory for all commercial ATF applications. The certificate must name the drone operator and cover the intended flight period.
6. Landowner Permission Letter Signed permission from the landowner or property manager is required for drone operations over their property. For public land or government-owned sites, the relevant authority’s permission letter is required instead.
7. Risk Assessment Your risk assessment must identify potential hazards, mitigation measures, and emergency procedures for the specific operation. It does not need to be lengthy — however, it must be present and specific to the site and operation type.
Additional Documents for Specific Operations
| Operation Type | Additional Document Required |
|---|---|
| Aerial photography/mapping | JUPEM APK permit (obtain first) |
| Agricultural spraying | UAWC certificate + Module 2 endorsement |
| EVLOS operations | Module 1 endorsement on RCoC |
| Near airport (within 4.5km) | Air Traffic Control clearance letter |
| KL / Putrajaya | PDRM No Objection + CGSO approval letters |
| Government/military areas | CGSO approval letter |
How to Apply for the ATF Permit Malaysia Drone — Step by Step
Step 1 — Confirm Whether You Also Need a JUPEM APK Permit
Before starting your ATF application, determine whether your operation involves aerial data capture — photography, videography, mapping, inspection imagery, or any form of spatial data collection. If yes, you need a JUPEM APK permit from the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia in addition to the ATF.
Critically, apply for the JUPEM APK permit first. CAAM requires the JUPEM approval letter as a supporting document in your ATF application for data-capture operations. Without it, therefore, your ATF application will be incomplete. JUPEM APK applications typically take 7 to 14 working days, so factor this into your total lead time.
Step 2 — Secure Landowner Permission
Contact the landowner or property manager and obtain a signed permission letter for drone operations. This step is frequently overlooked — and, as a result, applications without it are rejected immediately.
Step 3 — Check Whether Additional Agency Approvals Are Needed
Depending on your flight location, you may need approvals from additional agencies before submitting to CAAM. Specifically, check the following conditions:
- Near airports (within 4.5km): Contact the relevant Air Traffic Control unit
- Putrajaya or KL sensitive zones: Apply to PDRM and CGSO
- Sarawak: Additional authorisation from the Office of the Premier
- Restricted government or military areas: CGSO approval required
CAAM’s own guidance specifies that for operations requiring JAKUAS (inter-agency) coordination, operators should attend a pre-application meeting with CAAM before submitting the formal ATF. Contact CAAM at drone.atf@caam.gov.my to enquire if your planned operation falls into this category.
Step 4 — Complete the ATF Application Form
Download the current UAS/ATF-01 form from caam.gov.my. Complete every field. Prepare your KMZ/KML location file showing the exact operational area in Google Earth format.
Step 5 — Submit the Application
Email your completed application and all supporting documents to drone.atf@caam.gov.my at least 14 working days before your intended first flight date. For agricultural operations, send to drone.agr@caam.gov.my instead.
Your email subject line should clearly state the operation date range and location. Additionally, attach all documents as individual clearly labelled PDF or Word files — not as a single compressed archive.
Upon approval, CAAM issues payment instructions. Notably, your ATF is only granted after full payment confirmation. The standard fee is RM250 for drones under 20kg.
Step 6 — Receive and Carry Your ATF
Once approved and paid, CAAM issues your ATF letter. Print multiple copies and carry them during all operations along with all supporting approval correspondence. Your ATF is valid for the specific dates and location stated — typically up to 3 months from the first operation date. It does not cover additional sites or dates beyond what was approved.
Common ATF Rejection Reasons — and How to Avoid Them
This is the section no other Malaysian drone resource covers — and it is the most practically useful information for anyone applying for the first time. Specifically, these are the patterns CAAM consistently flags.
1. Outdated application form CAAM updates its forms periodically. Consequently, submitting an old version results in immediate rejection. Always download the form fresh from caam.gov.my before each application.
2. Missing KMZ/KML location file A text description or screenshot of the location is not accepted. CAAM requires the operational area as a Google Earth KMZ or KML file. This is explicitly required in the application guidelines — yet it is the most commonly missed item.
3. No landowner permission letter Submitting without a signed landowner permission letter is an automatic rejection. This applies even for operations on seemingly public land — confirm the landowner and get the letter first.
4. Incomplete risk assessment A generic risk assessment copied from a template without site-specific content is frequently rejected. Your risk assessment must therefore reference the specific location, terrain, nearby structures, and operation type.
5. Missing JUPEM APK for data-capture operations Submitting an ATF application for mapping, photography, or inspection work without attaching the JUPEM APK approval is one of the most common errors. Apply for JUPEM first — then attach the approval letter to your ATF submission.
6. Late submission CAAM will not expedite applications submitted fewer than 14 working days before the intended flight. Public holidays extend this window further. As a result, submit early — ideally 20 to 25 working days before your flight date for any operation with complexity.
7. Expired pilot RCoC Attaching an expired RCoC certificate results in rejection. Before every application, verify the expiry date on your RCoC and ensure it covers the full intended operation period.
ATF Permit Malaysia Drone: Timeline Planning Guide
The 14 working-day minimum is not a suggestion — it is a hard deadline. Plan your project timelines backwards from the flight date.
For a standard commercial operation in a non-restricted area:
- Day 0: Confirm project scope and location
- Days 1–3: Secure landowner permission
- Days 3–5: Apply for JUPEM APK (if data capture involved)
- Days 5–7: Receive JUPEM approval; complete ATF application
- Day 7: Submit ATF to CAAM (must be at least 14 working days before flight)
- Days 7–21: CAAM processing period
- Day 21+: Receive ATF; arrange payment; confirm approval
- Day 25+: Earliest safe flight date
If your operation is in KL, Putrajaya, or near an airport, add 1 to 2 extra weeks for PDRM/CGSO/ATC approvals before the ATF submission.
Agricultural operations under AGR ATF should be submitted to drone.agr@caam.gov.my on the same timeline, with UAWC documentation attached.
What Is Coming: The 2026 UAS-TMS System
CAAM is currently rolling out the UAS Traffic Management System (UAS-TMS) — a digital platform that will eventually replace the manual email-based ATF application process. Once live, operators will register drones, apply for permits, and receive approvals through the UAS-TMS portal. Multiple agencies including JUPEM, MCMC, SIRIM, and CAAM will connect to a single system — a significant coordination improvement.
The UAS-TMS promises significantly faster approval times compared to the current 14-working-day manual process. For commercial operators conducting regular deployments, this will consequently reduce project friction considerably. However, the manual email process remains in effect throughout 2026 — monitor CAAM’s official website for launch announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ATF approval take in Malaysia?
CAAM’s standard processing time is 14 working days from the date of complete submission. Note that this refers to working days — not calendar days. Public holidays and weekends do not count. For complex operations requiring JAKUAS inter-agency coordination, processing takes longer. Therefore, submit as early as possible to protect your project timeline.
Can I fly a drone commercially without an ATF in Malaysia?
No. All commercial drone operations require a valid ATF under MCAR 2016. Flying without one exposes you to fines of up to RM50,000 for individuals and RM100,000 for companies. Furthermore, any incident involving an unauthorised flight voids your insurance coverage.
Do I need a new ATF for every drone flight?
Yes — the ATF is site-specific and operation-specific. It covers the location, dates, and conditions stated in your approved application. A new ATF is required for each new project, location, or date range. However, a single ATF can cover a multi-day operation at the same location if the dates are specified in the original application.
What is the difference between the ATF and the JUPEM APK permit?
The ATF is your flight authorisation from CAAM — permission to fly the drone in the airspace. The JUPEM APK permit is your aerial data acquisition authorisation from JUPEM — permission to capture and retain aerial data over Malaysian territory. Both are required for operations involving photography, mapping, or inspection imagery. Apply for JUPEM first, then attach the approval to your ATF application.
How much does an ATF permit cost in Malaysia?
Standard ATF for drones under 20kg costs RM250 per application, valid for up to 3 months. Drones above 20kg or high-risk special operations cost RM500 to RM1,000. JUPEM APK permits carry a separate fee — refer to JUPEM’s e-Biz portal for current rates.
Conclusion
The ATF permit Malaysia drone application process is straightforward when you know what is required and plan your timelines accordingly. In practice, most failures — late submission, missing the JUPEM APK, incomplete risk assessments, outdated forms — are entirely avoidable with proper preparation.
Simply put: start your application at least 20 to 25 working days before your intended flight date. This gives you buffer for JUPEM approvals, any CAAM queries, and unforeseen delays — without putting your project timeline at risk.
LangiTech Aerial manages all CAAM ATF and JUPEM APK permit applications as part of every project we deliver. You brief the project; we handle the compliance.
For more on CAAM regulations and commercial drone compliance in Malaysia, read our CAAM drone regulations Malaysia guide and our RCoC drone pilot Malaysia certification guide.
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