CAAM & Regulations
Drone permit requirements in Malaysia in 2026 involve more than one document. The specific combination you need depends entirely on what type of operation you’re conducting. Most operators know about the CAAM ATF. Far fewer know about the JUPEM APK permit, the UAWC company certificate, or the 30 March 2026 change that extended the ATF lead time to 14 working days. This article is the master checklist: all drone permit requirements in one place, mapped to your specific operation type.
Key takeaways
- Commercial drone operations in Malaysia require between 2 and 5 separate permits depending on operation type. ATF alone is never sufficient.
- From 30 March 2026, the minimum ATF submission lead time increased to 14 working days, up from the previous 10 days.
- Data-capture operations such as mapping, photography, and inspection require a JUPEM APK permit in addition to the ATF. This is the most commonly missed requirement.
- Agricultural spraying operations require RCoC-B plus Module 2, UAWC, and an Agricultural ATF. That’s three separate requirements beyond the pilot’s basic certification.
All drone permit requirements at a glance
| Permit | Issued by | Who needs it | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATF (Authorisation to Fly) | CAAM | All commercial operations | RM250 |
| RCoC-B (Pilot Certificate) | CAAM via RPTO | All commercial pilots | RM2,000–3,500 (training) |
| JUPEM APK Permit | JUPEM | All data-capture operations | RM50 |
| UAWC (Company Certificate) | CAAM | Agricultural drone companies | RM800 (new) |
| PDRM No Objection | PDRM | Putrajaya and sensitive zones | No fee |
| CGSO Clearance | CGSO | Government and restricted areas | No fee |
| ATC Clearance | Air Traffic Control | Within 4.5nm of airports | No fee |
Permit 1: ATF, required for all commercial operations
The Authorisation to Fly is the baseline permit requirement for every commercial drone operation, whether that’s mapping, inspection, cleaning, spraying, photography, or any other service you conduct for payment.
Key 2026 update: from 30 March 2026, you must submit ATF applications at least 14 working days before the planned operation, up from the previous 10-day minimum. In practice, many operators report actual approval times of 3 to 4 weeks, so submit as early as you can.
- Standard ATF fee: RM250 for drones below 20kg
- Submit to: drone.atf@caam.gov.my (standard) or drone.agr@caam.gov.my (agricultural)
- Form: Standard-ATF-Form-02-01. Always download the current version from CAAM
For a complete ATF application guide, read our ATF permit Malaysia drone guide.
Permit 2: RCoC-B, required for all commercial pilots
Every pilot who conducts a commercial drone operation must hold a current Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency (Basic), or RCoC-B, from CAAM. CAAM issues this certificate to the individual pilot, not the company.
- Validity: 2 years from theory examination date
- Obtained through: a CAAM-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO)
- Agricultural operations: you need RCoC-B plus a Module 2 (AGR) endorsement
- EVLOS operations: you need RCoC-B plus a Module 1 (EVLOS) endorsement
For full certification details, read our RCoC drone pilot Malaysia guide.
Permit 3: JUPEM APK, required for all data-capture operations
The JUPEM APK permit is the most commonly missed drone permit requirement in Malaysia. It applies to any operation where you capture aerial data, including photography, videography, mapping, inspection imagery, LiDAR, thermal scanning, or any spatial data collection.
- Apply before the ATF. JUPEM requires you to submit the approval letter as part of your ATF application.
- Apply through: eBiz JUPEM portal at ebiz.jupem.gov.my
- Fee: RM50 per project
- Processing: 5 to 7 working days standard; longer for sensitive locations
Operations that do NOT need JUPEM: drone cleaning and drone spraying where you carry no camera or sensor payload.
For full JUPEM application guidance, read our JUPEM permit drone Malaysia guide.
Permit 4: UAWC, required for agricultural drone companies
The Unmanned Aerial Work Certificate (UAWC) is a company-level permit that every business conducting commercial agricultural drone spraying in Malaysia must hold. It’s separate from, and in addition to, the pilot’s RCoC-B plus Module 2.
- Issued by: CAAM
- Cost: RM800 (new application), RM500 (annual renewal)
- Required for: crop spraying, fertiliser application, agricultural payload delivery
- Not required for: mapping, inspection, cleaning, or non-agricultural operations
Additional clearances by location
Depending on where you operate, you’ll need extra approvals before you can submit your ATF.
Near airports (within 4.5 nautical miles)
You need Air Traffic Control clearance from the relevant airport. Contact the ATC unit at the nearest aerodrome and get a written clearance letter before you submit your ATF to CAAM.
Putrajaya and KL sensitive zones
You need two additional approvals here: a PDRM No Objection Letter from the Royal Malaysia Police, and written approval from the Chief Government Security Office (CGSO). Allow at least 3 to 4 weeks total for Putrajaya and central KL operations, not just the 14-day ATF minimum.
Government, military, and restricted facilities
You need CGSO clearance for all operations near military installations, police facilities, prisons, and restricted government buildings.
Sarawak
All drone operations in Sarawak need additional authorisation from the Office of the Premier of Sarawak, on top of your federal CAAM permits.
Sabah
Contact CAAM’s Sabah regional office for project-specific guidance on operations near sensitive locations there.
Requirements by operation type
| Operation | ATF | RCoC-B | JUPEM | UAWC | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerial photography / videography | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| Drone mapping / survey | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| Building inspection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| Drone cleaning | Yes | Yes | No | No | — |
| Agricultural spraying | Yes (AGR) | Yes + Mod 2 | No | Yes | — |
| Near airport | Yes | Yes | If data capture | If agri | ATC clearance |
| Putrajaya / KL sensitive | Yes | Yes | If data capture | If agri | PDRM + CGSO |
| EVLOS operations | Yes | Yes + Mod 1 | If data capture | If agri | — |
The correct application sequence
Getting the sequence right prevents delays and rejected applications. Follow this order:
- Landowner permission letter: secure this before you do anything else.
- JUPEM APK permit (if data capture): apply first, since processing takes 5 to 14 working days.
- PDRM / CGSO / ATC clearance (if location-specific): apply these in parallel with your JUPEM application.
- CAAM ATF: apply after you receive your JUPEM and other clearances. Allow 14+ working days.
- Payment: CAAM issues payment instructions when it approves your ATF. You receive the ATF only after you confirm payment.
FAQ
What permits do I need for commercial drone photography in Malaysia?
Commercial drone photography requires three things. First, a CAAM ATF (RM250, 14 working days). Second, a JUPEM APK aerial data permit (RM50, 5 to 7 working days). Third, your pilot must hold a valid RCoC-B certificate. Apply for JUPEM first, then attach the approval letter to your CAAM ATF application.
Has the ATF lead time changed in 2026?
Yes. From 30 March 2026, CAAM requires you to submit ATF applications at least 14 working days before your planned operation, up from the previous 10-day minimum. In practice, operators report actual approval times of 3 to 4 weeks for standard applications, so plan your timelines accordingly.
Do drone cleaning operations need a JUPEM permit?
No. Drone cleaning operations that carry no camera, sensor, or data-capture payload don’t trigger the JUPEM requirement. That said, you still need a CAAM ATF and an RCoC-B certified pilot for all commercial drone cleaning operations.
Conclusion
Drone permit requirements in Malaysia in 2026 are layered. The combination you need depends entirely on your operation type and location. ATF alone is never sufficient for most professional commercial operations.
Use the tables in this guide as your starting checklist before each project. For detailed guidance on any individual permit, follow the links to our dedicated guides.
LangiTech Aerial manages all drone permit requirements in Malaysia, including ATF, JUPEM, UAWC, and additional agency clearances, as a standard part of every project we deliver.
Contact LangiTech Aerial to discuss your project compliance requirements.
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