Airffic InspectionThe future guide to drone inspection

REGULATIONS / SG

Singapore: drone rules for inspection

Singapore regulates drones under ANR-101, and any UA over 250 g must be registered, even for indoor use. Business flying outdoors always needs a UA Pilot Licence, an Operator Permit and a Class 1 Activity Permit, whatever the weight, place or height. BVLOS is applied for through the same permits, with a safety assessment scaled to the risk category. Since 1 December 2025, UA over 250 g flown outdoors need Broadcast Remote ID (not indoors, and for business only where the operator is waived from the FlyItSafe app). Since February 2025, commercial flights up to 400 ft are allowed every day in designated areas away from aerodromes. Indoor inspection of a closed facility mainly needs registration, unless it is in a public place or at an event with more than 50 people.

Checked against official sources

Fields are recorded in the language of the research notes.

Authorityシンガポール民間航空庁 (CAAS) / Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
Main frameworkAir Navigation Act and the Air Navigation (101 – Unmanned Aircraft Operations) Regulations 2019 (ANR-101), amended on 13 February 2025 (notice NA6-2025), with CAAS advisory circulars on permits (AC ANR101-2-1 series).
RegistrationAny UA over 250 g must be registered with CAAS, whatever the purpose and whether it is flown indoors or outdoors. From 14 February 2025 there is no cap on the number of UA one person or company may register.
Remote IDSince 1 December 2025, UA over 250 g flown outdoors must carry Broadcast Remote ID (B-RID). For business flights the requirement applies only where the operator has a waiver from using the Centralised Flight Management System (CFMS) 'FlyItSafe' app. B-RID is not required for flights indoors or in enclosed spaces. CFMS (introduced in 2022) tracks permit holders' UA activity in real time.
Pilot licensingFor business (non-recreational, non-educational) outdoor flying, a UA Pilot Licence (UAPL) is required regardless of weight, location or height. Recreational and educational users need a Basic Training Certificate or UAPL for 1.5-7 kg UA and a UAPL above 7 kg. Indoors, business users need a UAPL in public places, at competitions or at events with more than 50 attendees.
Risk categoriesPermits, not Open/Specific. Business outdoor flying always needs an Operator Permit (organisation capability and airworthiness, valid up to one year) plus a Class 1 Activity Permit. Recreational flyers need a Class 2 Activity Permit for UA up to 25 kg flown above 200 ft AMSL, in restricted or danger areas, or within 5 km of an aerodrome or military airbase; above 25 kg, or for BVLOS, they need an Operator Permit and a Class 1 Activity Permit. Operator-permit applications are sorted into low, medium and high risk categories, each with its own safety targets.
BVLOSBVLOS requires an Operator Permit and a Class 1 Activity Permit. The operator-permit application must cover the intended operation and environment, a proposed risk category, UA design specifications, a compliance checklist and a system safety assessment. Medium- and high-risk operations also need a reliability demonstration.
Night & over peopleOver people: in the CAAS risk model, low-risk operations do not fly over uninvolved people, medium risk allows only temporary overflight where people may reasonably be present, and high risk covers deliberate overflight of uninvolved people. Night rules were not found in the pages reviewed (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
Near structuresActivity permits are cleared across agencies for controlled airspace, the five aerodromes (two civil, three military) and their no-fly zones, security-sensitive areas, protected parks and agency installations. Flying in a protected area also needs a Singapore Police Force permit, and UA activity in prohibited areas is never allowed. From 14 February 2025, commercial flights up to 400 ft AMSL are allowed on all days in designated areas, generally more than 6 km from aerodromes, and the permit time there fell from five to three working days. Above 400 ft in those areas, or above 200 ft elsewhere, flights remain weekend-only with a permit. A CFMS 'Call Approval' feature replaces phone calls to CAAS/RSAF and can give immediate clearance in pre-identified areas.
Indoor & confinedThe rules do apply indoors. Registration is still required above 250 g, but Remote ID is not. Business indoor flights need a UAPL, an Operator Permit and a Class 1 Activity Permit only in public places, at organised sporting competitions or at events with more than 50 attendees. Indoor inspection of a closed facility therefore mainly needs registration.
Imaging & privacyPersonal Data Protection Act 2012 (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
Recent changesANR-101 amendments of 13 February 2025: no cap on registration labels and simpler CFMS waivers, both from 14 February 2025, and Broadcast Remote ID for UA over 250 g from 1 December 2025. Also from 14 February 2025: commercial flights up to 400 ft AMSL on all days in designated areas, a three-working-day permit turnaround there, and CFMS 'Call Approval'.

Sources

Sources checked: 2026-10-22