Asia
Singapore
CAAS — Unmanned Aircraft (Public Safety and Security) Act
Singapore has one of the strictest regimes in the world: mandatory registration above 250 g and permits almost always needed above certain weight/altitude thresholds, managed through the CAAS UA Portal.
200 feet (threshold above which a Class 2 Activity Permit is needed for recreational use under 25kg); there is no separate absolute ceiling beyond this permit threshold.
Mandatory for every drone above 250 g in all use categories, cost 25 SGD, valid for 2 years.
Basic Training Certificate required for recreational drones 1.5-7kg in public areas or events with over 50 people; full licence above 7kg and always for business use.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Additional permit required for flights above 200ft, in restricted areas or within 5km of airports/military bases; police permit for protected areas.
Verify officially before flying
Source: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
Last checked: 2026-08
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Singapore, the official reference remains Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), also via UA Portal. Mandatory for every drone above 250 g in all use categories, cost 25 SGD, valid for 2 years.
How this usually works
Here the requirement depends on factors like the drone's weight, distance from people, or use case (recreational vs. commercial). The note above describes the most common case: if your situation is different, check the official source to see exactly which scenario applies to you before flying. The exam and certificate are handled by Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), also via UA Portal. Basic Training Certificate required for recreational drones 1.5-7kg in public areas or events with over 50 people; full licence above 7kg and always for business use.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.