Can you fly a drone to film or photograph in Indonesia?

In Bali, the I Gusti Ngurah Rai airport safety zone covers parts of Badung, Tabanan and Denpasar, and flying a drone there needs permission through the DGCA's SIDOPI system.

Sources: Bali provincial spatial-planning portal: Kawasan Keselamatan Operasi Penerbangan di Provinsi Bali (summary of Perda Bali 2/2023, Indonesian) · Ngurah Rai Immigration Office: Sosialisasi Perizinan Drone, 10 July 2025, reporting the airport authority's drone permit briefing (Indonesian) · Ministry of Transportation: Kantor Otoritas Bandar Udara Wilayah IV I Gusti Ngurah Rai - Denpasar, work area (Indonesian) · Ministry of Transportation Regulation PM 37 of 2020, via BPK legal database (PDF, Indonesian)

Photo and film shoots need a letter of approval from the authorised institution or party. Approval applications must include a letter from the authority or owner of the area, and must be filed with the DGCA at least 14 working days before the flight, with drone insurance covering third-party losses.

Sources: Ministry of Transportation Regulation PM 37 of 2020, via BPK legal database (PDF, Indonesian)

Before flying, the DGCA's SIDOPI-GO portal takes you through three steps: register the drone, get a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) for drones up to 25 kg, and apply for operation approval for the area and time. Registration, the pilot certificate and operation approval are all free. A small-drone registration certificate lasts no more than three years from issue.

Sources: DGCA: SIDOPI-GO drone portal (Indonesian) · DGCA: frequently asked questions (Indonesian) · DGCA: Staff Instruction 8900-12.01, small drone registration (PDF)

In uncontrolled airspace, drones may fly up to 120 m (400 ft) without DGCA approval. Above 120 m, or in controlled airspace, you need approval from the Director General. Commercial flights with drones under 55 lb need a safety assessment from the Director General of Civil Aviation.

Sources: Ministry of Transportation Regulation PM 37 of 2020, via BPK legal database (PDF, Indonesian) · DGCA: Staff Instruction 8900-12.01, small drone registration (PDF)

Drones may in principle fly only from sunrise to sunset; night flights need Director General approval after a safety assessment. Drones with cameras may not fly within 500 m of the outer edge of a prohibited or restricted area. Flights inside an airport's safety zone (KKOP), or within 3 NM of a helipad outside one, need Director General approval.

Sources: Ministry of Transportation Regulation PM 37 of 2020, via BPK legal database (PDF, Indonesian)

DGCA drone registration covers small drones over 250 g and under 55 lb (25 kg).

This procedure applies to small unmanned aircraft for registration in Indonesia which aircraft weighing between more than 250 gr and less than 55 pounds including everything that is onboard the aircraft.

Sources: DGCA: Staff Instruction 8900-12.01, small drone registration (PDF)

Checked against the official source on October 8, 2026.