PT PMA company registration
Setting up a foreign-owned Indonesian company: activity codes, incorporation, licences and the accounting that follows.
- Typical timeline
- 21–90 days
- Price range
- On request
A PT PMA is an Indonesian legal entity with foreign ownership. It is the only lawful vehicle for a foreigner who wants to trade commercially in Bali: renting out villas, running a café, providing services, selling goods.
Incorporating solves two problems at once. The first is obvious — a legal business. The second is less obvious but often matters more: the company is the basis for a two-year investor KITAS. For most of our clients this is one project rather than two.
The decisive choice is made before any filing, and it is the KBLI activity codes. They determine what the company may do, what minimum paid-up capital applies, and whether the activity is open to foreigners at all. Some sectors are closed, others capped by ownership share. Changing codes after incorporation is slow and expensive, so we do this step first and carefully.
The second thing we flag before you start: a company is a standing obligation. Monthly and annual reporting is filed whether or not you traded. Gaps produce penalties and surface later at visa renewal. Accounting belongs in the budget from the outset, not "once the money starts coming in".
Read this first — when we would tell you not to
- You work remotely for foreign clients and do not trade in Indonesia — you do not need a company, the E33G KITAS is enough
- You want a "company for the visa" without a business — the reporting and tax obligations do not go away and cost more than people expect
- Your activity sits on a list closed to foreigners — capital does not solve that
- You cannot accommodate 3–6 weeks for incorporation — planning around a fixed date does not work here
What is included
- Selection and verification of KBLI codes against what you will actually do
- Checking foreign ownership restrictions
- Incorporation deed and notarial formalities
- Ministry registration and the NIB business number
- Sector licences where the activity requires them
- Registered company address
- Tax registration and NPWP
- Ongoing accounting under a separate engagement
How it runs
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Activity and code review 2–5 days
We establish what you will do in practice and map the KBLI codes. This is usually where it emerges that the plan needs a different structure, a partner, or more capital.
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Deed and notary 5–10 days
We prepare the articles, the shareholder structure and the share split, then complete notarial formalities.
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Registration and NIB 10–20 days
Ministry registration, the NIB business identification number and the permits that go with it.
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Tax registration and launch 5–10 days
NPWP, corporate bank account, reporting set up. After this the investor KITAS application can be filed.
Common questions
Do I need an Indonesian partner?
For most activities, no — a PT PMA can be 100% foreign-owned. Restrictions depend on the specific KBLI code and are checked before incorporation.
How much capital is required?
Minimum paid-up capital depends on the activity and changes over time. We give you the current figure for your codes during the review stage.
Do I need to be present in person?
Some steps require you in person or a power of attorney. The exact set depends on the ownership structure and is worked out case by case.
What about reporting afterwards?
Monthly and annual filings are mandatory regardless of turnover. We handle them under a separate engagement or hand off to your accountant.
Can I apply for the KITAS straight away?
No — the company must exist and capital must be paid up first. People usually stay on a B211A visit visa while incorporation runs.