PT PMA — The Foundation of Foreign Business in Indonesia

PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing) is the foreign direct investment company structure in Indonesia. It is the legal vehicle foreigners use to operate businesses, hold property-related entities, export goods, and sponsor Investor KITAS residency.

Who Needs a PT PMA?

•Foreigners operating a business in Indonesia
•Foreign investors seeking Investor KITAS long-term residency
•Companies exporting or importing through Indonesia
•E-commerce or tech businesses with Indonesian operations
•Anyone who wants legal, fully-owned foreign business structure

PT PMA vs Nominee Arrangement

Many advisors suggest using nominee arrangements (Indonesian citizens holding shares on your behalf). This carries significant legal and financial risk. PT PMA is the legally compliant, fully protected route for foreign business owners.

Steps to Register a PT PMA

Sector verification — Check your business activity against BKPM's Positive Investment List to confirm foreign ownership eligibility
Company name reservation — Reserve through the AHU system (Ministry of Law)
Deed of Establishment — Notary prepares the Akta Pendirian
Ministry approval — Company receives legal entity status
OSS registration (NIB) — Business registration number through oss.go.id
BKPM investment registration — Register investment plan with BKPM
Tax registration (NPWP) — Obtain company tax ID
Sector licences — Any required industry-specific licences
Corporate bank account — Open account for minimum capital injection
Investor KITAS — Apply once PT PMA is active and compliant

Minimum Capital Requirements

Current BKPM requirements for PT PMA include:

•Paid-up capital: Varies by sector and business activity
•Investment plan (rencana investasi): Minimum IDR 10 billion in most sectors (subject to change)
•Always verify current requirements with BKPM or Visa Nest — these figures change

Which Sectors Are Open to Foreign Ownership?

Not all business sectors allow 100% foreign ownership. Some are restricted (partial foreign ownership only) and some are closed to foreign investment. Visa Nest checks your proposed business activity against the current regulations before you proceed.

PT PMA Setup Timeline

Stage	Estimated Time
Name reservation	1–3 days
Deed and Ministry approval	1–2 weeks
OSS/NIB	1–5 days
BKPM registration	1–2 weeks
Tax registration	1–5 days
Bank account	1–2 weeks
Total	4–8 weeks

Ongoing PT PMA Compliance

Once registered, your PT PMA must maintain:

•Annual tax filings
•BKPM investment activity reports
•Renewal of licences
•Director and shareholder records

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can one person own 100% of a PT PMA?

A: In some sectors, yes. In others, a minimum Indonesian shareholder is required. Sector check is essential.

Q: Do I need to be in Indonesia to set up a PT PMA?

A: Most stages can be handled remotely via power of attorney. Some steps may require physical presence.

Q: Can a PT PMA own land in Indonesia?

A: PT PMA can hold usage rights (HGB) over land in most cases. Direct land ownership rules are complex — legal advice is recommended.

Q: What happens if I close my PT PMA?

A: Investor KITAS sponsored by the PT PMA would be affected. Formal liquidation process required.

Start Your PT PMA with Visa Nest

Visa Nest handles the complete PT PMA registration process. WhatsApp us with your business idea and nationality.

PT PMA Indonesia — Complete Setup Guide for Foreign Investors 2026