PT PMA Indonesia — Complete Foreign Company Setup Guide
PT PMA is Indonesia's foreign direct investment company structure. Learn everything about registering a PT PMA — from eligibility and process to costs and Investor KITAS sponsorship.
PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing) is the legal company structure for foreign investors in Indonesia. It allows foreigners to legally operate a business, hold a protected role in a company, and apply for Investor KITAS residency. Setup takes 4–8 weeks and requires meeting minimum investment and capital requirements set by BKPM. Not all business sectors are open to foreign ownership.
Who Needs a PT PMA?
PT PMA Setup — Required Documents
- 1.Passport copies of all foreign shareholders and directors
- 2.Proposed company name (3 options recommended)
- 3.Business activity description (KBLI code — Indonesian business classification)
- 4.Proposed ownership structure (shareholder percentages)
- 5.Proof of proposed company address in Indonesia (virtual office or physical)
- 6.Capital structure plan (paid-up capital and total investment)
- 7.Indonesian director/commissioner details (if applicable)
- 8.Power of attorney (if handling registration remotely)
PT PMA Registration Process
Business Activity & Sector Check
Visa Nest reviews your proposed business activity against the BKPM Positive Investment List to confirm foreign ownership eligibility and ownership percentage limits.
Company Name Reservation
Reserve your company name through the Indonesian AHU (Ministry of Law) system. Name must be unique and comply with naming rules.
Deed of Establishment
A notary prepares the Akta Pendirian (Deed of Establishment) based on the agreed shareholder and director structure.
Ministry Approval
The deed is approved by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. The company receives its legal entity status.
OSS Registration (NIB)
Register the company on the OSS system (oss.go.id) to receive the NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha) — the business registration number.
BKPM Investment Registration
Register the investment plan with BKPM (Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board) and obtain the investment approval.
Tax Registration (NPWP)
Register the company for Indonesian tax purposes and obtain the NPWP (tax identification number).
Business Licence (if required)
Obtain any sector-specific business licences required for your industry.
Corporate Bank Account Opening
Open a corporate bank account for the PT PMA to receive the minimum capital injection.
Investor KITAS Application (optional)
Once the PT PMA is active and compliant, apply for Investor KITAS for qualifying shareholders/directors.
Timeline
- Company name reservation: 1–3 days
- Deed preparation & approval: 1–2 weeks
- OSS/NIB registration: 1–5 days
- BKPM registration: 1–2 weeks
- Tax registration: 1–5 days
- Total typical timeline: 4–8 weeks
Pricing
- Notary fees: Case-based
- Government registration fees: Official rates apply
- Minimum paid-up capital: Per BKPM regulations (varies by sector)
- Visa Nest service fee: Case-based — high-value service
PT PMA setup is a complex, high-value process. Contact Visa Nest for a personalised cost breakdown.
PT PMA vs Local PT (Indonesian Company)
| Feature | PT PMA | Local PT |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | Yes (up to 100% depending on sector) | No (requires Indonesian shareholder) |
| Investor KITAS eligibility | Yes | No |
| Minimum capital | Higher (per BKPM rules) | Lower |
| BKPM registration | Required | Not required |
| Legal clarity for foreigners | High — fully legal foreign ownership | Risk if nominee arrangement used |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing a business sector that is closed or restricted to foreign ownership — always verify with the BKPM Positive Investment List first.
Using nominee arrangements with Indonesian citizens instead of proper PT PMA — legally risky and potentially invalid.
Not maintaining compliance — annual tax filings, licence renewals, and BKPM reporting are mandatory.
Underestimating the minimum capital injection requirement — this must be deposited in the corporate bank account.
Trying to activate Investor KITAS before the PT PMA is fully registered and active.
Official Sources
- oss.go.id — Indonesia Online Single Submission (OSS) for business registration
- bkpm.go.id — Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board
- imigrasi.go.id — Immigration authority (for Investor KITAS)
Frequently Asked Questions
PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing) is the legal foreign direct investment company structure in Indonesia. It allows 100% or partial foreign ownership depending on the business sector and current Indonesian investment regulations. It is the standard structure for foreign entrepreneurs and investors doing business in Indonesia.
Foreigners who want to legally operate a business in Indonesia, apply for Investor KITAS residency, export products from Indonesia, or hold a formal and legally protected role in an Indonesian business typically need a PT PMA.
PT PMA setup costs include government registration fees, notary fees, and minimum capital injection requirements. The minimum paid-up capital and investment plan requirements are set by BKPM and vary by business sector. Visa Nest provides a case-specific cost estimate.
PT PMA registration in Indonesia typically takes 4–8 weeks from complete document submission. Timeline depends on business sector, company structure, and current government processing speeds.
Foreign ownership percentage depends on the business sector (as listed on the Positive Investment List/Negative Investment List regulated by BKPM). Some sectors allow 100% foreign ownership; others have restrictions or are closed to foreign investment.
Much of the PT PMA registration process can be handled remotely through a representative or power of attorney. Some stages, particularly bank account opening and certain notarial steps, may require physical presence or a trusted local representative.
Yes — a qualifying active PT PMA can serve as a sponsor for Investor KITAS applications. Not every PT PMA automatically qualifies; the company must meet investment, structure, and activity requirements. Case review is required.
PT PMA remains a legal entity even if shareholders or directors leave Indonesia. However, compliance requirements (tax filings, annual reports, license renewals) continue. Visa Nest advises on ongoing compliance obligations.
Start Your PT PMA Setup with Visa Nest
Tell us your business idea, nationality, and residency goals. Visa Nest will guide you from business sector check to full company registration and Investor KITAS.
Start PT PMA ConsultationVisa Nest is an independent visa and business setup consultancy. We are not a government immigration authority. Official immigration information and applications may be available through the Indonesian government eVisa and Directorate General of Immigration platforms. Visa Nest provides guidance, document preparation, application assistance, and case support. Final approval is always subject to the decision of the relevant Indonesian authorities.
Ready to apply?
Share your details — nationality, current location, purpose of stay, and planned travel date. Visa Nest will review your case and guide you step by step.
Visa Nest is an independent consultancy. We provide guidance and document support. Final approval is always subject to Indonesian authority decision.