Types of Legal Entities for Foreign Investors in Indonesia

company registration indonesia pma

PT PMA

If you are a foreign investor that wants full control of your business, then establishing a PT PMA is the best option you can opt for. PT PMA is the only legal entity in Indonesia that allows 100% foreign ownership. However, each sector has regulations on their permitted business activities as well as the maximum amount of shares foreigners can own determined by the Positive Investment List.

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General Representative Office (KPPA)

A representative office is suitable for foreign investors and business owners that are at the early stage of expanding into Indonesia. RO's allow foreign businesses to test the Indonesian market before establishing any commercial operations. RO's also work best for non-sales activities, such as customer service support, approaching potential clients, as well as conducting marketing and brand awareness initiatives.

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General Representative Office (KPPA)
Representative Office for Business Trading (KP3A)

Representative Office for Business Trading (KP3A)

KP3A is a representative office that is established specifically for business trading. Both general and trading RO's are prohibited from conducting business activities that generate financial income. However, a trading RO may be established in any part of Indonesia, whereas a general RO is not able to do so.

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Representative Office for Construction Company (BUJKA)

Similar to KP3A's, a BUJKA is a representative office specifically established for foreign construction companies. A BUJKA may engage in large-scale construction projects, but only under a joint operation with a local company known as Local PT. Despite its limitations, a BUJKA is still a good start for foreign construction companies to set their footprint in Indonesia, as they are allowed to collaborate on building projects without obtaining a construction license (SIUJK).

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company registration in indonesia - representative office

The Process of Setting Up a Company in Indonesia

Internal Process

  • Consultation

    Talk to our experts about your expansion objectives in Indonesia.

  • Collecting Required Documents

    Provide us with all the documents required for company establishment.

  • Document Review

    We ensure your submitted documents are aligned with the latest regulations.

  • Drafting

    We will draft your application letter addressed to related government bodies.

  • Documents Submission

    We file all your documents to the related government bodies on your behalf.

External Process

  • Registration of Indonesian Tax ID (NPWP)

    An NPWP is required to secure other business licenses, open a bank account, and fulfilling tax obligations.

  • Obtain Indonesian Business Identification Number (NIB)

    A NIB is required for a company to conduct immediate business operations.

  • Deed of Incorporation (For PT PMA)

    A Notary should draft and legalized your Deed of Incorporation.

  • Approval of Legal Entity (For PT PMA)

    After submission of Deed of Incorporation by the notary, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights will give approval.

  • Securing Other Licenses (For PT PMA)

    Some sectors and business activities require more specific business licenses and permits. This process can from 7 to 20 days, depending on your business sector.

*The estimated time after all the required documents are deemed eligible for submission to the related government’s bodies.

Comparisons of Company Establishment Options
for Foreign Investors in Indonesia

What Our Clients Say

michal_jerabek_cekindo business partner
Sedbergh, Ltd.
My Linh Hoangova
ELC Group
(CFLD), Mr. Max Yang, President, Indonesian Region
China Fortune Land Development Co., Ltd.
DESMI Testimonial - Cekindo
DESMI
Konstantin-Simonov
PT AESK

We were searching for suitable partner for the begining of our operation on Indonesian market. After short exploration and recommendation from our business partners we decided for Cekindo.  Local knowledge, orientation at our business problematics, contacts and language.  In a friendly approach combined with professional service. Consultation before the project – avoids so much unnecessary act of “foreigners” worse overview of the Indonesian legislative.

Herewith we want to express our appreciation to PT. Cekindo Business International and their team for all the support on medical devices services so far. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cekindo for taking the time to listen to our needs. Whenever a need has arisen, we have always received their consistent, timely and quality support. We would not hesitate to recommend Cekindo team for any related activity or services.

After comparing several consultants, I found Cekindo is a international and professional organization with good understanding of local market. Cekindo helped our company to set up our first Indonesian entity, and also helps with day-to-day operation.  Cekindo showed high level of professionalism. Jump start the business in Indonesia, take care of routine process, therefore we can focus more on our core business.

Cekindo provided outstanding services in registering our representative office in Indonesia in a timely manner. Their financial services have been helping us a lot — our local employees feel secure working for our company. Cekindo became our reliable partner with quick response on our needs. Their flexibility and full support of our business in Indonesia are the main reasons to continue in our cooperation.

We chose Cekindo because we considered Cekindo as a professional company with a good attitude and a streamlined business model. Cekindo met all our expectations as it created the atmosphere of accountability and transparency. The most significant added values that we received from cooperation with Cekindo are the time we saved and mistakes we avoided.

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FAQs

As their names suggest, the main differences among three business kinds in Indonesia lie in the nature of the businesses and the purpose of their incorporation. Owners of a local company (PT) must be Indonesian citizens as even 1 percent of foreign ownership is not allowed. This type of companies is not limited to enter any business field, and restrictions on incorporation are not so tight. On the contrary, a foreign-owned company (PT PMA) is open for international investors, but the maximal percentage of foreign share differs in various business sectors. Contact Cekindo to get the most updated information on the Negative Investment List. International investors tend to open representative offices as a first step to understand the Indonesian market before setting up a limited liability company. This type is used for marketing and promotion activities and does not have the right to do the direct selling and receive income.

Yes, this particularly applies to import and export businesses. Instead of establishing a company, you can use an undername import service, also known as an importer of record.

It should take between 1 to 1.5 months.

This depends on the type of company you decide to establish.

  • In a local (PT) company, a foreigner cannot become a commissioner. It is possible to have a foreign director, but there has to be at least 1 local Director in PT.
  • In a foreign-owned (PT PMA) company, a foreigner can be a director or a commissioner.

Yes, it is possible for foreign citizens to expand to Indonesia and set up a foreign-owned company (PT PMA) in the country. Depending on the business line you want to pursue, there are regulations for foreigners to follow when establishing a company in Indonesia. One of the most important is the so-called Positive Investment List which has been—as well as other regulations in Indonesian—updated frequently.