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Indonesia is a country that is sometimes overlooked by the rest of the world despite its thriving economy.
Indonesia’s growth has been quick and vast, with experts predicting Indonesia to become the
fourth-largest economy in the world despite the contraction caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. There are
many enticing aspects of the Indonesian economy and demographics: the population of over 270,000,000
people with the majority in their productive age, large markets with positive consumer behavior, and
relatively stable politics.
For most of my adult life, I have felt very passionate about business development in Indonesia. In recent
years, foreign direct investment in Indonesia has seen positive growth, and this is not something that has
surprised me. Indonesia is full of talented workers with the skills and creativity to compete internationally.
This country is full of welcoming people ready to accept foreigners that visit for business or pleasure.
For entrepreneurs - Indonesian or foreign - I recommend starting your business in Indonesia as soon as
possible. Indonesia is a great market that will continue to grow in the future, so start your business now.
Find a suitable partner in Indonesia to grow and make connections to develop an ecosystem to create
sustainable growth. Focus on your core processes, and outsource your supporting functions to someone
capable of sustaining your business.
Use this document as a guide to registering your business. Of course, we at InCorp Indonesia are also
available to assist in this process if you need us - we are here to help and are only a phone call away.
Whether expanding your business or starting one from scratch, I wish you good luck and great success in
this beautiful country.
Vidvant Brahmantyo
CEO InCorp Indonesia
The information compiled in this document is based on the current regulations on 6 June 2022. Further research on regulation updates or new
processes is recommended in addition to the information provided in this document. InCorp Indonesia will not be liable for any losses and/or
damages in connection with the use of this document. The links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on this
document. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before disabled or removed links are updated.
Contents
Foreword 2
Visa 5
Social Cultural Visa 6
Retirement Visa 6
KITAS 7
Bank Account 8
Opening Foreign Currency Account 9
Additional Information 9
Company Setup 10
Foreign Limited Liability Company (PT PMA) 11
Local Company (PT PMDN) 12
Representative Office in Indonesia (KPPA) 13
Office Space 14
Retirement Visa
Foreign nationals older than 55 years can benefit from a retirement visa, which is initially granted for one
year but can be extended annually for up to 5 years. Foreigners who want to apply for a retirement visa
must meet following conditions:
● Minimum age of 55 years
● Have hired an Indonesian housemaid
● Have health insurance
As no work is allowed when holding a retirement visa in Indonesia, its holders must prove sufficient funds
to cover their living expenses during their proposed stay in Bali and Lombok (in total, USD 18,000 per year).
Moreover, only foreign nationals stated below can obtain this kind of visa.
6 Visa
Monaco Saudi arabia USA
Oman Spain
Philippines Suriname
Poland Sweden
Portugal Switzerland
KITAS
A KITAS is a limited stay permit. It is a legal document that proves you are allowed to work, invest capital
in the business sector, pursue education, and marry an Indonesian citizen.
Working Visa
When it comes to securing an Indonesian working visa, there are two documents to obtain:
Beware that working without an IMTA (working permit) is illegal and can result in legal consequences
such as fines and deportation.
The maximum validity of a working KITAS is one year and is extendable up to five times. It must be
sponsored by an Indonesian company which is required to pay DPKK (Expertise Skill Development Fund)
for around USD 1,200 per year.
8 Bank Account
There are three major players in the Indonesian banking market (Mandiri, BRI and BCA) followed by a huge
number of either local or smaller institutions. The requirements for opening a bank accounts may differ
from each other. In a nutshell, banks usually require the following information:
*Generally, a KITAS is required but some banks do make exceptions when you have a local reference.
Additional Information
Whether or not you have sufficient funds or a foreign currency account does not fit your needs, it is
possible to open an “ordinary” bank account as well. Three types of accounts that are commonly used in
Indonesia are checking, savings (both in rupiah and foreign currency, usually USD) and deposit accounts.
Companies in Indonesia that have a foreign shareholder are required to maintain a bank account. The
account which must be established with a bank licensed to handle foreign currencies (known as
Foreign-Exchange Bank of Bank Devisa).
10 Company Setup
In general, there are three options when setting up a company in Indonesia.
The following table provides a general overview of the process of setting up a PT PMA.
Note: Only medium and large companies can sponsor Work Permits for foreigners.
The process of setting up a local company takes two months, and the steps are as follows:
12 Company Setup
Representative Office in Indonesia (KPPA)
A representative office of foreign company, also known as a “KPPA” is a convenient way businesses from
abroad can gain market presence in Indonesia. If you want to start a KPPA in Bali and Lombok, it must be
located in Denpasar as they can be established exclusively in the capitals of Indonesian provinces. In
addition, no direct selling or receiving income is permitted, as a KPPA can only conduct marketing and
promotion activities. Therefore, KPPAs offer low incorporation fees with no minimum capital requirement,
and KPPA establishment does not require shareholders and directors to run the business - only a chief
executive is sufficient.
14 Office Space
Whether you are a freelancer searching for an ideal office or entrepreneur who needs an office address to
register a company, you will probably have hard times in Bali and Lombok.
A domicile letter and an address of a business office are required when registering a company in
Indonesia. Note that it is not allowed to use an office address located in residential area, and the office
area must physically exist. Before renting an office, carefully check its building documentation and make
sure that the property is in accordance with requirements.
Do Don’t
Use a virtual office for company registration Register an office address in a residential
area
The process of renting property in Bali and Lombok differ from the systems in most Western countries.
Most importantly, rent is often paid upfront. Regardless of whether you want to rent a house or land for
six months, one year or even 10 years - rent is paid upfront unless your property is in one of the major
tourist areas where the rent is significantly higher.
The Indonesian legislation (under some conditions) permits using a virtual office for the purpose of
company incorporation. Mainly smaller companies can benefit from this exemption and obtain a
registered address and a domicile letter without renting a physical office space.
A majority of freelancers and investors doing business in Bali and Lombok tend to rent a shared space
(coworking space) or separated booths in a shared room.
Landed Houses
● Luxury houses following the relevant laws and regulations
● One plot of land is permitted per person or family
● The purchased area can be a maximum of 2,000 sqm. One can be exempt from this limitation if:
○ The relevant property positively impacts local economic and social life
○ Foreigners have secured a permit from the Minister
○ Residency ownership for foreign representatives
Bali
● Government
Regulation
No. 18/2021
● Minister of
Agrarian Affairs
and Spatial
Planning
Regulation No.
7/2017
Hak Pakai Right to use ● Law No 5/1960 The right issued on ● Indonesian
within a time concerning top of State Land and citizens
period Basic Agrarian Land Management
Regulations Right: ● Foreign citizens
with KITAS/KITAP
● Government 30 years +
Regulation ● Legal entities
extendable 20 years
No. 18/2021 established in
+ renewable 30 years
Indonesia
= a total of 80 years
● Local Government
● Village
Government
● Foreign country
Representative
● International
Organization
Representative
● Local Government
● State-Owned
Enterprise/Local-
Owned Enterprise
● Land Bank
Agency
● Legal Entity
appointed by
Central
Government
Freelancers
Clearly stated from the beginning, freelancing in Bali and Lombok (as referred to freelancers working for
Indonesian customers) are is a big “NO.” Surely, Bali and Lombok are full of expats gambling with their
visa but you definitely do not want to be one of them. Legal consequences are severe and the local
authorities, whether government bodies or local police are known for their regular visa checks and
deportations of foreigners.
Challenges
Digital Nomads
On the contrary, digital nomads work
remotely from their homes and for
customers from countries in which they
are not currently based in. Thus, while
staying in Bali and Lombok, digital
nomads work for customers who are not
Indonesians, and as a result, do not
generate any income coming from the
Indonesian market. This fact enables
them to stay in Bali and Lombok legally
as they can use a tourist or social-cultural
visa based on their preferences.
● Obtain SIUP - MB
Restaurant license alcoholic beverage trading license
● Obtain NPPBKC
Registration number of custom goods business
Even though Bali and Lombok are known as the Islands of the Gods, due to the Muslim
majority in Indonesia, strict rules are imposed on serving alcohol. As imported alcohol is
subject to quotas, its price is relatively high. It is also worth noting that local authorities
frequently check bars and restaurants to see if a place has all necessary documents.
Furthermore, a restaurant where live or pre-recorded music will be played must obtain
licenses from record labels or competent foundation that facilities the use of such
material. Failing to do so could trigger expensive penalties.
Restaurant which has live or pre-recorded music must obtain licenses from record
labels or a competent foundation facilitating the use of the material.
Important!
● Start your business with a trustworthy local
partner
INCORP INDONESIA
Istana Kuta Galeria Blok BW 2 No. 3A
Jl. Patih Jelantik, Kuta, Badung
Bali 80361, Indonesia
bali@incorp.co.id