The Bali PMA Block, Explained: Who Can Still Register in 2026 — and the Alternatives
What changed in May 2026
If you tried to register a foreign-owned company (PT PMA) in Bali recently, you may have hit a wall: since May 2026, the OSS system blocks new PT PMA registrations in low and low-medium-risk business categories across the island, and virtual-office domiciles with them. The scope and exemptions have been adjusted since the announcement — check the current position before acting. The Bali PT PMA block changed the market overnight, and most advice online predates it.
What still works: three lawful routes
- Higher-risk KBLI categories that fall outside the block — whether yours qualifies depends on the exact business classification, and choosing the code honestly matters (misclassification is its own risk).
- Buying an existing PT PMA — increasingly the main route in. The company you buy carries its history with it; see our due-diligence checklist.
- Locating the entity outside Bali while operating lawfully — fact-specific; take advice before committing.
What does not work
Nominee shortcuts. Using an Indonesian's name to hold what you can't register is void in the courts — and for land in Bali expressly prohibited by Perda 4/2026 (sanctions reach facilitators). The block has made nominee pitches more common, not less; they remain the worst answer available.
The honest take
The block is real, and anyone promising a quick Bali PT PMA in a blocked category is telling you something the OSS system will contradict. Twenty minutes with an advocate before you pay a setup fee is cheaper than unwinding a workaround.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners still open a PT PMA in Bali in 2026?
In blocked (low and low-medium-risk) categories, no — OSS rejects new Bali registrations. Higher-risk categories outside the block can still register, and buying an existing PT PMA remains possible. The block's exact scope changes; verify the current position before planning.
What is the Bali OSS moratorium?
An island-wide block, in force since May 2026, on new PT PMA registrations in lower-risk business categories and on virtual-office company addresses in Bali.
Can I just buy a company instead of registering one?
Yes — share acquisition of an existing PT PMA is lawful and now common. You inherit the company's compliance history, so due diligence before paying is essential.
Not sure where you stand? A short, confidential first conversation — bring the documents and I will tell you honestly what I see.
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General information only, not legal advice for your situation. No result is guaranteed. Speak to a lawyer about your specific facts.