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Zantara AI
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Bali Zero handles visas, company setup, tax and property compliance in Indonesia. Ask us directly on WhatsApp.
Chat with Bali Zero on WhatsAppIf you are looking for the most straightforward path to owning a business in Indonesia as a foreigner, consulting is it. Under KBLI 2025 — the Indonesian Business Classification Standard updated by BPS Regulation No. 7 of 2025 — every consulting code from 70201 through 70209 is classified as TERBUKA (fully open) with 100% foreign ownership permitted. No Indonesian partner required. No joint venture mandated. No sector caps. Every single consulting sub-code carries this status, making it the cleanest, least restricted sector in the entire Positive Investment List.
This is not an accident. Indonesia actively wants foreign expertise flowing into its consulting sector. Management consulting, tourism consulting, public relations, transport consulting — the government has deliberately kept the door wide open. For hundreds of foreign-owned consulting firms already operating in Bali, this is a confirmation of stability. For those considering entry, it is an invitation.
The June 2026 KBLI 2025 transition window has closed. If you already operate a consulting PT PMA, you need to verify that your registered codes still map correctly. If you are setting up a new firm, you need to pick the right codes from the start. This guide covers everything.
Every consulting code in the 702xx group falls under Category M: Aktivitas Profesional, Ilmiah, dan Teknis (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities). Here is the full reference:
| KBLI Code | Name (Bahasa) | Name (English) | Risk Level | PMA % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70100 | Aktivitas Arsitektur Dan Keinsinyuran; Analisis Dan Uji Teknis | Architecture, Engineering, and Technical Testing | Rendah | 100% | Covers architecture firms, engineering consultancies, and technical analysis/testing services |
| 70201 | Aktivitas Konsultansi Pariwisata | Tourism Consulting | Rendah | 100% | Specific to tourism sector advisory — popular in Bali for hospitality, destination, and travel consulting |
| 70202 | Aktivitas Konsultansi Transportasi | Transport Consulting | Tinggi | 100% | Higher risk classification — requires additional licensing and compliance documentation |
| 70203 | Aktivitas Kehumasan | Public Relations / Communications | Rendah | 100% | PR agencies, communications consulting, media relations, reputation management |
| 70204 | Aktivitas Konsultansi Lainnya | Various Consulting | Rendah | 100% | Covers specialized consulting not captured by other sub-codes |
| 70209 |
Key observation: Five out of six consulting codes carry a Rendah (Low) risk classification. Only 70202 (Transport Consulting) is classified as Tinggi (High), which means additional licensing requirements and more scrutiny during registration. If your consulting work does not specifically involve transport sector advisory, avoid 70202.
Three structural advantages make consulting the default choice for foreign professionals entering Indonesia:
Compare consulting to other sectors. Restaurant businesses (F&B) are open to foreign investment but carry medium-to-high risk classifications that trigger additional licensing. Broadcasting and media content are capped at 20% foreign ownership. Retail trade has restrictions based on floor area and location. Education services require Indonesian partners in many configurations.
Consulting has none of these restrictions. Every code is TERBUKA. Every code allows 100% PMA. This is the cleanest regulatory path available.
Under Indonesia's risk-based licensing system (introduced by the Omnibus Law and refined under PP 5/2021), a Rendah (Low Risk) classification means your business only needs a Nomor Induk Berusaha (NIB) — the basic business identification number issued through OSS. You do not need additional sector-specific licenses, environmental impact assessments, or operational permits that medium and high-risk businesses require.
For a management consulting firm (70209, Rendah risk), your licensing path is:
That is it. No secondary permits. No inspections. No waiting for sector ministry approvals.
The catch-all nature of code 70209 (Other Management Consulting) is deliberately broad. It covers business strategy, organizational consulting, HR advisory, marketing consulting, financial advisory (non-regulated), operational efficiency, and general business advisory services. This flexibility means a single KBLI code can accommodate a wide range of consulting activities without needing to register additional codes.
The choice between consulting codes depends on your primary service offering and your target market. Here is a practical decision framework:
Advantage: Clear positioning in Bali's dominant industry. Tourism consulting is well-understood by immigration and licensing authorities in Bali.
Risk level: Rendah (Low) — simple NIB-only licensing.
Advantage: Specific recognition as a communications firm, which can matter for client acquisition and industry credibility.
Risk level: Rendah (Low) — simple NIB-only licensing.
Advantage: The broadest possible scope under a single code. This is the default choice for most foreign consulting firms, and it is the code that immigration and OSS officers encounter most frequently — reducing friction during registration.
Risk level: Rendah (Low) — simple NIB-only licensing.
Code 70202 is classified as Tinggi (High Risk). This means your business will require additional licensing beyond the basic NIB, including sector-specific permits and potentially more detailed investment plans. Unless your consulting practice is specifically and exclusively focused on transport sector advisory, there is no reason to register under this code. A general management consultant who occasionally advises a logistics company should use 70209, not 70202.
One of the most powerful features of Indonesia's business classification system is that a single PT PMA can register multiple KBLI codes. This allows consulting firms to expand their service offerings without creating separate legal entities.
Consulting + IT Services:
Consulting + Training/Education:
Consulting + PR/Communications:
Tourism Consulting + Hospitality:
Practical tip: If you register 70209 (Rendah) alongside 70202 (Tinggi), your entire company is subject to the Tinggi licensing requirements. Choose combinations carefully.
Beyond the 702xx consulting group, several adjacent KBLI codes cover professional services that consulting firms often consider:
| KBLI Code | Name (Bahasa) | Name (English) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69101 | Aktivitas Jasa Hukum | Legal Services | Subject to restrictions — Indonesian bar admission requirements; foreign law firms face limitations |
| 69201 | Aktivitas Akuntansi | Accounting | May require professional certification; check PPAK requirements |
| 69202 | Aktivitas Pembukuan dan Auditing | Bookkeeping and Auditing | Subject to Indonesian accounting standards and professional body oversight |
Unlike the 702xx consulting codes, legal services (69101) and accounting/auditing services (69201, 69202) carry sector-specific restrictions that go beyond the standard risk-based licensing system:
Legal services (69101): Foreign lawyers cannot practice Indonesian law. Foreign law firms can operate as consultants on international law matters but cannot represent clients in Indonesian courts or provide opinions on Indonesian law. This code requires careful structuring.
Accounting and auditing (69201, 69202): These activities are regulated by the Ministry of Finance and require practitioners to hold Indonesian professional certifications. A foreign-owned firm can operate in this space, but the signing accountant or auditor must hold valid Indonesian credentials.
The practical takeaway: If you provide business advisory services that touch on legal or accounting matters — but you are not a law firm or accounting firm — register under 70209 (Management Consulting), not under the 691xx or 692xx codes. This keeps you in the fully open, low-risk consulting lane while still allowing you to advise clients on business strategy that includes legal and financial considerations.
Every guide to PT PMA setup mentions the minimum investment threshold established by PP 5/2021:
These numbers are real and legally binding. They appear in your investment plan filed with BKPM through OSS. However, for consulting firms, the practical reality is more nuanced:
The IDR 10 billion figure represents your total projected investment over the life of the business, not an amount you must deposit on day one. It includes:
For a consulting firm, the bulk of this investment plan consists of operational expenses that you will incur naturally over time. You are not buying factories or heavy equipment. Your primary costs are people, office space, and technology — all of which count toward the investment commitment.
The IDR 2.5 billion per shareholder is the amount that must be reflected as paid-up capital in your company deed. This is real money that must be deposited into the company's Indonesian bank account. For a consulting firm with two shareholders, that means IDR 5 billion (~USD 312,000) in paid-up capital.
This is the genuine financial barrier to entry. It is not trivial, but it is also not prohibitive for established consultants entering the Indonesian market with real business plans and client pipelines.
Beyond the capital requirements, the administrative costs of establishing a consulting PT PMA through Bali Zero are:
These are service fees for the legal and administrative work of company formation — separate from your investment capital.
All businesses in Indonesia should verify that their registered KBLI codes align with KBLI 2025 now that the June 2026 transition window has closed. This deadline was established by BPS Regulation No. 7 of 2025 and is enforced through the OSS system.
If you already operate a consulting firm with KBLI codes from the previous classification (KBLI 2020), you must:
If you are establishing a new consulting PT PMA, register directly with KBLI 2025 codes. Do not use legacy codes — OSS is transitioning to the new classification, and registering with outdated codes will require immediate correction.
Bali hosts hundreds of foreign-owned consulting firms, making it one of the densest concentrations of international professional services talent in Southeast Asia. The reasons are structural:
The combination of 100% foreign ownership, low-risk licensing, and a deep existing market makes consulting the most logical entry point for foreign professionals who want to build a legal, compliant business presence in Indonesia.
Setting up a consulting PT PMA in Indonesia follows a clear sequence:
Bali Zero handles the entire process — from company formation through NIB issuance and KITAS processing. Learn more about PT PMA registration or read our complete consulting business guide.
For a deeper look at how KBLI 2025 affects Bali's broader business landscape, see our KBLI 2025 Bali Transformation guide.
This analysis is based on KBLI 2025 data (BPS Regulation No. 7 of 2025), the Positive Investment List (PP 5/2021 as amended by PP 28/2025), and Bali Zero's operational knowledge base. Regulations may change — always verify current requirements through OSS or a licensed business consultant before making investment decisions.
| Aktivitas Konsultasi Manajemen Lainnya |
| Other Management Consulting |
| Rendah |
| 100% |
| The catch-all code. Business strategy, HR consulting, marketing consulting, operational advisory |