The Bali PMA Block, Explained: Who Can Still Register in 2026 — and the Alternatives
Since May 2026, OSS has refused new PT PMA applications in Bali for listed low and medium-low-risk business codes (KBLI); the Governor announced 18 codes in July 2026. Existing PT PMAs keep their licences, higher-risk codes outside the list remain open, and buying an existing PT PMA remains lawful. No regulation text has been published, so verify the current list before planning.
What to send us if this affects you ↓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 has refused new PT PMA applications in Bali for listed low and medium-low-risk business codes (KBLI), and the Governor has singled out virtual-office addresses for closer supervision. Officials have cited different numbers of blocked codes (18 in the July 2026 announcement, 64 in an earlier statement) — 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?
A closure of OSS access, live since May 2026 and announced by the Governor in July 2026, that stops new PT PMA applications in Bali for listed low and medium-low-risk business codes (KBLI). No regulation text has been published, so the exact list should be checked before planning. Virtual-office addresses have been singled out for closer supervision.
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.
Send the business activity you plan (and the KBLI code if you have one), whether you want a new company or to buy an existing one, and your target start date. We check for conflicts and book a consultation to map the options.
Start on WhatsApp[email protected]First contact is intake and a conflict check. Legal advice is given in a paid 90-minute consultation (Rp2.5 million, credited against your engagement if you retain the firm within 30 days). Please wait for instructions before sending documents.
You will be speaking with Jeremy Jordan, S.H. — DPN Indonesia, NIA 25.25.32730.
General information only, not legal advice for your situation. No result is guaranteed. Speak to a lawyer about your specific facts.