Indonesia · Non resident accounts

Non resident accounts in Indonesia

By Morten Andersen, cofounder of Business Bank Index
Reviewed by Fredrik Filipsson · Last reviewed 5 March 2026
Snapshot

A non resident cannot open an Indonesian business account directly. A corporate account requires a registered Indonesian entity, normally a PT PMA for foreign owners, and the authorised signatory who is a foreigner is generally expected to hold a KITAS. Banks routinely refuse a business application where the foreign signer has no legal stay and work status. International accounts such as Airwallex and Payoneer are common for cross border flows in the meantime.

Direct non resident opening
Not available for a business account
What is needed first
A registered entity, usually a PT PMA, plus NPWP and NIB
Foreign signatory
Generally expected to hold a KITAS
Alternative
International accounts such as Airwallex or Payoneer for cross border flows
Fees and features as of 5 March 2026Last reviewed 5 March 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

As of 5 March 2026, a non resident cannot open an Indonesian business account directly. Indonesian banks open corporate accounts to registered local entities, so a foreign owner first incorporates a PT PMA, obtains the NPWP tax number and the NIB business identification number, and then applies. The foreign director who signs on the account is generally expected to hold a KITAS, and banks routinely refuse where the foreign signatory has no residence and work permit. Confirm the current policy with the bank.

Why a non resident cannot open directly

Indonesian banks open corporate accounts to registered local entities rather than to non residents. A foreign owner incorporates a PT PMA, the foreign owned limited liability company, obtains the NPWP and the NIB, and then applies for the account. The director who signs is generally expected to hold a KITAS, and in practice banks refuse a business application where the foreign signatory has no legal stay and work status. As of 5 March 2026.

The KITAS for the signing director

An Investor KITAS is the residence permit designed for foreign business owners and lets them legally establish and manage the company. In practice it is what banks look for from a foreign authorised signer. Policies differ between banks, so verify the current requirement before you apply. As of 5 March 2026.

If you are not resident yet

Before the entity and the permit are in place, businesses often use international accounts from Airwallex or Payoneer to collect and pay across borders, then open the local corporate account once the PT PMA and the KITAS are ready. These accounts complement rather than replace a local rupiah account. As of 5 March 2026.

Compare business accounts available in Indonesia

These providers serve business customers in Indonesia. Fees and eligibility shown as of 5 March 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

Compare business accounts →

Questions about non resident accounts in Indonesia

Can a non resident open a business bank account in Indonesia?
Not directly. A corporate account requires a registered Indonesian entity, normally a PT PMA, and the foreign signing director is generally expected to hold a KITAS. As of 5 March 2026, confirm with the bank.
Do I need a KITAS to be the account signatory?
In practice yes. Banks routinely refuse a business application where the foreign authorised signer has no legal stay and work status, and an Investor KITAS is the usual permit. Verify the current policy with the bank.
Can I bank before my company is set up?
Many businesses use international accounts such as Airwallex or Payoneer for cross border collection and payouts while the PT PMA and KITAS are arranged, then open a local account afterwards. As of 5 March 2026.
Can a foreign company open an account without a local entity?
Generally no. Foreign investors are expected to incorporate a PT PMA before a local corporate account is opened. As of 5 March 2026, confirm the requirements with the bank.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 5 March 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

Related guides