Foreign Investor FeasibilityKBLI 85161
§ 01
Foreign investment rules
Indonesia's BUPM (Investment Business Fields) regulation places this code into one of five tracks. The track determines whether a foreign investor (PMA) can operate in this activity at all, and under what conditions.
Status · No foreign ownership
Reserved for small Indonesian operators
KBLI 85161 is set up for warungs, smallholders, individual practitioners and similar small businesses — Indonesia's licensing rules only define micro and small business sizes for it. Foreign-owned companies have to register at the Large business size, so even though this code isn't on the official "closed" list, foreign ownership isn't possible in practice. Pick a related KBLI that covers larger operations, or set up a partnership with an Indonesian operator who already holds the licence.
This activity is reserved for small Indonesian operators — think warungs, food stalls, smallholders, individual practitioners. KBLI 85161 only has licensing rules defined for micro and small business sizes. Foreign-owned companies have to register at the Large business size, so this code isn't available to them even though it's not on the "closed" list. Pick a related KBLI that covers larger operations, or ask us about partnering with an Indonesian operator who already holds the licence.
§ 02
Education-specific guidance
Sector context that applies to KBLI 85161 beyond the generic OSS process. Verify with the relevant ministry before committing capital.
Lead regulator
Ministry of Education, Culture, Research & Technology (Kemendikbudristek)
- ·Formal education (K–12, higher education) is heavily regulated; foreign equity is capped at 49% for schools and varies for higher education.
- ·Non-formal education (training centers, language schools) is open to PMA up to 100%.
- ·All education providers need Kemendikbudristek operational permits beyond the OSS NIB.
§ 02
What this means for foreign investors
An honest read of the situation, plus the structures that work in practice. We've handled all of these — book a call to walk through your specific plan.
Pathways that work
Move to a different value-chain step
The cleanest path: operate a related but open KBLI. For example, foreign investors blocked from primary commodity production frequently succeed with the processing, distribution, branding, or export-trade codes upstream or downstream of the restricted activity.
Special Economic Zone (KEK) or Free Trade Zone (Batam)
Several restricted codes have higher or full PMA caps inside designated KEK zones (Sanur Health, Lido, Mandalika) or the Batam Free Trade Zone — manufacturing, logistics, and IT services especially. The IUK regime under BP Batam relaxes ownership rules selectively in exchange for export orientation. We assess whether your operation can benefit. See the for the requirements.
Indonesian-owned operating company + commercial agreement
A 100% Indonesian-owned operating entity can hold the restricted licence while you contract with it commercially. We structure these arrangements deliberately — without nominee shareholding, which is unenforceable and increasingly scrutinised.
PMA-viable codes in adjacent industries
These KBLIs solve a related business problem and are open to foreign ownership. None are a perfect substitute for the activity above — but they often unlock 80% of the commercial outcome. Talk to us about which fits your plan.
Restricted KBLIs need a tailored structure. Book a call and we'll map the right entity, partner, and licensing path for your specific business.
Talk to a corporate-services specialist
Speak to Emerhub
KBLI 85161 needs a tailored structure. Let's design it.
Restricted KBLIs need a structure designed around the restriction — partnership, alternative code, KEK, or commercial arrangement. We've handled all of these. One conversation tells you what works for your plan.