From Travel Agencies to Real Estate & Over 2,000 Other Opportunities
Thinking of opening a business in Bali? You’re not alone. In 2025, Indonesia continues to welcome foreign investment across more than 2,000 business sectors—and Bali remains a top destination for entrepreneurs.
Whether you dream of opening a villa rental company, a yoga school, a beach café, or even a renewable energy plant, there’s likely a legal category that covers your vision.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the major sectors where foreigners can legally open a company in Bali/Indonesia, along with ideas and examples for each.
💡 Need help starting? Visit our PT PMA Setup page or chat with our team directly.
Can Foreigners Really Open a Business in Bali?
Yes! Through a PT PMA (Penanaman Modal Asing) — a Foreign Investment Company — you can legally set up and own a company in Indonesia, often with 100% ownership depending on the sector.
The Indonesian government has opened up nearly 2,000 business sectors for foreign participation, with the latest list updated as of September 2020.
Main Business Categories for Foreigners in Indonesia
Let’s break down the most popular and legally open sectors in Bali for 2025:
🌱 Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
Great for sustainability-focused investors. You can set up:
- Organic farming (rice, coffee, spices)
- Agro-tourism & educational farms
- Fish/shrimp/crab farms
- Forestry services or eco-reforestation
⛏️ Mining & Excavation
Though more prominent in Eastern Indonesia, some areas in North Bali are involved. You can invest in:
- Mineral exploration
- Coal, gas, or oil extraction
- Mining equipment leasing or support services
🏭 Processing & Manufacturing Industries
From small artisan workshops to full-scale factories:
- Food & beverage production (chocolate, coffee, spirits)
- Garment & textile factories
- Skincare & wellness products
- Furniture or woodcraft workshops
- Electronics or machinery production
⚡ Electricity, Gas, and Cooling Providers
This includes:
- Solar energy systems
- Ice production
- Water filtration & distribution
- Sustainable power plants (mini hydro, biomass)
Note: These projects require extensive licensing but are ideal for long-term infrastructure investors.
💧 Waste & Water Management
Much needed in Bali! Opportunities include:
- Waste collection & recycling
- Water treatment systems
- Septic/sewerage treatment
- Eco-cleanup and environmental restoration services
🏗️ Construction
Construction in Bali is booming. You can establish:
- General construction firms
- Civil infrastructure (roads, airports, ports)
- Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC companies
- Smart home or solar installation services
🛒 Wholesale, Retail & Vehicle Services
This includes:
- Wholesale or retail trade (furniture, fashion, imports)
- Boutique shops or showrooms
- Car/motorcycle sales, rentals & repair
- Import/export businesses (with proper licensing)
🚚 Transportation & Warehousing
A fast-growing sector in Bali:
- Private car or driver services
- Boat or yacht charter companies
- Warehousing & cold storage
- Cargo handling & logistics
🏨 Accommodation & Food Services
One of the most popular options for foreigners:
- Guesthouses, villas, boutique hotels
- Restaurants, beach bars, cafés
- Catering or private chef services
- Event venue rentals
⚠️ Note: For some activities, additional local permits like Laik Higienis or NPWPD are required.
💻 Information & Communication
Tech and media-friendly! You can open:
- Web design, app development companies
- Digital marketing or SEO agencies
- Media production or film studios
- Online platforms or SaaS companies
🏦 Finance & Insurance
While regulated, you can legally establish:
- Fintech platforms (under specific licenses)
- Insurance agencies
- Pension fund consultancies
🏡 Real Estate
Still a massive market in Bali. You can:
- Open a property agency
- Operate villa rental management
- Offer real estate consulting or appraisals
- Develop properties (through a PT PMA)
🧠 Professional & Technical Services
Great for digital nomads and consultants:
- Legal, tax, and accounting firms
- Architecture or engineering firms
- Market research & branding studios
- Science R&D or environmental analysis
🎒 Education
This includes:
- Language schools
- Yoga & wellness teacher training
- Vocational training & workshops
- Online education platforms
💡 You can also offer short-term training under C16 visas.
👩⚕️ Health & Social Services
If you’re a health practitioner or service provider:
- Private clinics (under special licensing)
- Wellness and alternative medicine centers
- Home care or rehabilitation services
- Community outreach programs
🎭 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Perfect for Bali’s creative crowd:
- Live music venues
- Yoga studios or gyms
- Surf schools
- Cultural tourism activities
🌍 Travel Agencies & Support Services
Another highly active sector:
- Tour companies (land, air, sea)
- Visa services and legal consulting
- Event planning or destination management
- MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)
🏢 International & Diplomatic Activities
Only applicable for embassies, consulates, and international organizations such as:
- UN agencies
- WHO, OPEC, ASEAN delegations
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs in Bali are vast — from hospitality to agriculture, tech startups to wellness resorts. Whatever your passion, Bali likely has a legal path for you to turn your vision into reality.
Want to open a business in Bali?
Let our team at Visvasa Global Services help you set up your PMA (Foreign-Owned Company), secure the right licenses, and get your business running the right way.
👉 Contact us now for a free consultation or visit our PMA Setup Page.
💬 Know a business idea we didn’t mention? Leave a comment below or send us a message — we’ll be happy to explore it with you!
