Running a company in Indonesia can be incredibly rewarding, but the operational reality—especially for foreign-owned companies (PT PMA)—often surprises founders. Many investors assume they can manage everything remotely, believing directors don’t need to be physically present in Indonesia. On paper, that’s true: Indonesia’s Company Law (UU No. 40/2007) does not explicitly require directors to be residents.
However, once you enter the worlds of banking, tax compliance, licensing, and daily corporate administration, the picture changes drastically.
Bank account openings stall for weeks. Tax registrations get delayed. CoreTax activation becomes a maze. Licensing authorities ask for someone who can sign documents in person. Eventually, almost every PT PMA comes to the same conclusion:
you need at least one competent, Indonesian-based Resident Director to operate smoothly.
This article explains why having a Resident Director is not just preferred—but practically necessary—for your company’s banking, tax, and compliance needs in Indonesia. The insights are backed with reliable information from Indonesian corporate regulations, banking requirements, CoreTax guidance, and market practice.
Understanding the Legal Role of Directors in Indonesia
Directors Under Indonesian Company Law (UU No. 40/2007)
Indonesia’s Company Law defines the Board of Directors (Direksi) as the organ responsible for managing the company and representing it in and outside of court. The law also assigns directors fiduciary responsibilities, accountability, and direct signing authority on behalf of the company.
While the law does not state that a director must be a resident, it also does not adjust banking, tax, or licensing procedures to accommodate directors living abroad. The system functions with an assumption that someone will be available in Indonesia to sign, verify, and execute corporate responsibilities.
This gap between what is legally allowed and what is required for operations is the foundation for why the Resident Director role is essential.
Why Banks Expect a Resident Director
Banks Often Require Director Presence and Resident Status
Indonesian banks have some of the strictest corporate KYC requirements in Southeast Asia. Based on multiple bank-opening datasets and corporate service guidance, banks typically require:
- Director’s passport and personal details
- KITAS if the director is foreign
- Physical presence for signature verification
- NPWP and local compliance documents
- Corporate deeds and appointment letters
Most importantly, banks expect at least one local signatory who can be contacted and appear if needed.
Bank Account Opening Gets Delayed Without a Resident Director
If all directors are based abroad, the following problems often occur:
- The bank delays account opening until the foreign director travels to Indonesia
- Remote or digital signatures are rejected
- Additional documentation is needed
- The application is suspended or denied
With a Resident Director available, bank accounts can often be opened within 1–2 business days.
Daily Banking Operations Become Possible Only with a Local Signatory
Even after the account is active, several banking operations require someone on the ground:
- Resetting tokens or internet banking access
- Updating signatory mandates
- Handling flagged or frozen transactions
- Changing account limits
- Addressing verification requests
Banks prefer to communicate with someone who is physically reachable, which makes a Resident Director crucial for smooth, uninterrupted banking operations.
Why Tax Compliance Requires a Resident Director
CoreTax and Digital Tax Systems Need Local Activation
Indonesia’s tax administration has transformed with the rollout of CoreTax (CTAS). Corporate NPWP activation, digital filing, and tax account setup often require:
- A verified NPWP
- A responsible local individual
- Secure system activation
- Codes or validations that must be received in Indonesia
These steps cannot always be completed remotely, especially for foreign directors. This makes CoreTax activation a major bottleneck for companies without a Resident Director.
Tax Authorities Expect a Locally Reachable Responsible Person
Even before CoreTax, Indonesian tax offices expected:
- Someone to receive tax letters
- Someone to answer audits or summon notices
- Someone to handle monthly filings
- Someone who could legally sign tax documents
Without a Resident Director, your accountant may not be able to complete filings on time because only a director can perform certain approvals.
Corporate Tax Residence and ‘Place of Management’
Corporate tax residence in Indonesia follows the international principle of place of management. Indonesia considers a company resident if:
- It is established in Indonesia, or
- Its place of management is in Indonesia.
Tax summaries show that this concept is central in determining tax obligations. Without a Resident Director, the “place of management” can become ambiguous, which is not ideal for cross-border structuring.
Having a local director helps confirm that core management occurs in Indonesia, keeping the company’s tax residency clear and stable.
Licensing, Compliance, and Governance: More Reasons to Have a Resident Director
Business Licensing (OSS, NIB, Permits) Requires a Local Signatory
Indonesia’s licensing and registration systems—especially OSS RBA—expect a director or representative to be physically present for certain approvals. This includes:
- Sector licenses
- Post-registration compliance
- Certifications and inspections
Founders abroad often face delays because licensing officers request signatures or verification from someone who is physically available.
The Resident Director Represents the Company Externally
Under the Company Law, a director represents the company in:
- Contracts
- Disputes
- Administrative filings
- Regulatory interactions
If all directors are overseas, the company must rely on powers of attorney for nearly every action—introducing risks, complexity, and delays. A Resident Director provides a reliable, continuous presence.
Avoiding Nominee Director Risks
Corporate advisory firms warn that poorly structured nominee arrangements create risks such as:
- Lack of control
- Conflicts of interest
- Legal exposure for both parties
- Director liability issues
Therefore, if appointing a Resident Director, it’s safest to use a professional service provider with a formal agreement defining:
- Responsibilities
- Limitations
- Reporting
- Indemnities
- Exit mechanisms
This ensures compliance without compromising the shareholder’s control.
Why Most PT PMA Eventually Need a Resident Director
From the outside, Indonesia’s requirements can be misunderstood as overly bureaucratic. But once companies begin operating, they quickly realize the day-to-day challenges:
- Bank account frozen due to missing verification
- Inability to activate NPWP
- CoreTax access blocked
- Delayed tax filings
- Licensing approvals taking weeks longer
- In-person verifications impossible
- Audit queries left unanswered
A Resident Director resolves all these friction points and keeps the business operational without interruption.
FAQ
1. Is a Resident Director legally required?
Not explicitly. But banking, tax, and licensing processes make one practically essential—especially for PT PMA.
2. Can a foreign director without KITAS open a bank account?
Most banks require KITAS, or at minimum strong local presence, and usually request in-person verification.
3. Can accountants handle tax without a Resident Director?
They can assist, but tax authorities require a registered responsible person, typically a director. CoreTax makes this even more necessary.
4. Does having a Resident Director affect tax residency?
Potentially. Resident Directors help align the company’s “place of management” with Indonesia’s tax residency rules.
5. What’s the safest way to get a Resident Director?
Use a vetted, contract-backed professional service to avoid nominee risks and ensure compliance.
Conclusion
A Resident Director is not merely a convenience—it is an operational necessity for foreign-owned companies in Indonesia. Banks expect local signatories. Tax authorities require a responsible individual based in the country. Licensing systems assume someone can attend to administrative steps. CoreTax and government digitalization amplify this requirement even further.
With a competent Resident Director, your business becomes significantly more stable: faster bank account opening, smoother tax filings, fewer licensing delays, and immediate responsiveness to compliance issues.
In short:
If you’re running or planning to set up a PT PMA, appointing a Resident Director is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
If your Indonesian company needs a reliable, compliant Resident Director—without risking control or legal exposure—CPT Corporate offers professional, contract-backed Resident Director Services trusted by foreign investors.
Reach out to us today and ensure your company operates smoothly, safely, and fully compliant in Indonesia.
