Licensing Lawyers near Kertajaya

How business licensing works for a Kertajaya premises

If your business is in Kertajaya, Surabaya, its applications generally run through Indonesia’s national Online Single Submission (OSS) system, with local checks handled by the relevant Surabaya authorities. The permits depend on the business activity, its risk classification, and the premises.

Many businesses need a Business Identification Number (NIB), but an NIB may not be enough to begin operating. Depending on the activity, OSS may also require business standards, a further business licence, or verification by a government agency.

Premises can raise separate issues. A business may need confirmation that its location is allowed for the proposed activity, environmental approvals, or building approvals such as a Building Approval (PBG) and a Certificate of Proper Function (SLF).

A lawyer can help identify the applicable requirements and address legal or document problems. Straightforward applications may not require one, but a lawyer is useful when the activity, location, building use, or ownership structure creates uncertainty.

When a business-licensing lawyer may help

• Opening a shop, restaurant, or service business: A lawyer can check whether the activity has been classified correctly in OSS and whether additional standards or verification apply.
• Using a house or rented premises for business: The proposed use may raise zoning, building-use, lease, or neighbourhood restrictions. A lawyer can review the lease and identify questions to resolve before you invest in fit-out work.
• Renovating or changing the use of a building: You may need to check whether the existing PBG and SLF cover the planned business use, and whether new building approvals are required.
• Receiving an OSS notice or a rejected application: A lawyer can review the stated reason, identify missing evidence or inconsistent business data, and advise on a response or corrected application.
• Taking over an existing business: Licences and registrations may not automatically transfer with a sale or change of ownership. Legal review can help identify which records must be updated and whether the premises remain compliant.
• Starting a business with foreign investment: A lawyer can check whether the proposed activity and company structure meet current investment and licensing requirements before incorporation or funding.

Key business-licensing rules that apply in Kertajaya

• Law No. 6 of 2023 on the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation into Law: Enacted on 31 March 2023, it provides the statutory framework for business licensing reforms, including risk-based licensing.
• Government Regulation No. 28 of 2025 on the Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing: Promulgated on 5 June 2025, it sets out the current framework for risk-based business licensing and replaced Government Regulation No. 5 of 2021.
• Government Regulation No. 16 of 2021 on Implementing Regulations of the Law on Buildings: This regulation governs building approvals and certificates of proper function, which may matter when a Kertajaya property is built, renovated, or used for a different business purpose.

These national rules operate alongside Surabaya’s spatial-planning and local administrative requirements. The applicable requirements depend on the business activity and the specific premises.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a lawyer to apply for a business licence in Kertajaya?

Not always. You may be able to handle a straightforward OSS application yourself if the activity and premises are clear and your documents are consistent. Legal advice is useful where an application is rejected, the property use is uncertain, or several approvals may be required.

Is an NIB enough to start operating?

It depends on the activity’s risk classification and any additional requirements shown in OSS. Some businesses need to meet standards or obtain further verification before operating.

Who can apply for a business licence?

Applications may be made by eligible Indonesian individuals or business entities, with the appropriate information and supporting documents. Foreign investment proposals are subject to additional rules, so check eligibility for the specific activity and business structure before applying.

How do I check whether my Kertajaya premises can be used for my business?

Check the applicable spatial-planning requirements and whether the proposed activity is compatible with the location. The answer can depend on the address, business activity, and building status, so confirm it with the relevant OSS and Surabaya authorities before signing a lease or starting work.

Can I run a business from my home?

Some activities may be suitable for a home-based operation, but that does not remove licensing, spatial-planning, building, or other applicable requirements. Check the activity and property circumstances with the relevant authorities before operating.

What documents are commonly needed for an application?

Requirements vary, but applicants commonly need identity or company information, a business activity description, and details of the business location. Additional evidence may be requested for premises, environmental obligations, or activity-specific standards.

How long does business licensing take?

There is no single timeline for every application. The time depends on the risk level, completeness of the information, and whether a government agency must verify documents or inspect the premises.

What does a business-licensing lawyer cost?

Legal fees are usually separate from any official charges and vary with the work involved. Ask for a written scope and fee estimate, and confirm whether it covers application preparation, follow-up, and any response to a refusal.

Are official application fees charged?

Charges depend on the service and applicable rules; some licensing steps may not carry a fee. Check the current amount with the relevant official system or authority rather than relying on an informal estimate.

What can I do if OSS rejects or returns my application?

Read the notice carefully and identify whether it asks for corrections, supporting documents, or agency verification. Correcting the underlying information is often important; a lawyer can assess the notice and help prepare a response if the reason is unclear or disputed.

Does a business licence transfer when I buy an existing business?

Do not assume that it does. The required steps depend on the licence, business entity, and transaction, so check whether registrations or approvals must be amended, replaced, or obtained again.

Official resources

• Online Single Submission (OSS), administered by the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM: The national system for business registration and risk-based licensing applications.
• Surabaya City Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP Kota Surabaya): Handles local investment and licensing services and can direct applicants to relevant municipal processes.
• Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN): Responsible for national spatial-planning and land administration functions relevant to location requirements.

Next steps to find and hire a lawyer

1. Write down the proposed activity and address. Note what the business will do, who will operate it, and whether the premises are owned, rented, or being renovated. This should take about one day.
2. Collect your existing records. Gather identity or company documents, lease or ownership information, OSS notices, and available building approvals. Allow one to three days, depending on what you have.
3. Check the basic requirements in OSS. Review the listed business activity and risk-based requirements, and save any notices or application references. Do not treat an NIB alone as proof that every operating requirement is complete.
4. Shortlist lawyers with Indonesian business-licensing experience. Ask whether they have handled comparable activity and premises issues in Surabaya. Compare a few candidates over several days.
5. Request a written scope and fee estimate. Ask what the lawyer will review, whether they will handle OSS follow-up, and what work would cost extra. Clarify this before appointing them.
6. Agree on responsibilities and deadlines. Confirm who will prepare documents, respond to agency requests, and monitor the application. Timelines depend on the approvals required and the authorities’ review.