Apply for KGCO Certification
This page provides the complete application guide for the Komodo Guide Certified Operator (KGCO) program: the steps to follow, the documents required for each tier, the assessment fee schedule, the contact information for submissions, and the expected timeline from submission to decision.
Application Steps
Read the full criteria for your target tier
The Certification Criteria page publishes the complete list of criteria and document requirements for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Confirm before applying that you hold — or can obtain — every required document. The assessment fee is non-refundable if an application is withdrawn after submission or if an incomplete submission is abandoned after document requests.
Compile your document package
Assemble all documents listed in the checklist below for your chosen tier. Documents should be submitted as clearly scanned PDF files. Each document file should be named with the criterion reference number it satisfies (for example, "Criterion-1.1-NIB.pdf"). If a single document satisfies more than one criterion, submit it once and note in your cover letter which criteria it covers.
Write your application cover letter
Include a brief cover letter (one page maximum) stating: your company name; your registered NIB; the tier you are applying for; the vessels to be covered by the assessment (name, GT, and registration number for each); a declaration that all submitted documents are genuine; and a contact name, email address, and phone number for the assessment correspondence.
Email your complete submission
Send your cover letter and all documents to [email protected] with the subject line: "KGCO Application — [Your Company Name] — Tier [1 / 2 / 3]". You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 3 business days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within 5 business days, contact us again in case of email delivery failure.
Confirm completeness and pay the assessment fee
After the panel confirms that your submission is complete, you will receive a payment request for the applicable assessment fee. Payment must be received before the formal assessment begins. Bank transfer details and invoice will be provided in the payment request email.
Respond to any document requests
During the assessment period, the panel may request clarification or supplementary documents. You have 20 business days to respond. Failure to respond within this period may result in the application being treated as incomplete.
Receive the certification decision
You will receive a written certification decision within 4–6 weeks of the panel confirming a complete submission. If certification is granted, your operator profile will be published on the KGCO directory with your tier, assessment date, and next renewal date. If certification is not granted, the written decision will specify which criteria were unmet and what would be required for a successful re-application.
Document Checklist by Tier
The following checklist summarises the documents required for each tier. Full descriptions of each criterion and its verification source are published on the Criteria page. Tiers are cumulative: a Tier 2 application requires all Tier 1 documents plus Tier 2 documents; a Tier 3 application requires all Tier 1, 2, and 3 documents.
Tier 1 — License Verification Documents
- 1.1 Nomor Induk Berusaha (NIB) certificate — current, issued via OSS.go.id
- 1.2 Tanda Daftar Usaha Pariwisata (TDUP) — covering tour/travel category
- 1.3 SIMAKSI (Surat Izin Masuk Kawasan Konservasi) — most recent copy, or 24-month permit history
- 1.4 Vessel class certificate (per vessel) — current, under Permenhub PM 7/2019 / BKI
- 1.5 Surat Ukur — tonnage measurement certificate (per vessel)
- 1.6 Surat Persetujuan Berlayar — seaworthiness/port-clearance documentation (per vessel, recent)
Tier 2 — Safety Compliance Documents (in addition to all Tier 1 documents)
- 2.2 SLO (Sertifikat Keselamatan) vessel safety certificate — active, per vessel, from Ditjen Hubla
- 2.3 AIS transponder MMSI registration document — per vessel ≥15 GT; or documented AIS exemption for vessels under 15 GT
- 2.4 STCW BST certificates for master and chief officer — current (within 5-year renewal), per vessel; certified by Ditjen Hubla-accredited institution
- 2.5 P&I passenger liability insurance policy schedule — showing vessel names, cover dates, insurer licensed by OJK
- 2.6 ASITA membership certificate — if held (positive indicator; not a disqualifier if absent)
Tier 3 — Environmental Excellence Documents (in addition to all Tier 1 and Tier 2 documents)
- 3.2 Written anchoring policy prohibiting anchor-on-coral; mooring-buoy use records; OR TNC/Manta Trust reef-friendly anchoring programme documentation
- 3.3 Vessel Garbage Management Plan (GMP) and Garbage Record Book — per vessel; documenting MARPOL Annex V compliance
- 3.4 Crew manifest per vessel showing Indonesian nationality for ≥70% of total crew; buku pelaut (crew identity/passport) copies for verification sample
- 3.5 Community benefit-sharing evidence — at least one of: supplier agreements with Labuan Bajo–based businesses; employment records showing ≥30% local Manggarai/Bajo crew or guides; financial contribution records to a local conservation or community fund
- 3.6 Complaint-handling policy document (written, stating max 14-day response time); evidence of customer communication (e.g., website page, booking terms); designated complaint contact channel
Fee Schedule
Assessment fees are charged annually. They cover the cost of the document audit, public registry cross-checks, panel coordination, and the publication of the certification outcome. Fees are payable after confirmation of a complete submission and before the formal assessment begins. All fees are quoted in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) and are exclusive of applicable Indonesian taxes.
| Tier | Name | Annual assessment fee | Fee covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | License Verified | IDR 1.500.000 | Document review of 6 Tier 1 criteria; OSS/BTNK/BKI public registry checks; certification publication |
| Tier 2 | Safety Compliant | IDR 3.500.000 | All Tier 1 scope plus: SLO/AIS/STCW document review; OJK insurance verification; ASITA check; independent panel member time |
| Tier 3 | Environmental Excellence | IDR 5.000.000 | All Tier 1 and Tier 2 scope plus: reef-anchoring/MARPOL/crew/community-benefit evidence review; Garbage Record Book inspection; independent panel member time |
| Re-assessment following unsuccessful application | 50% of tier fee | Re-assessment within 12 months of original application; only criteria identified as unmet are re-assessed | |
Fee revision policy: Fees are reviewed annually each January. Current fees apply from 2026-01-01. Any proposed fee increase will be notified to all certified operators with a minimum of 90 days' notice before taking effect.
Submission Contact
All applications, enquiries, and complaints should be directed to:
c/o PT. Komodo Explorer Indonesia
Jl. Mutiara, Kec. Komodo, Labuan Bajo, NTT 86763
Indonesia
Email subject line format: "KGCO Application — [Your Company Name] — Tier [1 / 2 / 3]"
For complaints: "KGCO Complaint — [Operator Name]"
Assessment Timeline
The following timeline applies to initial applications and biennial renewal assessments.
| Stage | Action | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|
| Application received | Acknowledgement email sent to applicant | Within 3 business days |
| Completeness check | Panel confirms all documents present; requests any missing items | Within 10 business days of receipt |
| Payment request issued | Invoice for assessment fee sent on confirmation of completeness | Same day as completeness confirmation |
| Formal assessment begins | Panel commences document review after fee payment confirmed | Within 5 business days of payment confirmation |
| Document review period | Panel reviews all criteria; cross-references public registries; may request clarification | 2–4 weeks |
| Certification decision issued | Written decision sent to applicant; if granted, directory listing published | 4–6 weeks from complete submission |
Program Overview
Back to KGCO hub →
Criteria
Full criteria by tier →
Disclosures
Affiliation & audit panels →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start the KGCO application?
Begin by reading the full criteria for your target tier at /certification/criteria/. Then compile all required documents as PDFs named by criterion reference number (e.g., "Criterion-1.1-NIB.pdf"). Write a one-page cover letter stating your company name, NIB, target tier, vessels to be assessed, and a contact person. Email the complete package to [email protected] with subject "KGCO Application — [Your Company Name] — Tier [1/2/3]".
What is the assessment timeline from submission to decision?
You will receive an acknowledgement within 3 business days. The panel performs a completeness check within 10 business days and issues a payment invoice on the same day as completeness confirmation. Formal assessment begins within 5 business days of payment and takes 2–4 weeks of document review. The certification decision is issued within 4–6 weeks of the panel confirming a complete submission. If the panel requests clarification, operators have 20 business days to respond.
Are assessment fees refundable if my application is denied?
Assessment fees are non-refundable if an application is withdrawn after submission or if an incomplete submission is abandoned after document requests. If your initial application is unsuccessful, you can re-apply within 12 months at 50% of the applicable tier fee, with only the unmet criteria re-assessed. If you withdraw before the panel confirms completeness, the fee has not yet been paid, so no refund situation arises.
Can I apply for Tier 2 or Tier 3 directly without Tier 1?
Yes. Tiers are cumulative but you do not need to hold a Tier 1 certification before applying for Tier 2 or Tier 3 — you simply need to meet all criteria for lower tiers as part of the same application. A Tier 2 application requires all Tier 1 documents plus Tier 2 documents. A Tier 3 application requires all Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 documents submitted together. The fee charged corresponds to the highest tier applied for.
Can I appeal if my application is unsuccessful?
If certification is not granted, the written decision specifies which criteria were unmet and what documentation would be required for a successful re-assessment. You can re-apply at 50% of the tier fee within 12 months, with only the unmet criteria re-assessed. There is no formal appeals panel — the re-assessment process serves as the remedy. New evidence or updated documents can be submitted with the re-application.