A Ukrainian woman and a Russian man working as hair stylists at a salon in Tibubeneng, Badung, have been deported from Bali after immigration authorities found they were working outside the scope of their residence permits. The Russian man was also working as a freelance DJ. Both have been proposed for a five-year entry ban.
Things to Consider: Remote Worker visas (ITAS Remote Worker) are strictly for remote work on behalf of an overseas employer and do not permit direct paid work at local businesses such as salons, bars, or event venues in Bali. Employment-based ITAS holders must also ensure their actual job duties match what was declared by their sponsoring company. Anyone considering side jobs or freelance work (e.g., DJing, styling) should verify in advance with immigration authorities or a licensed visa agent whether such activity is permitted under their current visa category, as violations can result in deportation and a five-year entry ban.
Bali-based helicopter tour operator Fly Bali has issued a public apology after Indonesian influencer Ria Ricis criticized staff for being rude, explaining the incident stemmed from a delay due to having only one pilot on duty that day. The company denied allegations of treating local and foreign tourists differently, though it acknowledged its explanation to the guest may have been poorly communicated.
On September 25, Denpasar Immigration officers attempted to crack down on a suspected unauthorized motorcycle riding course for foreigners in Serangan, Bali, but two individuals believed to be instructors fled the scene. Two Belarusian nationals who were taking part in the training are being summoned for questioning.
Taiwan's STARLUX Airlines has launched a direct flight route between Taipei and Denpasar, Bali, operating five times a week. Indonesia's Tourism Ministry expects this new connectivity to further boost Taiwanese tourist arrivals, which grew 7.74% year-on-year to about 130,000 visitors from January to July 2026.
Bali's investment agency (DPMPTSP) reports that foreign-run motorbike rental businesses have proliferated across the island, with fewer than five holding proper foreign investment (PMA) licenses despite an estimated 400 to 500 such businesses operating in practice. Authorities have also found cases of virtual office misuse and suspected use of Indonesian nominees to mask foreign ownership.
Indonesia's Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai announced at the Bali-Timor Leste Business Forum 2026 that the government plans to develop Bali, alongside Jakarta, as an International Financial Center (IFC). The initiative aims to diversify Bali's economy beyond tourism into finance, trade, and investment sectors.
Indonesia's Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai announced plans to develop Bali and Jakarta as International Financial Centers (IFC), aiming to diversify Bali's economy beyond tourism. The statement was made at the Bali-Timor Leste Business Forum 2026.
Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport served 15.5 million passengers from January to August 2026, comprising 10 million international and 5.5 million domestic travelers. Singapore was the top international route, while Australian tourists led foreign arrivals. The airport has also launched a new international-domestic transfer bridge to improve connectivity.
Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that foreign tourist arrivals reached 10.58 million from January to August 2026, a 5.38% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Visitors from Malaysia, Australia, and China made up the majority, with Bali remaining a key entry point.
In Taro village near Ubud, Bali, Indonesia's first firefly conservation center is working to restore firefly populations that have declined due to tourism development, pesticide use, and light pollution. The center, which breeds fireflies and promotes organic farming, also offers eco-tourism visits where guests can learn about the insect's ecological and cultural significance.
According to Bali's statistics office (BPS), French tourist arrivals surged 20.42% to 41,937 visits in August 2026, overtaking India to rank third among source countries. The spike is attributed to European summer holidays and extreme heat driving French travelers to Bali, with overall European arrivals also rising.
Denpasar Immigration Office deported a 39-year-old Russian national who had overstayed his residence permit by 820 days. The action was taken under Article 78(3) of Indonesia's Immigration Law, and officials have proposed placing him on the immigration blacklist. Bali Immigration says it is strengthening monitoring of foreign nationals' permit compliance.
The Indonesian rupiah weakened to Rp18,087.99 per US dollar on September 30, 2026. ASITA Bali's chairman noted both positive and negative effects on the tourism industry and called for greater currency stability.
The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali chapter has asked local government to simplify the permitting process for villas already built in protected green zones. The request comes amid concerns over the growing number of such villas being listed on booking platforms like Airbnb.
Two Russian nationals were arrested by Gianyar Police for stealing pillows, wall masks and decorative items from a villa room in Tampaksiring, Gianyar. Police reported that in September alone, multiple crimes involved foreign nationals, either as perpetrators or victims, prompting increased patrols in tourist areas.
Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism officially opened Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy (WIG) 2026 at Mangkunegaran Palace in Solo, Central Java, on September 26, 2026. Running through October 4 with Solo and Yogyakarta as main hubs, the event features France-Indonesia culinary collaborations and new restaurant guides. While not directly tied to Bali, it offers useful context for visitors interested in Indonesia's broader culinary tourism scene.
Bali Immigration officers arrested four Nigerian nationals for violating their residence permits during a joint raid on a boarding house in Batuaji Village, Kerambitan, Tabanan, Bali. Only one of the four could produce a passport and valid stay permit; the others attempted to flee or hide before being detained for further questioning.
Nuanu Social Fund has announced the first recipients of its FOTO Bali Award, recognizing long-term photography projects. Rudi Waisnawa, who has documented people living with mental health conditions in Bali since 2014, and Irene Barlian, who records climate change impacts across Indonesian communities, were each awarded IDR 22 million from nearly 100 applicants.
BMKG's Bali Climatology Station forecasts the rainy season will begin in late November 2026 and peak around February 2027. Because the season is expected to be shorter than normal, rainfall intensity could be higher, raising the risk of heavy downpours.
A wellness program in a rural village in inland Bali, combining traditional herbal jamu preparation with gentle stretching and yoga, is drawing growing interest from international travelers. The initiative supports local cultural heritage and farmer incomes, and Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism has praised it as a sustainable tourism model.
On the evening of September 26, 2026, hundreds of truck drivers staged a protest that completely halted operations at Ketapang Port in East Java. The disruption spread to Bali's Gilimanuk Port, causing traffic queues exceeding 7 kilometers that had not fully cleared by the afternoon of September 27.