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.
Japanese chef Ryoichi Kano lives in southern Bali with his wife and 34 rescued dogs. The story highlights Bali's serious stray dog problem, driven by low pet ownership awareness and a cycle of abandonment.
ICON BEACH FESTIVAL 2026 was held at ICON BALI's beachfront on September 19-20, 2026, featuring a free K-pop concert by PENTAGON's Jung Wooseok, a fashion show, and a bazaar with 30 vendors, drawing thousands of visitors. The event also aimed to promote local designers and Bali's creative industry.
Investment and lending in Bali's hotel and construction sectors are surging even as foreign tourist arrival growth slows sharply, raising concerns about oversupply and demand imbalance. Performance varies widely by area and price segment, with Sanur thriving while Ubud and Kuta struggle with weak demand.
The fourth annual ARMA Fest opened at the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) in Ubud, featuring painting exhibitions, traditional dance, and music performances. The festival aims to bridge senior and young artists while supporting local small businesses, promoting Bali's cultural heritage as a living tradition.
LUX Property Group, founded by Australian entrepreneur Jamie McIntyre, is marketing both completed villas and off-plan wholesale properties across Bali and Lombok, presenting buyers with a choice between immediate access and lower entry pricing. While the company highlights potential savings and rental income, foreign buyers should be aware that Indonesia restricts direct freehold land ownership by foreigners, making independent legal verification essential.
Tourism analyst Azril Azhari has raised concerns that hundreds of hotels and villas listed for sale in Bali may be linked to a 'shadow economy' involving foreigners who fund and manage businesses registered under local Indonesian names. He also pointed to a mismatch between high tourist numbers and hotel occupancy rates, as well as allegations of foreigners operating businesses on tourist visas.
On September 19, the first day of Japan's Silver Week holiday, Chubu Centrair Airport's international departure lobby was crowded with travelers heading abroad, including families bound for Bali as well as Shanghai. Such holiday periods typically bring a seasonal increase in Japanese tourist demand for Bali.
In the Black Lava area on the western slope of Mount Batur in Kintamani, Bangli regency, Bali, local communities held a traditional ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the 1926 volcanic eruption. Thousands gathered in customary groups carrying their own banners, following an earlier purification ritual for a marker symbolizing the old Batur village that existed before the eruption forced relocation. This is a cultural commemoration event, not related to any current volcanic activity.
Bali's Ngurah Rai Immigration Office detained 13 foreign nationals in a joint operation across Umalas, Seminyak, and Canggu, on suspicion of misusing residence permits for prostitution-related activities. Those detained include citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan, with three also found to have overstayed their visas. All are under further investigation and face possible deportation and a five-year entry ban.
The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Bali has expanded its jurisdiction to include the North Badung districts of Mengwi, Abiansemal, and Petang, now covering the entire Badung Regency. As a result, foreign residents in these areas will now apply for residence permits and be subject to oversight through the Ngurah Rai office instead of the Denpasar immigration office.
Bali is seeing rising demand for flexible monthly rental housing as more people relocate for work rather than tourism. Co-living operator Cove reports a 100% increase in monthly rental rooms since early 2026, with Denpasar emerging as the top demand area.
Immigration authorities at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport denied entry to a 29-year-old Ethiopian national who was subject to an Interpol Red Notice for fraud. He was detained after arriving on September 6, 2026, initially refused deportation, but was escorted by Indonesian Interpol officials and deported to Ethiopia on September 15.
Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Bali has repatriated a 29-year-old Ethiopian national who was subject to an Interpol Red Notice for fraud. The individual was flagged during immigration checks on September 6 and deported under Interpol escort on September 15.
Bali Police have launched "Operation Gapura Agung IV-2026," deploying 744 personnel to secure two international police events in Nusa Dua from September 20–24, 2026: the 63rd International Association of Women Police (IAWP) Training Conference and the 14th Senior Officer Meeting between Indonesian and Australian Federal Police. Visitors and residents near Nusa Dua should expect heightened security presence and possible traffic adjustments during this period.
Bali Police have detained a former head of the Badung Regency Land Office over allegations of forging a land measurement report related to a long-running dispute near Pura Dalem Balangan temple. The case originated from a 2018 complaint filed with Indonesia's Ombudsman over maladministration in resolving the land dispute. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the reliability of land certificates in Bali, which is directly relevant for foreign nationals purchasing or leasing property on the island.
Indonesian carrier TransNusa will launch daily direct flights between Melbourne and Bali (Denpasar) starting October 19, 2026, introducing its first-ever Premium Plus service class. Ticket sales begin September 15, 2026.
A French tourist couple visiting Kusamba village in Klungkung, Bali, were captivated by the traditional salt-making process using coconut trunk troughs and bought some to bring home. While the salt holds an official Geographical Indication certification, local farmers face declining demand for this labor-intensive variety.
Tribe Bali Legian, a new Accor-brand hotel, opened in August 2026 at the former Ibis Styles Legian location in Bali. The 113-room property is offering introductory rates from around IDR 1.3 million per night through the end of October 2026.
Denpasar's Culture Office has produced a 50-minute docudrama titled 'Mati Tan Tumut Pejah,' depicting the 1906 Puputan Badung resistance against Dutch colonialism. The film will premiere on September 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Lapangan I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung in Denpasar as part of the 120th anniversary commemoration.
Denpasar's city government plans to sustainably develop sports-based tourism events, with Deputy Mayor I Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa recently receiving a special award at the Bali Tourism Award 2026. The Bali Friendship Hockey Festival, held in September with teams from Indonesia, Singapore and Australia, exemplifies this trend, as Bali's tourist arrivals reached about 4.6 million by August 2026.