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.
The eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano near Jakarta forced the closure of seven airports across Indonesia on September 7, cancelling around 3,000 flights and stranding over 340,000 people. Five airports, including Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta, reopened on September 8, but volcanic alert levels remain high. Flights connected to Bali were also affected, with reports of stranded tourists including a newlywed couple.
Indonesia's tourism industry association (Asppi) has praised a planned new direct flight route between Bali (Denpasar) and Belitung (Tanjungpandan) as a strategic move to expand access for foreign tourists. However, industry representatives note that success will depend on airline selection, destination readiness, and international marketing strategy.
Australian businessman Jamie McIntyre reportedly faces potential Federal Court proceedings in Australia over alleged breaches of Australian Consumer Law linked to his Bali-based Lux Property Group projects. McIntyre was previously banned for 10 years from managing companies following a 2016 land banking scheme collapse.
Following flight cancellations caused by the September 6 eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano, Indonesia's Immigration Directorate General has begun issuing Emergency Stay Permits (ITKT) and waiving overstay fees for affected foreign nationals. Between September 5-7, 528 flights were affected, impacting 86,760 passengers, with applications also processed at Bali's Ngurah Rai immigration office.
An international hospital, Bali International Hospital, opened in June 2025 within Sanur's medical special economic zone in southeastern Bali. The zone allows foreign doctors to practice under special exemptions and is attracting overseas clinics, aiming to become a medical tourism hub, though room rates rival luxury hotels and some locals say the facility feels inaccessible.
Badung Regency's government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Bali's traditions, culture, and spirituality, which underpin the region's tourism-dependent economy. Officials highlighted temple facility upgrades and improvements to transportation and pedestrian infrastructure aimed at enhancing visitor comfort and extending stays.
Ash from an eruption at Anak Krakatau has disrupted flights, with several Indonesian airports closed and some Jakarta-Bali flights cancelled. Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport remains open, but authorities urge travelers to monitor conditions via the official MAGMA Indonesia platform.
Mount Semeru, on the border of Lumajang and Malang regencies in East Java, erupted Sunday morning with an ash column reaching about 1,000 meters above the summit. The volcano remains at Alert Level III (Siaga), and authorities have advised against outdoor activity within a 13 km radius southeast of the crater along the Besuk Kobokan river. The eruption occurred in East Java, not on Bali island, but travelers with plans to visit that region should stay informed.
A joint patrol dubbed the 'Three Pillars'βcomprising Indonesia's military, police, and municipal enforcement (Satpol PP)βwas conducted in Bali's Canggu area within Kuta Utara district. Officers patrolled cafes, parking areas, and tourist routes to monitor security threats, bylaw violations, and illegal street racing.
Increased volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau has caused more than a dozen flight cancellations and schedule changes at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, mainly affecting Jakarta routes. Airport operations otherwise continue normally, but affected passengers face disruption.
Indonesia's meteorological agency BMKG reported no anomaly in sea levels around the Sunda Strait as of Sunday 7:00 AM local time, based on monitoring from 20 tsunami sensors following renewed activity at Anak Krakatau volcano. Tsunami probability remains low at under 40 percent, though authorities continue to urge coastal residents to stay alert.
Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria, in her role as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, visited earthquake recovery projects in North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, reviewing rebuilt schools, health facilities, and water systems constructed under UNDP's PETRA program following the 2018 earthquake. The visit highlights ongoing disaster resilience efforts in the region, though it involves no new travel restrictions or safety alerts for visitors.
Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation temporarily closed Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta from 1:30 AM to 5:30 AM local time due to volcanic ash spreading from Mount Anak Krakatau. Several domestic flights, including those to Denpasar (Bali), were canceled, delayed, or rescheduled, with possible cascading effects on subsequent flight schedules.
Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration detained 55 Chinese nationals at a data center construction site in BSD Serpong, South Tangerang, on suspicion of working illegally while holding tourist or visit visas. Although the incident occurred in Java rather than Bali, it signals intensified enforcement against visa misuse that could extend to other regions.
The Belitung Regency government in Indonesia has announced plans to develop a new flight route connecting Bali, Belitung, and Bangka islands. Discussions with airlines such as Lion Air are underway, aiming to boost tourism. The plan is still in the proposal stage, with no confirmed launch date yet.
Bali's governor has welcomed plans to reopen a direct Taipei-Bali flight route, expressing hope for increased Taiwanese tourist arrivals. A Starlux aircraft is scheduled to make its inaugural flight on October 1, 2026, marking the route's reopening after a hiatus.
A service called 'RELOCARE' allows people to experience one month of daily life in Bali, including housing, airport transfers, local support, and visa consultations. So far, 30 groups (41 people) have participated. Free online consultations are also available for those still undecided about relocating.
A wildfire broke out on Mount Ijen in Banyuwangi, East Java, prompting authorities to temporarily close the hiking trail to the crater for safety and firefighting operations. The closure affects many tourists who visit Ijen on day trips from Bali, who will need to postpone or cancel their climbs.
A 40-year-old director of an immigration and travel document service company has been charged at Denpasar District Court with embezzling a total of IDR 649,549,255 from 11 foreign clients. Prosecutors allege the funds were not used to pay required immigration office fees, leaving clients' visa and residency documents unprocessed.
The chairman of Bali's DPRD Commission II, Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, has called for regulations limiting land purchases by foreign nationals (WNA) in Bali, citing concerns that high foreign purchasing power is driving up land prices and pricing out local residents. He proposed a zoning system, similar to those in Dubai and Barcelona, to restrict where foreign investment (PMA) can acquire land use rights, though the policy is still under study.