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.
At a real estate development forum in Bali, a project director from Ciputra Beach Resort urged local developers to learn from foreign competitors rather than simply resist them, citing issues like nominee ownership arrangements and construction before permits are finalized as problems that can occur among both foreign and local developers.
Bali is experiencing a gasoline shortage believed to be caused by distribution disruptions from bad weather, leading to long lines at gas stations. Some people have resorted to camping out while waiting to refuel, while others have turned to horses for transportation, drawing attention on social media.
A gasoline shortage caused by weather-related distribution disruptions led to long queues at gas stations across Bali. The government temporarily introduced odd-even fuel rationing based on license plate numbers, which eased congestion, but cheaper fuel remains hard to find and residents are often left paying higher prices.
Hatake, guitarist of the Japanese rock band Sha Ran Q who now lives in Bali, appeared as a guest on an Osaka FM radio show. Photos from the appearance, shared on social media, drew attention for his rocker look and apparent enjoyment of life in Bali.
The Lumajang Regency government in East Java has declared a two-month hydrometeorological disaster alert, from November 2, 2026 to January 1, 2027, due to the risk of lahar (rain-triggered volcanic mudflow) from Mount Semeru. The measure aims to strengthen disaster preparedness during the seasonal transition. This is in East Java, not Bali, but relevant for travelers passing through or visiting the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru area.
Police in Denpasar have arrested a 22-year-old man suspected of committing five bag-snatching attacks on foreign tourists from Sweden, Italy, the UK, and Australia in the Sanur tourist area. Two victims were injured during the incidents, which occurred over a short period on November 5, 2026, with the suspect using a white automatic motorbike.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has directed state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to develop a rail line connecting I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport with tourist areas including Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and parts of northern Bali. The plan is in early stages, with no details yet on route length, stations, budget, or construction timeline.
A dispute has surfaced over Villa Cinta, a luxury villa in Bali operated by a subsidiary of Malaysia-listed Avillion Bhd, after the land's registered titleholder—a former local company director—claimed ownership and alleged the lease had expired. No legal proceedings have been filed yet, but the case highlights legal risks facing foreign investors in Indonesian property.
The director of Indonesian state railway company KAI announced that the government has prepared a budget of over Rp2 trillion for a new rail/tram line in Bali connecting Ngurah Rai International Airport, Legian, and Canggu. The project will be built in two phases and is expected to take around two years to complete.
HIPMI's Bali chapter held the "HIPMI Real Estate Development Program 2026" in Denpasar on November 6-7, aiming to build a solid community of local real estate developers. The event follows Indonesia's Investment Ministry/BKPM blocking business classification code KBLI 68111 on the OSS system, a move to curb foreign capital from misusing real estate permits to build and commercialize villas.
Kuta Police in Badung Regency arrested two teenage suspects, aged 17 and 15, on October 31 while they were refueling a motorcycle at a gas station on Jalan Sunset Road. The pair are linked to a series of necklace-snatching incidents targeting foreign tourists, including victims from India and Azerbaijan, though police say they operated independently rather than as partners.
Police at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali have arrested the owner of an unlicensed travel agency accused of organizing illegal Hajj pilgrimages and defrauding prospective pilgrims of between Rp250 million and Rp350 million (roughly USD 16,000–22,000) per person. The scheme involved flying victims to Malaysia visa-free before promising onward travel to Saudi Arabia without proper Hajj documentation, and immigration officers intercepted 13 would-be pilgrims at the airport before departure.
East Java's transportation agency plans to open a new ferry route from Jangkar Port to Bawang, West Bali, by late November 2026 to ease holiday traffic congestion. Ketapang-Gilimanuk port is also undergoing dock upgrades and faster loading to reduce queues.
Denpasar's immigration detention center (Rudenim) deported five foreign nationals—from China, Iran, and Nigeria—between November 2 and 4, 2026, for violations including extreme overstay, disturbing residents, alleged involvement in a watch theft case, and submitting false information to obtain an investor stay permit. All five are also being proposed for entry bans preventing future return to Indonesia.
A Polish male tourist had his gold necklace snatched by a motorbike-riding thief while walking to a convenience store at night in Kerobokan, Badung, Bali. The incident was captured on CCTV and went viral on social media. Police are tracking the suspect.
A new Ferris wheel attraction called 'The Wheel Bali' has opened in Canggu, Badung Regency, offering visitors panoramic views of the coastline and sunset from 45 meters high. The attraction operates daily and offers separate ticket options for Bali ID holders, domestic tourists, KITAS holders, and foreign tourists.
IHG Hotels & Resorts announced plans to add 13 new hotels with 2,494 rooms to its Indonesia pipeline, focusing on key tourism destinations including Bali and Lombok. The expansion is driven by rising tourism demand across the Asia-Pacific region.
Bali's customs and excise revenue reached Rp1.07 trillion by the end of September 2026, achieving about 68% of the annual target. Alcohol beverage excise (MMEA) accounted for 87.8% of total revenue, driven by rising foreign tourist arrivals, which totaled 5.23 million from January to September.
A Bali provincial lawmaker has proposed a roughly $60 package fee for foreign tourists that would include health and accident insurance plus access to healthcare services. The proposal, still under discussion with the governor, would also review repeated entrance fees at individual attractions, but it has not yet been adopted as policy.
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI BALI) hosted the international arts and design event B-GAAD III in Denpasar from October 26-30, 2026. The five-day festival featured nine programs including gamelan concerts, exhibitions, and symposiums, drawing 1,616 participants from 12 countries.