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's Ngurah Rai International Airport held a series of events from August 16-21 to celebrate Indonesia's 81st Independence Day, featuring traditional dance, music performances, and a nusantara costume parade at both domestic and international terminals, concluding with a beach cleanup at Kelan Beach. Airport operations continued as normal for travelers.
Jembrana Police in Bali arrested a shop owner in Gilimanuk for selling illegal cigarettes, seizing 2,314 packs of various brands. The suspect has been handed over to Denpasar Customs Office for further legal processing under excise tax violation charges.
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited an evacuation center in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), expressing condolences and apologizing for shortcomings in the emergency response to a recent earthquake. The government pledged to deliver food, water, and medical aid to all affected areas and urged residents not to return home yet due to the risk of aftershocks.
Indonesian Railways (KAI) has revealed it is studying new rail line development in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Bali, following directives from President Prabowo Subianto. Bali's priority remains undetermined, with land acquisition readiness expected to determine construction order. Amid a widening state budget deficit, the government is also exploring foreign investors, including from China and Russia, to help fund the projects.
CCTV footage showing a foreign man and two women engaging in a public indecent act in front of a resident's garage in Canggu, Bali, has gone viral on social media. Local police have opened an investigation and pledged increased patrols in the area. The identities of those involved remain unknown.
A British tourist, Paul Innes Dougan, died after allegedly being beaten by a group of four Australian men at a bar in Kuta, Bali, in the early hours of August 5. The suspects left Indonesia the day after the incident, and Denpasar police are now coordinating with the Australian consulate as the investigation continues.
A yoga school called 'Michi Yoga', based in Ubud, Bali, is facing accusations of canceling overseas training programs and failing to refund tuition fees. Around 60 people, mostly Japanese women, reportedly formed a support group after losing contact with the school's representative.
Denpasar Immigration is investigating after a viral video showed a Ubud-area gym owner ejecting three foreigners allegedly linked to the Israeli military (IDF). Two of the men have been identified as Israeli-born holders of Bulgarian and Romanian passports who entered Bali on August 3 using visa-on-arrival/visitor visas.
A new beachfront venue called Zumana opened on August 19 at Sunset Bay in Kuta, Bali, combining music, art and dining. It is operated by Savaya Group, which runs Savaya Baliβranked Asia's No.1 club by DJ Mag's 2026 Top 100 Clubs. A Grand Opening Weekend featuring international DJs is scheduled for September 25-26.
State water management company Perum Jasa Tirta I (PJT I) is developing a Smart Water Management System (SWMS) to prevent a repeat of the major September 2025 flood in Denpasar. Starting in 2026, PJT I will manage the Bali-Penida river basin using automatic rainfall and water level monitors, real-time data links, and early warning collaboration with Indonesia's weather agency BMKG.
Saka Museum at AYANA Bali has released a 13-minute documentary titled 'Pasihan,' exploring the spiritual and communal dimensions of Bali's traditional subak irrigation system. The film complements the museum's permanent exhibition 'Subak: The Ancient Order of Bali' and is screened daily as part of the admission experience.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on August 15, damaging the Reo fuel terminal in Manggarai, Flores. State oil company Pertamina is accelerating repairs, with the terminal currently running on manual operation only. Aviation fuel for Labuan Bajo's Komodo Airport is being temporarily rerouted from Bima, NTB, ensuring fuel supply continuity for travelers to the popular Komodo tourism gateway.
As the number of foreign tourists visiting Bali increases, cases of investment scams, sexual harassment, and even kidnapping or murder targeting foreign nationals have been reported. Bali Police announced they are strengthening early detection, patrols in tourist areas, and coordination with accommodation providers and local communities to prevent such incidents.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced plans to develop Gerokgak sub-district in Buleleng regency into an economic growth and tourism hub. Eastern Buleleng will focus on culture and heritage sites, while the west will be developed economically, aligning with a central government special economic zone program.
Among a roundup of trending Indonesian news stories, one item highlighted a football match between Persib Bandung and Bali United at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Gianyar, Bali, as part of the Dewata Challenge Series 2026. The same roundup also mentioned unrelated events elsewhere in Indonesia, including a student protest in Jakarta and a bus depot fire in Bekasi, neither of which directly affects Bali.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, on August 15, 2026, damaging health facilities in East Manggarai district. On August 18, Indonesia's search and rescue agency (Basarnas) airlifted injured survivors by helicopter to Labuan Bajo, a major tourist gateway, for further medical treatment.
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has deployed a joint survey team to the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake, conducting macroseismic surveys, ground response testing, and on-site tsunami impact verification. As of midday on August 17, 1,624 aftershocks had been recorded. While the epicenter is not in Bali, the findings and ongoing monitoring are relevant to disaster preparedness across the wider region.
Indonesian football club Bali United has announced the signing of 22-year-old Canadian midfielder Jay Herdman as its final foreign player addition for the 2026/27 season. Herdman previously played for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, where he helped the team win the league title in 2024.
A new venue called Amatra Park has opened in Kerobokan, North Kuta, Badung, Bali, timed with Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations. The launch featured a Kecak dance performance and a local small business bazaar, aiming to become a hub for sustainable cultural tourism.