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.
According to Kensetsu Tsushin Shimbun, a large-scale commercial facility in Bali has opened, with design supervision provided by Mitsubishi Jisho Design's Singapore subsidiary. Details on the exact location, scale, and tenants are unavailable as the source article is behind a paywall.
In August 2026, Indonesia's BMKG reported that most of the country, including Bali, has entered a dry season with low rainfall. Combined with rapid tourism development and the loss of rice paddies, experts warn of a growing long-term water crisis on the island.
BR, a Lithuanian passport holder born in Israel who managed the travel agency 'The Bali Dream' catering to Israeli tourists, was deported from Bali by Ngurah Rai Immigration on August 13, 2026 for visa misuse. He had entered on a business visit visa but was working as a paid content creator and digital marketer. Bali's governor said he would coordinate with the central government to prevent similar cases.
The Bali Provincial Government has announced a partnership with Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attract European investors and strengthen the region's healthcare services. Plans include developing specialized hospitals and collaborating with European companies on medical equipment, as part of broader efforts to diversify Bali's economy beyond tourism.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster chaired a coordination meeting to evaluate service improvements at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Following complaints in mid-2025 about long baggage waits and immigration queues, reforms have reportedly led to significantly faster baggage claim and immigration processing times.
Following an earthquake that struck the Flores Island area of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on the morning of August 15, Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport confirmed that airport operations remain normal with no flight cancellations to or from NTT.
Indonesia's meteorological agency (BMKG) confirmed that the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) early Saturday was caused by the Flores back-arc thrust fault. The tsunami warning was lifted at 7:30 AM local time, but BMKG warned the fault could still produce quakes up to magnitude 7.8-7.9 and is closely monitoring aftershock activity.
Bank Indonesia's Bali office, in cooperation with the Bali Transportation Agency, is offering a special Rp1,000 fare (down from the normal Rp4,400) for passengers using QRIS Tap payment on the Trans Metro Dewata and Trans Sarbagita public buses throughout August 2026, to mark Indonesia's 81st Independence Day and Bali Province's 68th anniversary. The discount is limited to 300 riders per day, so early boarding is advised for those wanting to take advantage of it.
Cok Ace, chairman of Bali's Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) and a member of the Ubud royal family, stated that while foreign presence has been important to Bali's tourism development, stricter selection of investments, monitoring of foreign nationals, and clearer regulations are needed. He emphasized that foreign investment should not displace local businesses and should instead benefit Bali's environment, culture, and residents.
The Bali provincial government is stepping up enforcement of the Foreign Tourist Levy (PWA), with compliance rising from 35.4% in 2025 to about 43% by August 2026. Authorities are coordinating with immigration and international airlines to inform tourists of the levy before arrival.
According to a report citing European sources, Indonesia's tourist visa fee for European travelers is about 24 euros (roughly Rp494,000), which is relatively high among Asian countries but still cheaper than Cambodia and Laos. This is useful cost information for European tourists planning to visit Bali.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced that the core zone of the Bali Cultural Center project in Klungkung is targeted for completion in 2027, and proposed holding the 50th Bali Arts Festival (PKB) there in 2028. He noted that the current venue, Denpasar's Art Center, can no longer accommodate the growing number of visitors.
A Canadian couple traveling in Bali rescued a friendly stray dog they met on the street, took it to a vet, and ultimately brought it back home to Canada to live with them after struggling to find a local adopter. The heartwarming story has gained attention on social media.
Indonesia's parliament passed a law on July 21, 2026 establishing the Pusat Finansial Internasional Indonesia (PFII), a new international financial center, with Bali being considered as its permanent location. The law offers incentives such as golden visas and corporate tax exemptions for foreign investors, and local businesses in Bali, including wine producers, are anticipating economic benefits from an influx of high-net-worth individuals.
Garuda Indonesia launched a new direct route between Bandung's Husein Sastranegara International Airport and Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport starting August 14, 2026. The flight operates four times weekly with one-way fares starting at Rp1.3 million. This marks Garuda's first flight from Bandung since the airport reopened for commercial flights after being closed since October 2023.
Police in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, have named a 33-year-old suspect (initials SO) as a fraud suspect for allegedly defrauding a Canadian-owned Bali-based tour agency of Rp244.2 million intended for a Komodo National Park tour package for 22 Chinese tourists. The boat SO claimed to have booked was never actually reserved, leaving the tour group stranded upon arrival in Labuan Bajo.
According to a Bank Indonesia Bali survey, Bali's commercial property price index fell 4.99% year-on-year in Q2 2026, driven partly by foreign tourists shifting to shorter stays. While hotel and office rental prices declined, apartment and retail rental rates rose.
Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration is reviewing work visa rules and considering new tax regulations for foreign digital nomads amid their growing presence in Bali. Officials say existing laws assume local employment, creating regulatory gaps for remote workers earning income from overseas employers. No formal policy has been finalized yet.
Following viral social media posts highlighting the presence of Israeli tourists in Bali, Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration has issued an official clarification. It explained that Israeli citizens may enter either through a strict visa verification process or by using third-country passports obtained through dual citizenship, such as Portuguese, German, or Greek passports.
Garuda Indonesia and InJourney will offer approximately 170,845 free domestic flight seats to foreign tourists holding Garuda international round-trip tickets, running from August to the end of November 2026. The program aims to reduce tourist concentration in Bali and Jakarta by encouraging visits to other destinations like Yogyakarta and Lombok.