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.
Authorities have closed all tourist access to Mount Bromo in East Java's Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park indefinitely, effective the night of August 8, as a wildfire has burned around 176 hectares. The closure allows crews to focus on firefighting, with no reopening date announced.
Indonesia is piloting cross-border use of its national QRIS digital payment standard with Saudi Arabia and India, aiming to make transactions easier for foreign tourists as Bali's tourism sector continues to grow.
A pre-dawn 'silent disco run' event has become popular among tourists and long-term residents in Bali's Canggu area, where participants wear wireless headphones and jog through a scenic shortcut path at 5:30am. While the free, no-reservation event is organized by a local community group, concerns have been raised online about safety and consideration for local residents.
The 17th Mel Tanjung Kite Festival (MTKF) took place at Mertasari Beach in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, featuring 1,685 traditional and creative kites. The three-day event showcases Balinese kite-flying as a living cultural tradition and is open for tourists to watch.
The Yacht Festival 2026 is being held at Benoa Port in Denpasar from August 7-9, attended by Indonesia's Tourism Minister and other officials. The event highlights the growth of yacht tourism in Indonesia and discussions on regulatory reform. About 2,000 visitors have attended so far, with organizers targeting over 4,000 by the end of the festival.
The 13th Ubud Village Jazz Festival (UVJF) 2026 opened at STHALA Ubud Village hotel in Bali, running August 7-8 with jazz performances across multiple stages. This year marks the festival's first art exhibition, featuring upcycled and recycled material artworks addressing Bali's overtourism and environmental issues.
On the night of August 7, 2026, the Grand Final of Jegeg Bagus Bali 2026 was held at Denpasar's Art Center, with 18 finalists representing nine regencies/cities across Bali competing for the title. The event, themed around preserving Balinese cultural values, positions young people as ambassadors for culture-based tourism.
Bank Indonesia's Bali branch has recycled around 400,000 unfit-for-circulation banknotes to create approximately 2,000 medals for the 2026 QRIS Bali Summer Run, held in the Renon area of Denpasar. The annual running event also promoted QRIS digital payments and included an MSME festival, discounted market, and free health checks.
Spiritual and cultural tourism remains one of the top reasons visitors come to Bali. Alongside the popular Melukat water purification ceremony at temples like Tirta Empul, summiting the sacred and active volcano Mount Agung (3,142m) offers a physically demanding spiritual pilgrimage. Indonesian law requires all hikers to be accompanied by a licensed local guide.
Indonesia's military (TNI) conducted a large-scale earthquake and tsunami response exercise in Bali in 2026, centered around Denpasar's Merta Sari beach area. The drill tested coordination among the military, police, disaster agencies, and health workers, given Bali's high volume of tourist and resident mobility. This was a scheduled training exercise, not an actual disaster, so there is currently no disruption to daily life or travel.
Denpasar Immigration Office is investigating a 34-year-old US citizen holding an investor KITAS after a viral video showed him promoting roughly 54 acres of land in Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali, with Mount Batur as a backdrop. He has missed two official summons and has been placed on the Subject of Interest (SOI) list, allowing authorities to halt his departure from Indonesia.
Indonesian developer Murino Group opened a new office called Murino Gallery in Berawa, Badung, Bali on July 31, 2026, as part of its expansion into the premium property and hospitality market, backed by rising foreign tourist arrivals and new infrastructure projects.
Customs officials at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar intercepted two Indian nationals attempting to smuggle over 10 kilograms of marijuana concealed in their suitcases. The suspects reportedly told authorities they had come to Bali for a three-day family vacation.
Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, West Java, has opened new flight routes to Bali and Medan (North Sumatra). This gives travelers a direct connection between Bandung and Bali, expanding options for tourism and business trips.
Indonesian authorities are advancing a water taxi project linking Ngurah Rai International Airport to Canggu, along with a 15.6km road network and a 4.7km Berawa shortcut in Badung Regency to ease traffic congestion. Property and hospitality developer Murino Group has opened a new office in Canggu's Berawa area, citing growing investment momentum in the region.
Singaraja's Class II Immigration Office deported a 55-year-old Australian man (initials PJ) for allegedly misusing his Visa-on-Arrival (VOA). He is accused of leading meditation sessions and organizing a paid yoga retreat in Buleleng regency, activities not permitted under a VOA. He has also been proposed for entry into Indonesia's blacklist.
Indonesian travel platform tiket.com is celebrating its 15th anniversary with an 'OURversary' campaign from August 3 to 17, 2026, offering discounts and cashback on domestic and international flights, hotels, and activity tickets, including Jakarta-Denpasar (Bali) flights.
The third edition of the Surya Metu Festival opened at Tanjung Kerambitan Beach in Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, running for four days under the theme of marine conservation and cultural preservation. The event includes coral planting, sea turtle hatchling releases, traditional art competitions, and support for local small businesses.
Indonesia's Audit Board (BPK) has endorsed the immigration directorate's selective visa policy and recommended a thorough review of plans to reinstate broad visa-free entry (BVK) for 169 countries, warning it could reduce state revenue by up to Rp 3.02 trillion annually. Despite selective visa measures, foreign arrivals in 2023 still exceeded 10.6 million.
Indonesia's government announced plans to strengthen investment and tourism in Q3 2026 to sustain economic growth. Foreign tourist arrivals in Bali exceeded 600,000 in June, up 4.63% month-on-month, while East Nusa Tenggara saw a 40%+ year-on-year increase. A new Bali-Phuket direct flight route is expected to further boost visitor numbers.