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.
On July 31, 2026, the Democrat Party's Bali and Tabanan branches held a 'Blue Sky Movement' cleanup and fish-fry release at Lake Beratan near Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, aiming to preserve the tourist site's environment and support local tourism-driven economy.
A video showing a foreign man promoting the sale of approximately 5,000 square meters of land in Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali, has gone viral on social media, raising questions about the legality of foreigners marketing land with freehold (hak milik) status in Indonesia. The Bangli Regency government has launched an investigation but has not yet confirmed the land's exact location or ownership.
A 34-year-old US citizen identified by the initials SR has drawn attention online for promoting a 0.54-hectare (54-are) plot of land for sale in Kintamani, Bangli Regency, Bali, via a Facebook video in English. Denpasar Immigration has summoned SR for clarification, though as of Thursday afternoon he had not yet appeared.
The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Nusa Dua, Bali has opened Trinity Courts, a new facility offering tennis, padel and pickleball courts. Developed in partnership with Trinity Courts SCBD in Jakarta, this marks the brand's first location in Bali and is open daily from 7am to 8pm for resort guests.
A smoke incident occurred at a commercial stall on the second floor of the international terminal at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport. Airport firefighters responded quickly, resolving the situation within about 16 minutes. No injuries were reported and airport operations continued normally.
An expatriate-only running club called Bali Silent Disco in Canggu has drawn criticism for excluding local Indonesians, prompting immigration authorities to deport two Dutch organizers. The event allegedly violated visa conditions, adding to a string of recent controversies involving foreigners in Bali, including drug smuggling, illegal work, and visa misuse.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced that the island welcomed 16.3 million visitors in 2025, but warned that infrastructure has not kept pace, citing worsening traffic congestion, waste volumes, and threats to clean water supply. The provincial government plans to expand road networks, waste management, and water access to address these issues.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has begun directly overseeing efforts to advance the long-planned North Bali International Airport, according to the Presidential Chief of Staff. Following an expression of support from traditional Balinese royal representatives, the government scheduled a coordination meeting in Jakarta on July 30 involving Bali's governor and relevant ministers. The airport is listed as a strategic project in Indonesia's 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan, aimed at balancing development between northern and southern Bali.
The Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (KBSTCC) held a hatchling release event during the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) hatching season at Kuta Beach, Badung, Bali. More than 500 foreign tourists participated in releasing 500 baby turtles into their natural habitat, part of an effort to combine conservation with eco-tourism.
The Bali regional tax office (DJP Bali) and Karangasem Regency government have formed a joint team to increase tax revenue through data-driven monitoring and taxpayer education. The initiative will focus on tourism areas along Karangasem's east coast, where many unregistered taxpayers have been identified.
Indonesian immigration authorities have barred two Dutch nationals from re-entering the country over their role in organizing Entourage Bali's silent disco running event, after social media posts alleged the club rejected Indonesian applicants while accepting foreigners. The incident has triggered a broader crackdown, with several other popular running clubs in Bali pausing activities amid growing scrutiny of foreigners' conduct on the island.
Indonesia's Jasa Raharja has praised a Bali-based ride-hailing motorbike driver who refused to transport a foreign tourist who would not wear a helmet, sticking to a strict 'No Helmet, No Ride' policy despite it costing him a day's worth of bookings. The company is urging all road users, including foreign tourists, to follow traffic safety rules such as helmet use.