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.
The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office detained 17 foreign nationals—15 Malaysians and 2 Singaporeans—on October 22 for allegedly running an illegal online personal lending business in Dalung, North Kuta, Bali. They are suspected of misusing residence permits and submitting false visa information.
Bali's Ngurah Rai Immigration Office detained 17 foreigners—15 Malaysians and two Singaporeans—suspected of running an illegal online lending business while misusing their residence permits. The group was raided at their base in Dalung, North Kuta, on October 22, and is accused of providing false information to obtain visas.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced that several business classifications requiring a minimum capital of Rp10 billion are now closed to new foreign direct investment (PMA) in Bali. He also signaled a crackdown on "nominee" arrangements, where foreigners use local names to control land or businesses. Existing foreign-run operations may be grandfathered under old permits, but new licenses in these sectors will no longer be issued.
The Pemuteran Bay Festival 2026 will be held November 26-28 in Pemuteran, Buleleng Regency, North Bali, combining cultural performances, marine activities, and coral reef conservation programs. Festival entry is free, though diving, accommodation, and meals are charged separately.
Hyundai Motor has supplied 11 mid-size electric buses to the Bali provincial government as part of an ODA project, marking the first introduction of EV buses on the island. The move is expected to advance the electrification of Bali's public transportation.
A 34-year-old Chinese national identified as LQ caused a disturbance in a residential area and at a gas station in Pandak Bandung Village, Kediri District, Tabanan, Bali, shouting and acting erratically without apparent reason. Following a public complaint, Tabanan Immigration officials and police secured him, and he has since been transferred to the Denpasar Immigration Detention House (Rudenim) in Jimbaran for further handling.
The Uma Lengge Festival 2026 opened on October 25 in Maria Village, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, showcasing the traditional Mbojo culture over three days. Local authorities aim to boost tourism and the local economy, with plans to collaborate with travel agencies in Lombok and Bali to include the festival in future tour packages.
A 44-year-old man from Sampang, Madura, has been arrested by Badung Police for two separate incidents in Kuta Utara, Bali: breaking into a villa and stealing an iPhone, MacBook, and hard drive from an Australian tourist, and robbing a Polish woman of her phone. Part of the stolen property was reportedly sold for as little as Rp150,000.
An unidentified woman's body, believed to be a foreign national, was found at Nyang Nyang Beach in Pecatu Village, Badung Regency, Bali, on Saturday evening. A fisherman discovered the body, and a joint search-and-rescue team led by Basarnas spent about two hours recovering it before transporting it to Sanglah Hospital. The cause of death and the victim's identity remain unknown pending further investigation.
Korean actor Kim Bin-woo shared on social media that two months after relocating to Bali, her entire family has struggled with health issues—children catching colds twice each along with insect bites and hives, and even her usually healthy husband running a high fever—as they adapt to the new environment.
A Russian tourist was reportedly detained and deported from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport after filming a brief video clip while waiting in the immigration queue. Indonesian law prohibits photography and videography in immigration control areas, and authorities say surveillance footage was used to identify the violation.
Indonesia's Tourism Ministry is strengthening promotion in the Chinese market, partnering with travel platforms like Ctrip and Qunar and airlines such as China Southern, capitalizing on China's regional visa-free policy launched in August 2026. Chinese visitor arrivals reached about 162,600 in August 2026, up 15.6% year-on-year, making China the third-largest source market for Indonesian tourism.
Yuzu Kawakami, 19, who moved alone to Bali's Green School at age 15, launched a project to cultivate and distribute Japanese rice to address local farmers' poverty during her studies. She shares her journey of turning discomfort with Japan's education system into action, and how crowdfunding helped her build connections in the local community.
A 46-year-old Czech woman was deported from Bali after immigration officials found she was marketing villa sales in Abang, Karangasem, while on a Visa on Arrival (VoA) intended for tourism. The case was uncovered through Facebook posts and a sales sign at the property.
HIBIKI ACADEMY BALI, a Denpasar-based institution providing Japanese language education and training for technical intern and specified skilled worker programs, has commissioned a Japanese company to produce manga-style educational materials. The manga will be used to explain program details to Indonesians preparing to work in Japan.
Japanese company LOC, supported by NSJAPAN, has been commissioned to produce manga-style educational materials for HIBIKI ACADEMY BALI, a Japanese-language and vocational training institute in Denpasar that prepares Indonesians for work in Japan. The deal grew out of earlier trade-show and direct-sales contacts made in Bali.
According to Colliers Indonesia, hotel booking windows in Bali have shrunk from an average of 12 weeks to just 4-6 weeks before arrival, as travelers delay bookings amid global uncertainty. This shift is forcing hoteliers to rethink occupancy forecasting and diversify revenue beyond room sales.
The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) 2026 officially opened on October 21 in Gianyar, Bali, bringing together more than 150 writers, thinkers, and artists from around the world. The five-day literary festival runs through October 25.
The Global Ethics Forum 2026 was held in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, bringing together diplomats, academics, business representatives, and religious leaders from Indonesia and abroad to discuss the ethical responsibilities needed to ensure AI and technological progress respect human dignity.
Belitung Regency and Citilink airline are exploring a new flight connection to Bali, with a one-stop trial route via Jakarta set to begin November 16, 2026. A fully direct Belitung-Bali flight is also under study for the future.