Bali Immigration Crackdown Sees Tourists Stopped for Passport Checks
Bali – Visitors to the popular Indonesian resort island are being stopped on the streets for routine immigration checks as part of an intensified crackdown on visa violations and overstays. Videos circulating on social media show uniformed immigration officers in safety vests approaching foreign tourists in the cultural town of Ubud, requesting to inspect passports and stay permits.
The operation is part of a government task force deployed earlier this year aimed at addressing rising immigration offenses linked to the island’s booming tourism sector. According to reports from the South China Morning Post, approximately 100 officers equipped with body cameras have been assigned to patrol 10 major tourist hotspots throughout Bali, including popular areas such as Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, and Jimbaran.
Bali continues to attract millions of international visitors, with over four million foreigners traveling to the island from January to July 2025—an increase compared to 3.89 million during the same period last year. However, authorities have flagged a surge in immigration violations. Between January and July, the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office deported 148 foreign nationals, 66 of whom were individuals found to have overstayed their visas.
The crackdown extends beyond beach resorts and tourist centers to encompass inspections of businesses frequently visited by foreigners, such as motorbike rentals, nightclubs, and beauty salons. Officials also verify that foreign workers possess the correct visas and work permits. The enforcement effort includes collaboration with village leaders and local accommodation providers, enhancing community participation in tracking and reporting violations.
Denpasar immigration head Haryo Sakti emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “We hope that the active involvement from the village to the regency will be the main force in detecting and cracking down on violations by foreigners.”
Travelers are reminded to carry their passports or official stay permits, known as KITAS, at all times while on the island. Since September 1, arrivals at Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai Airport are required to fill out the All Indonesia Arrival Card, a new digital form consolidating travel, health, customs, quarantine, and immigration declarations. This free online system necessitates submission prior to arrival, with a QR code issued to be presented to immigration officers.
In addition to the new digital card, travelers can apply for an electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) via the All Indonesia portal at least 48 hours before travel. This visa, valid for 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days, costs approximately $50 (IDR 500,000). The Australian government’s Smart Traveller website advises that visitors ensure their passports have at least six months’ validity and that they hold an e-VOA or traditional VOA to enter or transit through Indonesia.
Foreign nationals seeking visa extensions must register their application online and then visit the nearest immigration office for document verification and biometric processing before receiving approval. Additionally, a $15 Bali tourist tax applies on top of the visa fees.
The immigration task force’s efforts underscore the Indonesian government’s commitment to maintaining legal compliance among foreign visitors amid Bali’s growing popularity as an international travel destination. Tourists and foreign workers alike are urged to adhere strictly to visa regulations to avoid penalties or deportation.
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