A new task force
On 15 April 2026 the Directorate General of Immigration inaugurated the Dharma Dewata patrol task force. It runs rapid checks in areas of Bali with many foreigners. A parallel PIMPASA programme places immigration officers at village level to explain the rules.
Business Standard reports that 62 foreigners were detained in the first three weeks. Illegal work on tourist visas was among the violations.
Immigration leadership says the goal is to cut violations and strengthen the sense of security for residents and tourists.
What counts as work
The C1 tourist visa and the visa on arrival are for leisure only. Sponsored social media posts, remote work for overseas clients, yoga and wellness classes are now off limits. So are paid photo shoots, DJ gigs and volunteering at schools or retreats.
Felucia Sengky Ratna, head of Bali's regional immigration office, said authorities would act firmly against anyone breaching visa conditions.
Penalties and focus areas
Violators face detention, deportation, fines and multi-year entry bans. Checks focus on Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, Kerobokan and Uluwatu. For digital nomads, authorities recommend the E33G remote worker visa.
Payment does not matter
PetaPixel reports that officials look at the substance of an activity, not whether it was paid. Even an unpaid shoot for a portfolio or social media may count as a visa breach.
According to the same report, 165 foreigners were deported from Bali between 1 January and 12 April 2026, and 62 were placed in detention.
In severe cases a breach can lead to a lifetime entry ban.