Bali lawmaker urges tighter checks on foreign visitors and businesses

Denpasar — Bali legislator Anak Agung Bagus Tri Candra urged immigration officials on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, to tighten checks on foreign visitors arriving in Bali and verify whether their stated purpose is tourism or work, according to Tribun Bali.

Why it matters: The proposal could lead to closer scrutiny of foreign visitors’ permits and activities, but no new inspection rule or effective date has been announced.

Tri Candra, a member of Commission II of Bali’s provincial council, said stronger oversight was needed amid concerns about foreign nationals allegedly involved in criminal activity, misuse of residence permits and illegal business operations, the report said.

He also called on the Bali provincial government to formulate a special regional regulation aimed at promoting higher-quality tourism. The proposal is a political recommendation and does not itself create a new island-wide rule or enforcement order.

His comments followed earlier calls from Bali lawmakers for closer monitoring of foreign nationals’ permits, residences and business activities. NusaBali reported in June 2025 that Commission I lawmakers had asked authorities to strengthen coordination among government agencies, traditional villages, community security officers and law enforcement.

That earlier report cited Bali police figures showing foreign nationals had been involved in 108 cases as alleged perpetrators and 176 cases as victims during the period discussed at a June 23, 2025, working meeting. It also reported that 215 foreign nationals had been deported from Bali during 2025 for violations including overstaying and misuse of residence permits.

The latest proposal does not set a start date, new inspection procedure or penalty. Any new regional regulation would require action by the Bali provincial government and council through the applicable legislative process.

Sources

• Tribun Bali
• NusaBali