Bali reiterates welcome to tourists but warns foreigners to obey immigration and cultural rules

Bali — Bali authorities are reiterating that the island remains a welcoming destination for international visitors, while stressing that foreign tourists must follow immigration regulations, respect local culture and obey public-order rules during their stay.

A recent English-language feature highlights that Bali seeks to provide a sense of safety and hospitality for all tourists, but underlines that this welcome depends on visitors complying with Indonesian law, their visa conditions and basic standards of respectful behaviour.

Guidelines for respectful travel in Bali

The Bali Provincial Government has issued formal travel guidelines for foreign tourists that emphasise cultural respect, public order and environmental protection.

According to the provincial tourism portal, visitors are asked to respect Balinese customs and traditions, dress modestly and appropriately, especially when visiting temples or attending religious ceremonies, and maintain polite behaviour toward local residents and fellow tourists.

The guidelines also urge tourists to use official services, including licensed money changers and registered accommodation, to comply with traffic regulations and to help keep public spaces clean by avoiding littering and supporting efforts to reduce single-use plastics.

The same guidance lists specific prohibitions, including working or conducting business activities without proper permits, engaging in any form of illegal activity, using or distributing narcotics, violating traffic rules, damaging or interfering with religious offerings and ceremonial items, and taking inappropriate photos or behaving disrespectfully in sacred areas.

As part of efforts to preserve Bali’s culture and environment, foreign tourists are required to pay a foreign tourist levy of 150,000 rupiah per person, a one-time fee intended to support cultural and environmental programmes on the island.

Temple etiquette and sacred spaces

Tourism authorities and local media continue to stress temple etiquette and cultural respect as central to visiting Bali’s many religious sites.

Visitors are widely advised to wear a sarong, sash and modest top when entering temple grounds, to avoid stepping on or disturbing offerings and ceremonial items, and to refrain from climbing, sitting or posing on shrines, statues or other sacred structures.

Official guidance also warns against taking inappropriate or provocative photos in sacred areas and urges tourists to seek permission before entering restricted zones within temples, which are often reserved for worshippers.

Immigration rules and enforcement

Indonesia’s immigration authorities have stepped up enforcement in Bali in response to visa overstays, unauthorised work and other violations by foreign nationals.

In recent operations, the regional immigration office in Bali has reported detaining and deporting foreign nationals who overstayed their visas, worked without permits or otherwise breached immigration and public-order rules.

Senior immigration officials have stated that while Indonesia welcomes “quality” tourists and investors, those who disregard Indonesian laws and local customs face detention, deportation and potential entry bans.

Authorities have also reported refusing entry to hundreds of travellers at Bali’s main international airport this year for reasons such as invalid visas, passports close to expiry and existing immigration or criminal records, underscoring closer scrutiny at the border.

Immigration and tourism officials have repeatedly called on foreign tourists to understand their visa type and duration, respect the purpose of their stay and avoid working, doing business or creating commercial content without the appropriate permits.

Calls to respect local norms

Law enforcement and tourism officials have paired stricter enforcement with public reminders that Bali’s hospitality relies on mutual respect.

Police have urged visitors to observe local laws and norms after high-profile incidents involving foreign tourists, warning that antisocial behaviour, public indecency and online hate speech can carry serious consequences, including arrest and deportation.

Travel advisories aimed at Australians and other visitors have echoed these messages, advising tourists to carry identification, follow traffic rules, treat religious sites with care and avoid assuming that laws are flexible simply because other visitors appear to ignore them.

Officials say the combination of clear guidelines and stronger enforcement is intended to protect Bali’s cultural heritage and public order while ensuring that the island remains a safe and attractive destination for international travellers.

Sources

• Bali Provincial Government
• The Bali Sun
• Arab News
• Nine.com.au
• RRI (Radio Republik Indonesia)