Bali has stepped up immigration checks on foreign content creators carrying out commercial work while travelling on tourist visas, with penalties ranging from fines and deportation to arrest and potential bans from the island.
The Dharma Dewata Task Force, comprising around 100 officers, conducts patrols in areas with high concentrations of foreign visitors and reported immigration violations. Authorities are also monitoring social media for potential breaches.
The crackdown extends beyond influencers. Between January and June 2026, Bali deported 342 foreign nationals from 60 countries. Violations included overstaying visas, disrupting public order and other Indonesian laws.
For travellers and travel advisors, Bali's immigration rules distinguish between participating in activities as a tourist and undertaking paid or commercial work.
Visitors can take part in recreational activities such as yoga, photography or other experiences as tourists, but commercial services or paid content production require the Content Creator Visit Visa (C5A) introduced in May 2025.
Under this visa, content creators may stay as long as they like, on a self-funded basis. They are not allowed to work for local businesses or overstay their visas. Journalistic content and films must also receive prior permissions.
The latest measures follow an earlier Bali initiative targeting foreign nationals involved in criminal or other unlawful activities. Patrols have been focused on tourist-heavy areas including Canggu, Kerobokan, Kediri and Ubud, with authorities stepping up to spot immigration and other legal violations.