Bali immigration issues stern visa warning to influencers shooting content on the island

Your favourite influencers may soon have their beach bikini pics swapped for deportation notices, courtesy of a new crackdown targeting content creators in Bali.

Immigration authorities at the Indonesian hotspot revealed they are furthering their enforcement of visa breaches, stating earlier in May they are targeting influencers illegally creating promotional content on the island.

The rise of content creators descending on the holiday hotspot has made Indonesian headlines for several years, with many experts saying there was a “grey area” around whether sponsored social media posts and brand partnerships counted as a breach of visa.

The governing body has since clarified visa violations can stem from any work that “could cause economic benefit to the tourist”, even if cash does not necessarily exchange hands.

Indonesia’s official Immigration page on Instagram shared a list of four “concerning” activities that were classed as breaches of a tourist visa.

“Content creation like creating social media content with promotions,” was listed as one of the top ways tourists breach their permit.

Other examples of prohibited activities included professional services such as photography and DJing, and “work-like” activities that provide benefits, which is understood to include volunteering in exchange for goods and services.

“Indonesian immigration law mandates that foreign nationals use their visa and stay permit in accordance with the intended purpose,” officials for the island stated in the warning.

“Unpaid activities do not automatically qualify as permissible (under the visa).

“Activities inconsistent with the granted visa may result in sanctions.”

Balinese tourist visas, which are the most commonly attained by Australian travellers, strictly prohibit the applicant from engaging in any work during their stay.

Individuals found breaching the no working clause of their visas could face a range of sanctions, including heavy fines, immediate deportation, and a potential travel ban.

Local news outlets have reported Balinese immigration officers are actively reviewing social media content to identify foreign nationals like influencers who appear to be illegally working while on a tourist visa.

The team, known as the Dharma Dewata Task Force, consists of hundreds of immigration officers who have been ordered to look for immigration violations from tourists across the island.

Indonesia’s Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, told local media that the task force would be especially focused on popular resort regions like Canggu and Uluwatu.

“This is a concrete step to maintain stability and security in Bali as Indonesia’s leading tourist destination,” he said.

“We will continue to intensify surveillance operations, both through routine checks at the regional level and nationally, to maintain security stability and increase public trust in Immigration.”

The crackdown will not be the first time an influencer has been removed from the Indonesian province for creating content on the island.

Notable adult star Bonnie Blue was deported and banned from Bali back in December after her content creation was found to have breached her visa conditions.

“(Blue and her team) have misused the visa they have to make content in Bali,” then-immigration chief Hery Winarko told international media at the time.

“They will be blacklisted from entering Indonesia for at least 10 years — that could be extended.”

Influencers wanting to create content during their stay in Bali have been urged to visit the eVisa website to determine the correct visa needed.