Huge warning for Bali tourists who do this

If you plan on doing this while in Bali, think again. Authorities have cracked down on foreigners who are in breach of the specific act.

Foreigners in Bali who are found to be in breach of immigration laws or have overstayed their visas could be sentenced to life behind bars as major changes come into effect.

Indonesia’s Department of Immigration has doubled down on its zero-tolerance approach to unruly tourists, particularly those who break the law.

Crimes that were previously punishable with sentences from six months to one year in prison are increasing to carry jail-time of up to 20 years, according to The Bali Sun.

Indonesian officials have cracked down on foreigners overstaying their welcome.

If you’re court breaching your visa, you could face life behind bars.

There will also be an increase in immigration checkpoint officers, patrol officers and investigators, as well as more mobile taskforces.

“Indonesia is a country that upholds the tourism sector, but comfort must be accompanied by order. We want foreign nationals who come to Indonesia to understand and follow the rules and norms that apply in this country,” Director General of Immigration Law and Human Rights Silmy Karim said, according to local newspaper Nusa Bali.

“We also try to ensure that those who come are quality tourists, through strengthening intelligence co-operation and information exchange with other countries.”

The rules won’t affect tourists who apply for temporary visas on arrival and either leave within the mandated 30-day period or lawfully extend their visa and then leave within 60 days.

It comes as the government cracks down on foreigners overstaying their welcome with Bali deporting more than 400 people this year alone for violating a range of immigration laws.

In 2023, a dozen Australians were among more than 200 foreigners kicked out of Bali.

In 2023, a dozen Australians were among more than 200 foreigners kicked out of Bali with

the head of Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Anggiat Napitupulu, drawing particular attention to foreigners abusing the visa system by doing illegal business or working in Bali.

Many were found to be abusing the visa system.

If foreigners have sufficient funds to pay for their own flight home, they are encouraged to book a flight as soon as possible.

But, in many cases, they don’t have enough money and are held in the custody of immigration officials at the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center until consular or financial support can be secured.

Last month, two Russian women were deported from Bali’s main airport – I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport – after the pair had been found to be operating illegal business activities in Seminyak.

Following a police raid, the duo were found to be engaging in sex work and operating ‘spa’ services, the publication reported.

The tourist hotspot last year established a hotline for anyone to dob in misbehaving tourists.

It follows the establishment of a special task force to monitor foreigners’ activities (Bali Becik), introducing a tourist tax, and releasing a tourist dos and don’ts list.