"Advertising or Sponsorship? Caught Means 10-Year Ban"… This Destination Cracks Down Hard on Money-Making Influencers

Full Ban on Commercial Activities Using Tourist Visas
Receiving Free Accommodation or Services Also Subject to Crackdown
Social Media Monitoring... Content Posted After Departure Also Checked

Bali, Indonesia's premier resort destination, has launched a major crackdown on content creators who enter the country on tourist visas and engage in profit-making activities.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

According to reports from Australian media outlet Nine.com and other foreign press on July 6 (local time), Indonesian authorities have implemented new visa regulations that restrict commercial activities by content creators and influencers entering the country on tourist visas.

Under the regulations, foreigners who enter Indonesia on a tourist visa are prohibited from producing and uploading content for commercial purposes, such as promoting products or services, online. Even if no cash is exchanged, receiving free goods or services—such as hotel vouchers—in return for posting content is still considered a violation of the rules.

The authorities also stated that claiming the content was not monetized does not exempt violators from penalties. The immigration office explained via social media, "It's not just about whether money was received," adding, "We make a comprehensive judgment based on the foreigner's purpose of stay, type of activity, and the economic value of the activity."

Posting content after leaving Bali is not an exception. If the actual filming and sponsorship occurred during the period of stay under the tourist visa, the individual can still be subject to enforcement.

Tourists are enjoying their relaxation on a beach in Bali, Indonesia. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Patrol Teams and SNS Monitoring... 165 Deported, 62 Detained

Since April, Indonesian authorities have been operating an immigration patrol unit called 'Dharma Dewata' to step up surveillance in Bali's main commercial districts. The patrol teams focus on areas popular with foreign tourists, such as Canggu and Ubud, checking for visa violations and actively monitoring posts on social networking services (SNS).

Anyone caught engaging in illegal commercial activities on a tourist visa faces severe penalties, including fines, forced deportation, and a minimum 10-year ban on re-entry. According to the immigration office, from January 1 to April 12 this year, 165 foreigners were deported and 62 were detained.

Hendarsam Marantoko, Director General of Indonesian Immigration, stated, "This crackdown is extremely important to maintaining Bali as Indonesia's top tourist destination," and pledged to continue enforcement efforts in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.