How many foreigners work in Bali legally? A new report by Badung’s Department of Labour has produced a surprising figure. Across the regency’s main resort areas, there are 163 legal foreign employees. These are figures as of the end of December 2025. The number includes workers in Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak and Uluwatu. For a region with millions of tourists, local authorities say this looks suspicious.
The statistics are based on permit renewal data. Most official offices are located in South Badung. North Kuta leads the list, with 60 people working there. Central and South Kuta each have 48 specialists registered. The lowest figure is in Mengwi, with just 7 people. The head of employment at the local Department of Labour, Ni Luh Putu Widiantari (Ni Luh Putu Widiantari), confirmed these numbers.
Who are these people by profession? The records list only strategic roles. Foreigners are officially employed as directors and managers. They also work as head chefs and consultants. The most common role among legal foreign workers is marketing manager. Coaches are also often listed.
Officials openly acknowledge a huge “grey” area. The real number of foreigners working is many times higher than the official figures. For this reason, the Department of Labour plans to tighten controls in the near future. Inspectors will visit company offices and check the documents of every foreign employee on site.
Local communities will also be involved in checks, as people on the ground can react to violations faster. The authorities consider this the most effective way to monitor compliance. In effect, residents are being directly encouraged to report to the local administration or the Department of Labour any foreigners who do not look like tourists on holiday.
Property owners will also become part of the monitoring system. Widiantari suggested making landlords the first “filter”. Landowners should check the documents of foreign tenants. They are advised to ensure the tenant is staying on the island legally. This is intended to screen out violators at the move-in stage. It will make life harder for those working without the right visas.
Legal status requires strict compliance. First, the employer arranges an RPTKA — the official permit to hire foreign specialists. Then the employee obtains an ITAS work residence permit (or, as many know it, KITAS). All details must be entered into the state TKA Online system. For each such specialist, companies pay specific taxes and fees into the budget. Each permit goes through strict ministerial checks, so the process is never quick.
A key condition for legal employment is having a local counterpart. A foreign specialist must train an Indonesian employee who holds the same position in the company. The authorities call this a mentoring and knowledge-transfer system. The rule applies to all business sectors in the regency.
The risks for violators remain high. In February 2026, a Swiss citizen was deported from the island. Local residents reported him to immigration for running a surf camp on an inappropriate visa. The offender received a five-year ban on entering Indonesia.
The specialists at Legal Indonesia can advise you on obtaining the visa required for your work and help set up your business end to end.
Sources: Nusa Bali, redaksi9.com
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