In 2026, Indonesian immigration authorities have taken a noticeably tougher approach to visa violations. While many foreigners previously saw deportation as the most serious consequence, immigration officials now openly warn that some cases may lead to criminal prosecution.
This is particularly relevant in Bali, where foreigners are regularly found working on tourist visas, overstaying their permitted period or holding documents that do not match their actual activities.
In the first half of 2026, 531 immigration violations were recorded on the island, 189 people were deported, and 168 were banned from re-entering Indonesia.
We explain where the line lies between a routine visa mistake and a violation with much more serious consequences.
A valid visa does not necessarily mean everything is legal
Every Indonesian visa is issued for a specific purpose: tourism, business travel, work, investment, study or living with family. This purpose determines what a foreigner is permitted to do in the country.
What matters is therefore not only whether the visa is valid, but also whether the person’s actual activities comply with its conditions. If someone enters as a tourist and then starts working or running a business, a formally valid visa does not protect them from liability.
For the same reason, you should choose a visa category based on your actual plans. If those plans change after arrival, you may need to change your immigration status.
Working on a tourist visa
VOA / B1 and other tourist visa categories are not intended for work. Immigration authorities also take a broader view than simply whether someone receives a salary.
One notable example involved a foreign makeup artist who provided free makeup services to a model for a social media post. Despite the lack of payment, the authorities considered the activity commercial because the specialist received publicity and material for their portfolio.
Similar issues arise with photo and video shoots, advertising integrations, collaborations and volunteer projects. If an activity helps promote services or provides another commercial benefit, the absence of a monetary payment does not in itself make it permitted.
Social media has also become a source of information for immigration authorities. In July 2026, a US citizen was summoned for an inspection after posting a video on Facebook offering land for sale. His intermediary activities did not comply with his visa category.
It is therefore best to check whether potentially questionable types of work are permitted before starting them, especially if the results will be published publicly.
A KITAS has its own restrictions
A work KITAS does not give its holder the right to engage in any type of activity. It is issued for a specific company and position. An investor KITAS, meanwhile, is tied to the foreigner’s involvement in their own company and is not a general work permit.
There are also risks when documents are arranged through intermediaries. In July 2026, eight Pakistani citizens and two Iraqi citizens were detained after allegedly obtaining investor visas using forged documents, according to immigration authorities. They face up to five years in prison in connection with the case.
When applying for a KITAS, it is therefore important to check not only the final visa but also the grounds, documents and information submitted on the applicant’s behalf.
Overstay: 1 million rupiah per day
Overstaying the permitted period by less than 60 days carries a fine of 1 million rupiah for each day.
After 60 days, the consequences become more serious: the foreigner may be deported and banned from re-entering Indonesia. Deportation may also be imposed if the accrued fine is not paid.
The date that matters is the expiry date of the permitted stay. If this deadline has already passed, you should not delay contacting immigration, as the amount increases daily.
Deportation may be only the beginning
After being forcibly removed, a foreigner may be banned from returning to Indonesia — penangkalan. The ban is initially imposed for up to six months but may be extended. In cases involving security and public order, the restrictions may remain in place for considerably longer.
The costs associated with deportation may be charged to the foreigner, their guarantor or their family.
This is why visa problems should be resolved before the case reaches the point of removal: after deportation, returning to Indonesia depends on the authorities’ decision.
Serious violations may lead to criminal charges
The main change in 2026 is not the introduction of new visa rules, but the way existing rules are enforced. Immigration officials have explicitly stated that violators should not expect deportation to be the only consequence. In serious cases, the authorities intend to bring criminal charges.
The law provides for up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 500 million rupiah for intentionally using a stay permit for a purpose other than the one for which it was issued. This may also include working on a visa that does not permit such activity.
Inspections are also being stepped up. Immigration authorities conduct raids in tourist areas and monitor foreigners’ public activity online. During the first six months of 2026, 136 violators in Bali were placed in immigration detention centres, while 38 had their stay permits revoked.
What to check in advance
Before travelling, you should identify the appropriate visa category. After entering the country, you should monitor the duration and conditions of your permitted stay. When applying through an agency, it is important to know which documents are being submitted on your behalf and the grounds on which you are receiving a visa or KITAS.
Particular care should be taken with remote work, commercial shoots, collaborations, volunteering and other activities that may not look like conventional work but could be treated by immigration authorities as falling outside the permitted purpose of stay.
If you are unsure whether your visa covers your planned activities, or if you need to obtain or extend a stay permit, the team at Legal Indonesia can help you choose the appropriate option and prepare the documents in accordance with Indonesian law.
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