A French yoga and freediving coach was deported from Bali for working without a permit. The 43-year-old athlete had to leave the island after local immigration authorities took notice of his social media. He posted announcements of his breathing workshops and collected donations for studio rent. However, the visa he entered Indonesia with was solely for tourist purposes and did not allow him to work.
The coach from France was detained in Karangasem during the "Wira Waspada" raid, which took place on July 15–16, 2025. Officers took him to the Singaraja immigration office, where his actions were classified as a violation of Law No. 6 of 2011 on migration, specifically articles 75 and 122, which provide for deportation for visa abuse.
On Friday, July 18, the French citizen was deported. The man may now be blacklisted and banned from entering Indonesia indefinitely. This was reported by the acting head of the Singaraja immigration service, Anak Agung Gde Kusuma Putra.
During the same operation, officers managed to detain three more foreigners — they are Chinese citizens who are currently under investigation.
This once again proves that Bali authorities continue to actively fight against visa violators. This not only concerns those who work illegally but also those who forget about renewals. Earlier this month, for example, a 75-year-old German citizen was deported for overstaying by 72 days. He was expelled via transit in Bangkok, from where he flew to Munich. The man is now banned from re-entering Indonesia.
Immigration urges island residents to report any suspicious foreigners. A special hotline is available for this purpose.
Authorities are particularly focused on the regions of Buleleng, Jembrana, and Karangasem. According to statistics, tourists violating visa rules most frequently reside in these areas.
As of May 29, 2025, a new hybrid renewal system for residence permits has come into effect in Indonesia. Now, to extend a visa, a tourist must apply online and then personally visit the nearest immigration office for an in-person document check and photo. This applies to all types of visas.
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