New Regulations for Influencers in Bali: What You Need to Know

Bali: A Photogenic Paradise Facing New Regulations

Bali, the island renowned for its stunning waterfalls, picturesque rice terraces, and popular influencer hotspots like Ubud and Canggu, is undergoing significant changes in tourism management. Recently, the Balinese government established a task force to monitor foreign content creators working on tourist visas. Violators could face penalties ranging from fines and deportation to permanent bans from entering the country.

New Rules for Influencers

The Dharma Dewata task force, comprising around 100 personnel, will conduct regular inspections in areas with high influencer activity or where visa violations have occurred. They are even monitoring social media in real-time to detect potential infractions.

Since the start of 2026, 165 foreigners have been deported, and 62 have been detained for various reasons, ranging from unlicensed professional makeup work to overstaying visas. The focus on regulating influencer activities has raised concerns among many travelers, especially those with large followings.

Who is at Risk of Being Targeted?

If you are a traveler who doesn’t get paid for your posts, you might feel safe. This task force focuses on commercial behavior, not popular accounts. Beautiful photos of waterfalls or sunrises are unlikely to be seen as violations. However, you cross the line when financial transactions are involved.

Activities requiring a work permit include brand collaborations, sponsored posts, photography for brands, or exchange agreements, such as receiving free accommodation in return for social media posts about the place.

Be Aware of Legal Challenges

If you are an influencer who has posted a lot of content, you need to be cautious. The Balinese government has stated that if a business benefits from your post and you receive any perks (like a free meal), it is considered work, even if you don’t get paid.

Note that even content creators not earning money from Instagram should ensure they do not receive any benefits before posting photos or tagging businesses that could be construed as a collaboration.

Visa for Remote Workers in Bali

If you plan to work legitimately in Bali, such as through brand collaborations or sponsored photo shoots, you need to apply for the E33G visa for remote workers. This visa allows you to work remotely for clients or employers outside Indonesia for one year with multiple entries.

To qualify for this visa, you need an annual income of at least $60,000 from foreign sources and a minimum bank balance of $2,000. The application fee is around 7 million IDR (approximately $430). This visa is mainly designed for contract remote workers, not regular content creators.

Areas Under Strict Surveillance

The task force patrols focus on areas with a high concentration of foreigners, such as Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, Kerobokan, and Uluwatu. Public posts from these areas could serve as evidence, so ensure that your content is completely organic and that you receive no benefits. This is especially important if you’ve had previous brand collaborations before coming to Bali.

Why Was the Task Force Created?

The establishment of this task force is not solely due to one reason. There have been several high-profile cases involving foreigners in Bali that have raised concerns within the local community. These incidents have prompted the authorities to call for stricter tourism and entry regulations.

Bali is moving towards a more sustainable and quality-focused tourism future, rather than simply increasing tourist numbers. Governor Wayan Koster has emphasized the importance of identifying which foreign tourists are allowed to enter the island, hoping they will positively contribute to the tourism sector without causing issues for the community.

Therefore, if you are an influencer planning a trip to Bali, make sure to understand the regulations and prepare for a safe and enjoyable journey!

Article referenced and edited from: Matador Network