In a significant coverage change aimed toward selling accountable tourism and defending native pursuits, the Indonesian authorities has introduced that from 2026 onwards, all overseas vacationers coming into Bali can be required to offer at the least three months of latest financial institution statements upon arrival.
The brand new requirement will take impact from March 1, 2026is a part of a broader set of immigration reforms aimed toward addressing rising considerations about “price range vacationers” overstaying their visas, participating in unregulated enterprise actions or in any other case violating the phrases of their keep.
A step in direction of sustainable tourism
Officers from Bali’s Immigration Division and the Ministry of Tourism have emphasised that the coverage isn’t meant to discourage tourism, however to encourage extra sustainable and respectful journey.
“This coverage goals to make sure that guests have the monetary means to help themselves throughout their keep in Bali, and to stop circumstances the place foreigners work illegally or depend on native assets,” stated Gusti Made Andika, spokesperson for Bali’s provincial authorities.
In keeping with authorities sources, monetary documentation should reveal that there are ample assets to help a vacationer’s keep with out participating in income-generating actions. Whereas no certain quantity has been introduced but, authorities have hinted at one minimal month-to-month stability thresholdwhich can be formally introduced within the coming weeks.
Growing considerations in regards to the impression of tourism
The choice follows a sequence of high-profile incidents involving foreigners overstaying their visas, tenting illegally or participating in road buying and selling and freelance work with out correct permits.
In 2025 alone, Bali authorities deported greater than 340 foreigners for violating immigration legal guidelines or disrupting public order. The incidents, which obtained common consideration on social media, sparked widespread debate in regards to the challenges of mass tourism and the stability between financial profit and cultural preservation.
‘We welcome vacationers, however they need to respect our legal guidelines, tradition and society’ stated Tjok Bagus Pemayun, head of Bali’s tourism board. “This transfer isn’t about turning away guests. It’s about preserving Bali for future generations and making certain tourism advantages our native communities.”
New entry necessities intimately
The revised entry coverage consists of the next necessities for all overseas guests:
- Three months of latest financial institution statementsprinted or digitally accessible
- Proof of return or onward journey
- Lodge or lodging bookings
- Journey insurance coverage that covers the period of the keep
Indonesian immigration authorities have said that vacationers who don’t present ample documentation could also be denied entry on the border.
The federal government is anticipated to launch an initiative on-line portal in mid-February 2026, in order that vacationers can achieve this submit monetary documentation prematurely and keep away from delays upon arrival.
Reactions from the tourism sector and vacationers
The coverage has obtained blended reactions from Bali’s tourism trade. Whereas some hospitality and tourism corporations welcome the transfer and see it as a crucial step to draw larger high quality tourism, others concern it might discourage budget-conscious vacationers and backpackers, who’ve traditionally contributed to the island’s reputation.
“Bali has all the time been a vacation spot for everybody – from luxurious seekers to digital nomads to surfers touring on a price range,” stated Kadek Wirawan, supervisor of an area guesthouse in Ubud. “If the monetary bar is about too excessive, we might see fewer guests in some market segments.”
Vacationers and journey influencers have additionally taken to social media to specific their considerations and confusion in regards to the modifications.
“This seems like a barrier to spontaneous journey,” an Australian vacationer posted on X (previously Twitter). “Not everybody needs to provide out private monetary data simply to go on trip.”
Authorities response to criticism
In response to those considerations, officers have clarified that every one monetary data submitted will stay confidential and can be used solely for immigration verification functions. The Ministry of Legislation and Human Rights has said that information safety laws can be strictly enforced and no delicate monetary information can be saved with out specific consent.
The authorities are additionally fascinated with it layered monetary necessities primarily based on size of keep and visa sort, which may present extra flexibility for short-term vacationers.
Alignment with international tendencies
The transfer brings Bali consistent with different worldwide locations which have adopted comparable monetary screening practices. International locations akin to Canada, the UK and Japan already require proof of monetary means for sure kinds of vacationer visas. Bali’s coverage might sign a regional shift in direction of extra regulated and accountable tourism practicesparticularly in fashionable locations that endure from overtourism.
What vacationers ought to do now
Because the implementation date approaches, potential guests to Bali are suggested to:
- Keep tuned for official bulletins of the Indonesian Directorate Normal of Immigration
- Present legitimate financial institution statements demonstrating constant monetary exercise
- E book lodging and journey again prematurely
- Protected journey insurance coverage with protection for medical prices and journey delays
- Seek the advice of journey companies or embassies for present data
Journey companies in Southeast Asia and Australia have already began adjusting their packages and advising clients to organize documentation prematurely to keep away from disruptions.
Wanting forward
As Bali tries to recuperate from the long-term results of the pandemic and handle its tourism future extra sustainably, the brand new coverage marks a turning level. Whereas this may increasingly initially trigger hurdles for some vacationers, native authorities stay assured it will result in an issue a extra respectful, law-abiding and economically balanced tourism sector.
“We love guests from everywhere in the world, however they should be accountable,” stated Governor Wayan Koster. “This coverage is about defending the soul of Bali – its folks, its land and its future.”