The Indonesia Guide

Bali Visa Warning: Working on a Tourist Visa Risks Deportation, Australia Cautions

· 2 min read Travel News
Bali rice terraces and traditional temple against tropical skyline

Contents

  1. What Is Not Allowed on a Tourist Visa
  2. Why This Matters for Travellers in 2026
  3. The Legal Route

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued updated guidance making clear that a range of common working activities are not permitted under a Bali tourist visa — and that visitors who breach these conditions risk deportation and future entry bans.

What Is Not Allowed on a Tourist Visa

The guidance specifically names the following as violations of tourist visa terms:

  • Paid content creation — photography, videography, or any content produced in exchange for payment, even if the payment comes from an overseas client or brand
  • Monetised social media activity — running sponsored posts, affiliate promotions, or any social content that generates income while physically present in Indonesia
  • Commercial photography or filming — producing commercial content for brands, agencies, or any third party
  • Providing services to Indonesian businesses — consultancy, teaching, or any form of professional service delivery to locally registered entities

The key factor is not where the client or employer is based, but whether you are performing work while physically present in Indonesia on a tourist visa. Remote work for a foreign employer is also covered by this restriction.

Why This Matters for Travellers in 2026

Bali has become one of the world’s most popular bases for content creators and remote workers. Indonesian immigration authorities have increased enforcement in recent years, and deportations of foreign nationals working on tourist visas have been widely reported. Several high-profile cases involving social media influencers have resulted in immediate deportation and five-year re-entry bans.

Australian authorities issued the reminder following enquiries from nationals who had been detained or deported. The guidance is consistent with Indonesian law that has been in place for some time but is now more actively enforced.

Indonesia offers a Digital Nomad Visa (officially the Second Home Visa or the B211A Social-Cultural Visit Visa with remote work endorsement depending on the arrangement) that permits certain types of remote work and content creation. Requirements include proof of income, health insurance, and a minimum financial threshold. The application must be submitted before arrival; it cannot be converted from a tourist visa once you are in the country.

If you are a content creator, freelancer, or remote worker planning to spend time in Bali, do not rely on a tourist visa. For full visa information and application routes, see our Indonesia visa guide. For what to see and do when you get there, our Bali guide covers the essentials.