Bali, a popular destination for tourists and foreign residents alike, is experiencing changes in its immigration landscape. The rising number of foreign nationals on the island has prompted the Indonesian government to step up enforcement of visa and business regulations. With more visitors and residents in 2023-2024, officials are implementing stricter measures to address issues such as visa overstays, unauthorized work, and non-compliance with legal requirements.
What’s Happening?
A large-scale inspection is underway in Bali, focusing not only on foreign workers but also on businesses across a variety of sectors. Government agencies are conducting thorough checks to ensure compliance with immigration, business, and labor regulations. Industries ranging from hospitality to education and construction are being scrutinized to verify licenses, work permits, and visa usage.
For example, officials are checking building permits (Persetujuan Bangunan Gedung or PBG), reviewing the status of company directors, and confirming that employees hold the correct work permits (KITAS). Events are also under close watch, with authorities ensuring that performers are using appropriate visas for their activities.
Why Are These Inspections Happening?
With the increasing number of tourists and residents, there has also been a rise in visa violations, such as individuals working without proper permits or overstaying their visas. The inspections aim to crack down on these issues, safeguard legitimate businesses, and maintain Bali’s immigration system’s integrity.
Recent cases highlight various violations, including illegal employment, failure to report changes in residential addresses, and setting up fraudulent companies.
Noteworthy Immigration Cases in Bali
- Canadian Consultant Deported for Fake Business: A 53-year-old Canadian was deported after setting up a fictitious company to obtain an investor KITAS. Authorities discovered the company did not exist at the registered address, and the individual had failed to update their residence with immigration officials.
- Foreign Nationals Deported for Pornography Involvement: Several individuals holding investor KITAS were deported for participating in illegal activities related to the production of pornography.
- Spaniard Refused Entry Over Unpaid Debts: A Spanish national was denied entry after failing to settle accommodation and restaurant bills during previous visits. The individual was flagged by multiple businesses for unpaid services.
Who’s Being Targeted?
The current sweep targets a broad range of groups, from foreign workers and tourists to businesses. By doing so, authorities hope to deter illegal activities and reinforce the need for compliance with local laws.
Targeted Groups:
- Foreign Workers: Individuals working in Bali without proper permits or those whose roles don’t match the terms of their work permits.
- Tourists: Visitors engaging in activities that violate their visa terms, such as working without the correct visa or overstaying.
- Businesses: Companies across sectors, including hotels, restaurants, and construction firms, are under scrutiny to ensure they hold valid licenses and are following immigration laws.
Areas of Focus:
- Visa and KITAS Compliance: Verifying that foreigners are using the appropriate visa for their activities, and ensuring that personal details such as residential addresses are up-to-date.
- Employment and Permits: Reviewing work permits and employment contracts to confirm they align with Indonesian labor laws and that foreign workers are being paid legally required wages.
- Business Licenses: Checking the validity of business licenses and permits in various sectors, such as alcohol licenses for bars or educational permits for schools.
- Other Compliance Areas: Construction permits, water licenses, and more are being examined to ensure all activities are within legal bounds.
What Should You Do?
If you are a foreign worker or business owner in Bali, it’s crucial to review your documentation and make sure everything is in order. Failing to comply with visa regulations, work permits, or business licenses could result in fines, deportation, or even business closures.
Seek professional advice if you’re unsure about the status of your visa, permits, or licenses. Regulations can change, so staying informed is key to avoiding penalties.
Our team specializes in immigration and business compliance and is ready to assist you during these inspections.
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