Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – Ngurah Rai Immigration officers in Bali have been cracking down on hundreds of foreigners who misused their residence permits throughout 2026. By the end of October, around 256 foreigners have been punished for abusing their stay permits to engage in various illegal businesses.

The Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Muhammad Novyandri, said some of these businesses include property dealings and villa rentals that lacked permits, paid activities without permits, and the misuse of their profession as tour guides.

"Some were also involved in scams, illegal online loans, and prostitution," Novyandri said in a written statement to Tempo on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Economic needs are generally behind the foreigners' actions. The common modus operandi is the utilization of residence permits that do not match the actual practices on the ground. Foreign nationals usually market their various businesses through social media.

Immigration officers also discovered the establishment of Foreign Investment Limited Liability Companies (PTPMA) that failed to provide required documents or gave false information.

The Immigration Office, which operates in Badung Regency and southern Bali, penalized 256 foreign nationals from 51 countries throughout 2026. The majority are from Russia and Nigeria, each with 25 individuals, followed by Malaysia with 14, and France with 14.

Meanwhile, Bali Governor Wayan Koster extended appreciation for the authorities for addressing violations involving foreign nationals. "Supervision and law enforcement are essential parts of the efforts to maintain security, order, and the image of Bali as a quality and dignified cultural tourism destination," he stated in his remarks.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2122772/scams-and-illegal-rentals-how-foreigners-abuse-stay-permits-in-bal