Bali Immigration’s new Dharma Dewata Task Force may have existed for only a couple of weeks, but the team has already successfully caught more than 60 foreign nationals breaking the law.
The Bali Dharma Dewata Task Force is conducting surveillance, patrols, and follow-ups to tips-offs to crack down on foreigners breaking the conditions of their visas and violating Indonesian law.
The Bali Dharma Dewata Immigration Task Force has been out on patrol for just 21 days and has already caught 62 foreign nationals breaking the law. The majority of these 62 individuals have been caught out on immigration laws, though some criminal cases have been found too.
The Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General (Kakanwil Ditjen) of Immigration, Felucia Sengky Ratna, revealed to reporters that these intensive patrols target vulnerable points within the catchment areas of the Ngurah Rai, Denpasar, and Singaraja Immigration Offices. She explained, “This effort is a form of protection for the tourism industry in Bali Province. This oversight is carried out comprehensively to maintain security stability.”
During a press conference held on 5th May 2026, Ratna explained how the Dharma Dewata Patrols demonstrates Bali Immigration’s commitment to safeguarding the local economy while creating a healthy investment climate and promoting high-quality tourism.
She stated that foreign nationals working illegally must be dealt with firmly to prevent harm to the local workforce.
Ratna explained that the focus of the patrols covers a range of potential violations from all kinda of foreigners in Bali, including tourists, business travellers, investors, and retirees.
Violations officers are looking out for include overstaying or staying beyond the permitted period, using false data to obtain visas, and misusing residence permits for illegal activities. Illegal activities include working without a permit, involvement in fictitious investments, and culturally and socially disruptive and disrespectful behaviour.
Ratna shared that all officers have been instructed to work professionally and considerately while in the field, while taking a zero-tolerance approach, noting “We fully support the Directorate General of Immigration’s policy of enforcing the law against foreign nationals who violate the rules.”
She also called on the public to continue to support the Bali Dharma Dewata Immigration Task Force’s efforts in keeping the province safe. Ratna called on the public, including concerned tourists and international residents, to immediately report any suspicious activity through official complaint channels.
She shared, “Public participation is crucial to maintaining security and public safety in Bali. I order all levels to act decisively and without compromise. We will welcome qualified foreign tourists and investors, but for those who disregard Indonesian law, there are only two choices: comply with our regulations or immediately leave Indonesia.”
The press conference was also attended by Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement, Yuldi Yusman, who shared, “We continue to strengthen our oversight and enforcement functions to detect potential violations as early as possible. This enforcement action is clear evidence that the Directorate of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement will not allow foreign nationals who violate the law and disrupt public order.”
Of the more than 7.5 million international tourists who are set to visit Bali this year, the vast majority will only need to encounter Immigration Officers upon arrival and departure, and may be for a visa extension appointment. The most common visa violation detected by Bali Immigration is overstay, followed by breaking the conditions of the visa, e.g., working on a tourist visa, or operating a business on an investment visa.
The Official Indonesia Immigration website is available in English and offers comprehensive support for foreigners seeking to visit, move to, work in, or invest in Indonesia. Foreigners can easily determine which visa is the most appropriate for them by answering the questions on the website through the ‘Apply’ section, which narrows down all available options.
Tourists in Bali are reminded that it is a legal requirement to carry formal ID, ideally a passport, on them at all times in the event of a spot check from the authorities during patrols. In some cases, a different form of ID will be accepted, or a copy of a passport will be permitted, but tourists may be required to produce the passport in person at an immigration office on request.
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