Bali Investigates Three Australian Nationals For Operating Illegal Tourist Guesthouse 

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Immigration teams in Bali are investigating three Australian nationals who are suspected of abusing their residency permits and visa conditions.

The three foreigners are suspected of illegally operating an accommodation business while residing in Bali on retirement visas. 

In Indonesia, a visa is commonly referred to as a residency permit, even tourist visas upon arrival are referred to as temporary residency permits.

Immigration teams from Bali’s Buleleng Regency are investigating three Australian nationals who are suspected of operating an illegal business while residing in Bali on a retirement Limited Residence Permits (ITAS).

The Limited Residence Permits do not allow foreign nationals to engage in work or business-related activities. 

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The authorities discovered the three individuals during investigations as part of the Bali Becik operation. This ongoing investigation regularly involves raids and spot checks on accommodations and residential areas popular with foreigners on the island.

Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, Hendra Setiawan, revealed that the suspected violations were detected during a series of spot checks carried out in Buleleng, Karangasem, and Jembrana Regency between 19th and 21st May 2025.

Setiawan told reporters, “In this operation, we found three Australian foreigners who were indicated for abuse of residence permits. We are still going further. The indication is that they manage the villa in Karangasem. Even though the residence permit is a senior KITAS”

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He confirmed that the visa category used by the three individuals in question is a retirement KITAS that does not permit income-generating activities such as work, running a business, or even overseeing the operations of a company run by local people.

Setiawan added “When we go into it, it turns out that they manage the villa. Because they’re on a visit visa, means you can’t make money. The age of three is over 60 years old. They should just rest here, not make money.”

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Setiawan revealed that the investigation is still ongoing, but officers have also traced social media posts and uploads made by villa guests who stated that they were hosted by the three foreigners.

He added, “We are still collecting evidence and monitoring their activities. The statement is based on the evidence available from social media and customers on how to promote the villa.”

When asked what next steps and fate may be faced by the foreigners, Setiawan concluded “If there is enough evidence of violation they will definitely be deported.” 

This is not the first time that authorities have apprehended foreigners who have been staying long-term in Bali on socio-cultural, retirement, or tourism visas on suspicion of breaking the conditions of their visas.

Indonesia, and Bali Immigration teams specifically, are on a mission to crack down on foreigners who violate the conditions of their visas and operate illegal businesses in Bali. 

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has announced that he will take a ‘no mercy’ approach to those found to be flouting the rules and though Operation Bali Becik has been out of the headlines for several months, the investigations are very much ongoing behind the scenes.

Foreigners in Bali who are permitted entry on a tourism visa, socio-cultural visa, retirement visa, and even pre-investment visa are reminded that it is illegal to engage in any income-generating activities, including if income is sent to a bank account outside of Indonesia. 

Every foreigner entering Indonesia is responsible for understanding what activities are permitted based on their specific visa category. Leaders in Bali focus on seeking out those working illegally or operating businesses illegally while entering Indonesia on tourism, retirement, pre-investment, and investment visa categories. 

The official Indonesia Immigration website has full information in English on the conditions and stipulations of each visa category and sub-category.