Immigration Spot Checks Carried Out On Tourists In Bali’s Ubud

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Tourists staying in Bali’s Ubud have been subject to spot checks from Immigration Officers and local community organizers.

Immigration teams from the Denpasar Immigration Office conducted spot checks in central Ubud as well as villages around the popular tourism hotspot.

Denpasar Immigration has shared video footage of teams conducting spot checks on tourists and foreigners in the Ubud area. Denpasar Immigration explained, “Denpasar Immigration together with the village authorities inspected the accommodation in Desa Sayan area, Ubud.”

They added, “This activity is a follow-up of the cooperation program between Desa Binaan and Immigration, in an effort to maintain order and surveillance of the movements of foreigners.”

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Denpasar Immigration Office concluded, “The activity aims to strengthen the synergy between Immigration and local village officers in monitoring foreigners in the area, as well as to show [foreigners] that Immigration is constantly monitoring their every move.” 

Spot checks on tourists have been carried out in central Ubud previously, and this time around, teams focus efforts on the Sayan area. This village sits just outside of central Ubud and is home to many long-stay rental villas rented by digital nomads, retirees, and expat families.

Over the last few years, Sayan, along with neighboring village Penestanan, has seen a huge surge in the number of long-stay foreign tourists and, in turn, tourism development in the form of new accommodation and cafes. 

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The Head of Sayan Village explains, “Immigration has arrived. Following up on the program that we have launched for cooperation between the assisted villages of Sayan Village in particular, we have to monitor all guest movements, both incoming and outgoing, as directed by the investment party. We really appreciate this because this is a form of immigration day itself, where immigration is committed to maintaining order.”

Together, Immigration Officers, guided by Sayan Village leaders, conducted spot checks on tourists both at their accommodation and on the street. Tourists are expected to be able to present their passport and visa, or residency permit, to immigration officials upon their request. It is a legal requirement for all tourists in Indonesia to have their passports with them at all times.

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Tourists in Bali can expect to see more Immigration officers out on patrol in top resort areas and around popular attractions. Most officers wear all black and wear a body vest with ‘Immigration’ written across the chest. Some more senior officers wore a formal shirt and suit trousers.

Officers are out on patrol across top tourism destinations like Nusa Dua, Seminyak, Legian, and Canggu, as well as Sanur, Ubud, and the Nusa Islands, as part of a province-wide mission to crack down on immigration violations. 

In August 2025, Indonesian Minister for Immigration Agus Andrianto announced that he would be deploying the Bali Regional Immigration Patrol Task Force, known as Satgas, to help tackle the rising number of immigration violations being uncovered in Bali.

This dedicated unit of 100 officers is now conducting patrols around Bali’s most popular and densely populated tourist resort areas. 

Dozens of patrols have already taken place and will continue to be carried out for the rest of 2025 and beyond. One of the most popular questions raised by tourists is whether or not it is a legal requirement to carry your passport at all times.

Ngurah Rai Immigration Office recently confirmed, “Under Law Number 6 of 2011 on Immigration, Article 71 states that every foreign national must present and surrender their passport or residence permit when requested by an immigration officer for immigration control. We always advise carrying these ID documents. However, in some cases, we may use discretion and accept copies instead.” 

It is advisable to always carry your passport with you, and if heading out on activities or day trips where essential travel documents are at risk of getting damaged, for example, diving trips or ATV adventures, ensure to bring a copy if you decide to leave your passport in a safe at your accommodation.