DENPASAR (BaliCEB) — The Indonesian Government is strengthening oversight of foreign nationals (WNA) in Bali as part of efforts to safeguard national sovereignty while ensuring that Bali remains a safe, secure, orderly and welcoming destination for tourism and business events.
Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, Hendarsam Marantoko, said that monitoring the presence and activities of foreign nationals in Bali is being carried out routinely and continuously, particularly in areas that attract high numbers of international visitors.
These efforts have been reinforced through the Dharma Dewata Patrol Task Force, established on 15 April 2026. The task force is responsible for strengthening immigration oversight and carrying out early detection of potential immigration violations across Bali.
“Immigration routinely and continuously conducts monitoring and law enforcement operations in key destinations across the Island of the Gods as a strategic measure to safeguard national sovereignty and create a safe and conducive tourism environment,” Hendarsam said, as quoted by ANTARA and reported by Bali Post on 29 August 2026.
“A safe and well-managed destination is an important factor in building the confidence of international travellers, conference organisers, companies, associations and MICE professionals when choosing Bali as the location for their events.”
Integrated Immigration Oversight
The Dharma Dewata Patrol is carried out in coordination with the Foreign Nationals Monitoring Team (Timpora) and relevant law enforcement agencies. The monitoring system is also supported by the Foreign Nationals Reporting Application (APOA), which helps improve the accuracy of information on foreign nationals in Bali while encouraging accommodation providers to fulfil their reporting obligations.
The approach combines professional, transparent and humane oversight with firm action against violations. The focus includes breaches of immigration regulations, public order offences and potential transnational crimes.
Patrol Operation in Canggu
On Thursday evening, 27 August 2026, Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko personally monitored the Dharma Dewata Patrol operation in Canggu, Bali.
During the operation, officers detained five foreign nationals suspected of having overstayed their immigration permits. One additional foreign national holding a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) was also taken into custody for further examination.
All six individuals were subsequently taken to Ngurah Rai Immigration Office for further investigation in accordance with applicable regulations.
Multi-Agency Enforcement
Since its establishment, the Dharma Dewata Task Force has conducted a number of monitoring operations involving multiple government and security agencies.
During Patrol Operation Period I, from 17–30 July 2026, a total of 104 immigration officers from regional offices, immigration offices and the Immigration Detention Centre (Rudenim) participated in the operation.
The operation was supported by the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Indonesian National Police (Polri), Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and Pecalang, Bali’s traditional community security personnel. Operational support included 20 patrol vehicles, comprising 10 four-wheel-drive vehicles and 10 motorcycles.
Monitoring was conducted in a number of major tourism areas, including Canggu, Ubud, Singaraja, Tabanan and Nusa Penida.
During the operation, officers identified 62 foreign nationals involved in suspected immigration violations and conducted APOA awareness sessions for 50 accommodation operators.
A second operation, Dharma Dewata Patrol Period II, conducted from 15 July to 16 August 2026, resulted in action against 66 foreign nationals.
The violations recorded included 22 cases involving public order issues or failure to report, 20 cases involving misuse of immigration permits and 17 cases of overstaying. Several travel-document violations and breaches of Indonesia’s immigration law were also identified.
Law Enforcement and Bali’s International Reputation
Foreign nationals found to have breached immigration regulations are subject to appropriate action based on the nature and severity of the violation and applicable Indonesian law. Measures may include further examination, placement in an immigration detention centre, deportation, payment of fines and nationality-related administrative procedures.
Bali’s immigration authorities have also taken action in several cases that attracted public attention, including the deportation of the operator of the “The Bali Dream” digital travel agency platform, enforcement action involving breaches of public norms and order, and action against activities involving foreign nationals that were conducted without the required permits.
Chairman of the Bali Convention & Exhibition Bureau (BaliCEB), Dr Ketut Jaman, said during an interview at his office on Friday, 28 August, that safety and public order are essential to maintaining international confidence in Bali.
“A safe and well-managed destination is an important factor in building the confidence of international travellers, conference organisers, companies, associations and MICE professionals when choosing Bali as the location for their events,” said Dr Ketut Jaman.
He emphasised that security, public order, service quality and regulatory certainty are important elements in strengthening Bali’s competitiveness as a world-class tourism and business events destination.
BaliCEB considers professional, proportionate and humane immigration oversight and law enforcement an important part of maintaining a balance between welcoming international visitors and business travellers and protecting public order and national sovereignty.
A safe, orderly and well-regulated environment will further strengthen Bali’s position as a preferred destination for international travellers, corporations, associations, conference organisers and MICE professionals from around the world.
(BaliCEB Media Team)