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Good day. This is immigration. Please open the door. These were the words that knocked on the door of my acquaintances—a Russian couple with a child. They live in Amlapura and are serviced by another company. However, they reached out to us for help. This often happens when your agents are not prepared to assist and resolve the situation when immigration officers arrive.
"Igor, they took our passports and said we have serious problems and were summoned for an interview at the immigration office in Singaraja."
“What problems?” I asked.
“We didn’t really understand anything. They said our address doesn’t match the one in the documents.”
Well, I thought, this isn’t too serious. If the address doesn’t match, what kind of problems could that be? They’ll just pay a fine and that’s it. Even though they aren’t my clients, I was curious to figure out why immigration took such drastic measures for what seemed like a minor offense. What real violations did the Indonesian authorities find in my acquaintances’ actions, and how did they even track them down if the address didn’t match?
At that moment, my friends had no information. They were scared and even shocked because they found themselves alone in a foreign country in an unclear situation, not understanding what this could lead to.
In this article, I want to explain:
how immigration catches violators,
what measures are taken against them, and
what you need to do to avoid such an interview.
Let me clarify—this article is NOT WRITTEN TO SCARE YOU. My goal is not to instill fear.
My goal is to ARM YOU WITH KNOWLEDGE, which will allow you to know exactly what to do in case of a check (even a random one) and not fear any consequences.
A lot has already been written about what is happening on the island and how to legally legalize your activities here. Here, I explain in detail how to stay on the island legally – https://bali-legal.com/en/legalizaciya-na-bali-en.
And here – how to legally work and run a business in Bali – https://bali-legal.com/en/business-bali-bez-oshibok-en.
How Can Immigration Track You Down?
Of course, this will concern anyone engaging in ANY activities (even freelancing or online) while in Bali. But even if you have a tourist visa and are simply enjoying the island, read this article, and any check will feel like a light and pleasant formality.
1 - If you engage in illegal activities in Indonesia (especially in Bali), you may be reported by the Indonesians from whom you rent your place of residence/business.
What do I consider illegal activities?
If you engage in illegal activities in Indonesia (especially in Bali), you may be reported by the Indonesians from whom you rent your place of residence/business.
Working in a specialty that tourists are prohibited from doing. You can find the list of allowed specialties here - https://bali-legal.com/en/legalizaciya-na-bali-en.
Having your own small (or even large) business that is not legally registered. Not paying taxes and not keeping records.
Having your own small (or even large) business that is not legally registered. Not paying taxes and not keeping records.
2 - You can also be found through your advertisements for your business or services on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram.
As a business owner (even with a registered business), you cannot do this. For that, you either hire outside personnel (even foreign specialists) or local marketers.
Of course, my recommendation applies only to those who already have a registered business in Indonesia. If you do not have a company in Indonesia and are advertising on your account as a photographer, yoga teacher, marketer, coach, psychologist, astrologer, tarot reader… insert any other profession here – this is a VIOLATION.
You end up in the database of violators and receive a summons for an interview at the immigration office.
3 - You can be reported by any local Indonesian if it visually seems that you are engaged in illegal commercial activities.
For example, if you organize a gathering of 15-20 people. This could even be an innocent hookah smoking session and conversations about your homeland with friends. However, it is not uncommon for immigration officers to arrive at such gatherings and check the purpose of the meeting.
They question everyone present, check your visa information, passport details, and usually leave if no violations are found.
It is clear that if you have someone at the entrance taking money, or if there was advertising for such a gathering/event, even if it's donation-based – this is COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY and is a VIOLATION.
4 - Or even be caught during a random check, just going from house to house. This is what happened to my acquaintances.
Such checks are not rare; in fact, they are increasing. Officers gather in groups of 4-5 and choose a part of the island to patrol for the day.
They knock on doors, introduce themselves, and ask you to provide your passport and current visa.
Here, I should mention that I know several people in Bali who, due to circumstances, have lived here for years with expired visas and even lost passports, and this fate has not yet befallen them. This means that everyone’s cases will be different. But, as they say, forewarned is forearmed.
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General Recommendations for All Residents
You should always be prepared for the possibility of encountering an immigration check, even if it’s completely random. To ensure that this process goes smoothly and pleasantly for you, and since Indonesians are very welcoming and friendly people, just follow these rules:
Check the EXPIRATION DATE OF YOUR VISA in your passport.
This is a sticker (or stamp) in your passport. It must not expire under any circumstances. This is called OVERSTAY. The fine for an expired visa (OVERSTAY) is 1,000,000 IDR per day (approximately 70 USD).
If your overstay exceeds 60 days, you may face deportation. Officers will escort you to jail until your fine is paid, and then deport you from the island to the country of which you are a citizen.
Apply for a 6-month visa remotely for arrival in Bali
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If you plan to stay in Bali and extend your visa, do so at least 10 days before its expiration. This way, you’ll protect yourself from overstaying and show the officers that you respect local laws. Very often, your passport will be with the authorities for the visa extension. Just explain that “my passport is being extended.”
Always carry a photo of your passport and the latest stamp with you (on your mobile phone). During any check, simply show this photo.
If you are asked what you are doing on a tourist visa, –always say that you are just on vacation. Even mentioning a freelance profession could be considered a reason for a fine or further complications. A universal response is, “I’m just living here off my savings from Russia/Belarus/Canada.” You can insert your country as needed.
If you feel something is going wrong, contact your visa agent (if you’re working with us, then reach out to us) for clarification. It’s always better to say “I don't understand” and ask us than to say something that may be difficult to refute later. This is especially true for those who have not followed my recommendations and are quietly conducting business here.
DO NOT ENGAGE IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN INDONESIA. It’s very simple: DO NOT BREAK THE LAW. Again, here are the types of activities that foreigners cannot engage in: https://bali-legal.com/en/visa-bali-en
If you want to earn legally, open a company. Read here on how to do it: https://bali-legal.com/en/kitas-company-en.
REMEMBER!!!
You will be treated friendly only until you break local laws. After that, the attitude will change, and it will be much stricter.
If you need more detailed advice on relocation, opening, and running a business in Bali, contact our manager on the island: HERE or HERE.
Continue Part 2Together, we will make life on the island comfortable.
