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Indonesia’s Bali cracks down on digital nomads, influencers working on tourist visas

Indonesia has intensified supervision of digital nomads, lifestyle influencers and travel content creators on the resort island of Bali, warning that even unpaid barter deals…

By Samantha Johnson / July 3, 2026
Indonesia has intensified supervision of digital nomads, lifestyle influencers and travel content creators on the resort island of Bali, warning that even unpaid barter deals with local businesses would be classified as illegal work if they visit the country on tourist visas.

For years, the Hindu island has been popular among players of the aesthetic economy, thanks to its beaches, unique rituals and lavish resorts.

Indonesian businesses also collaborate with foreign content creators, who exchange social media posts for free products, luxury resort stays, or spa treatments instead of money.

The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration has cautioned foreigners that accepting free goods or services in exchange for promotional social media posts is considered illegal work if done on a standard tourist visa.

“It’s not always about payment,” the office said in a social media post on May 7. “Immigration authorities may look at the purpose of [foreigners’] stay, the type of activity, and whether there is economic value behind it.”

Such activities included offering professional services – for example, make-up artists or photographers, product endorsement and business promotion on social media – and “work-like activities that involve benefits, even unpaid”, the office said.

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