Bali’s governor only wants “quality tourism” and new regulations are underwawy to limit tourists entering to match his idea of the kind of visitor that belongs. Officials would examine visitor bank statements over the prior three months before allowing entry.
That’s on top of the usual intended length of stay and planned activities details, along with a return ticket.
- There would be no fixed minimum balance. Required funds would be judged relative to length of stay and planned activities.
- This is still in draft form (“Regional Regulation on the Implementation of Quality Tourism”) which the governor says is ‘nearly complete’ and will be sent to Bali regional legislature, with the intention of enacting it during 2026.
A lot of the coverage is sloppy calling this a “new regulation” already in force. It’s been framed as Bali “preparing to enforce” a “new regulation [which] demands…” but it’s not yet been enacted, and may run afoul of national rules.
Indonesia already demands proof of funds for some visa categories. A formal visa requires proof of US$2,000 and 3 months of bank statement, but this would be new for visa on arrival.
- No fixed minimum amounts means arbitrary enforcement. While no minimums sounds flexible, in practice it means discretion, discrimination, and corruption.
- Easily gamed. You can temporarily park funds to pass a check.
- Bad metric. Many legitimate travelers rely on family or company support. It also punishes budget travelers, using immigration to screen for high spenders, but low spenders matter for a significant segment of the local tourism industry too.
- Privacy and data-handling risk. Requiring tourists to show bank records means those records are available to hackers, and the Bali government may not be as secure as a Western bank.
My transactions for the last 3 months are none of Bali’s business. Sharing that data alone is reason enough to prefer avoiding trips there, if this regulation becomes final. And providing financial details, including account balance, seems like an invitation for a member of Balinese civil service to sell that information to criminals.
Some of you will surely respond by pointing out the amount of personal information that the U.S. collects both as part of its visa process and through covert and sometimes illegal means. That’s fair, but not really on point. I am not comfortable providing bank records as a condition of entry.
Anyone choosing to do so might be advised to use an account with limited funds (don’t have much more than enough to prove support) and that isn’t your primary account for transacting.
(HT: Drew J.)
I’ve been to Bali and it was OK, but as a US resident I don’t see any reason to go back. The Hawaiian islands have similar geography, but they’re much closer and less crowded.
I can take a hint. Bali doesn’t want me to come back. I am certainly not going to travel around with bank statements. Almost sounds like something stupid enough that the USA would want to copy.
I have been to Bali 5 times since 1999. I would seriously consider not traveling if such a rule was enforced. Bali is still great, but to much traffic has definitely made it less appealing.
Financial disclosure seems similar to Brasil’s recently enacted visa requirements for US citizens.
By making a hurdle such as this, a lot of people will just decide to go elsewhere because the entry requirement seems too arbitrary. If that is what Bali wants, it is a good way to reduce the number of visitors.
Agreed 100%. Ridiculous demand from Bali.
not be as secure as a Western bank?
I was a victim of the big Capital One hack, along with the big Equifax hack.
“Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That.”
This feels like clickbait, especially since Bali’s economy is basically all-tourism; then again, look no further than Brexit and the US these days for examples of self-inflicted wounds.
ROFLMAO This Governor needs to up his meds.
It sounds like he believes that Bali is the only tourist destination in the world.
The number of tourists who will be willing to jump through this hoop just to get to Bali are likely as much as .000001% of current tourist arrivals and the other 99.99999% will just go elsewhere.
This idea will almost certainly get squashed when it reaches someone with a brain.
This is a come audit me from Bali to see if i am doing business there.
When countries make these rules then their residents should have to do the same when they visit other countries. Thus people from Bali would have to provide the USA the same when the visit USA. Or when they go to Russa 🙂
It is like the UK requires the ETA now when you go there. when people of the UK go to other Countries they should have to do the same now.
I can understand a Single fee to compensate for passport control but when you over charge for it then the country is no better then the Resort Fees from Las Vegas Hotels
“My transactions for the last 3 months are none of Bali’s business. Sharing that data alone is reason enough to prefer avoiding trips there”
Interesting when juxtaposed against “put all your spending on credit cards and use these portals for to earn those sweet sweet points”.
There is an insane amount of data mining involved with credit cards and shopping portals. To draw the line at Bali seems odd.
Maybe Bali should start a referral program. 🙂
Bali? I’m more worried about the majority of the civilized world declaring Americans “Persona Non Grata” in the very near future, for very good reasons.
We could easily afford to go, but zero chance if that’s their law. I suspect it will get reversed if tourism drops.
I would love to visit Bali, but my bank account is none of their damn business. I’m happy to go other places are more welcoming.
As a savvy tourist, I have previously viewed a television commercial that suggested staying at a Holiday Inn is smart. If I were to visit Bali, I would advise Dr. Wayan Koster, the Governor of Bali, that I would like to spend two days at the Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali. This is because it is nestled in the tranquil oasis of South Kuta, Bali, and offers a complimentary airport shuttle (pick-up and drop-off) and daily breakfast.
It is so simple … BOYCOTT.
No need to be a “mark” in Bali.
The focus on quality tourism seems like an explicit decision to reduce tourism overall while trying to maintain the economic benefits. A lot of societies are struggling with balancing tourism with local needs. Some places need to have less foot traffic overall. We have had to implement some really strict measures at some national parks. The American West is struggling with balancing population growth with the reality of limited water resources in particular. Perhaps Bali is overcompensating at this moment, but I understand the concern. I don’t want to fill out these forms either. But I’m not mad at Bali for trying to keep some people away. We are going to see more of this, not less.
Sounds like they just want to reduce tourism in Bali. If they’re not careful, they just may get more reduction than they’ve bargained for. I don’t know anyone who would go for that
Sounds like putting yourself on the kidnap list. Loved the place on our last vacation, but will never go back based on this.
If this is put in place, it may create a great opportunity to travel to Bali if there is a huge drop in tourists.
@tomri – regarding the UK and ETA, you do realize the US has had this for years and required UK citizens to pay right? Also, the EU is implementing a similar such program in 2026. Many countries around the world have these type of security, “visa light” fees. Maybe you weren’t familiar with them or just got upset it cost you $20-$25 to visit the UK.
I get why this is being proposed; too many young broke people go there and then work illegally or engage in other undesirable behaviors. But a refundable deposit would solve the issue with much less hassle. Something like $1,000 or perhaps even $2,500 per person, paid back immediately upon departure if no violations or overstay.
If they want “quality” tourism, why not simply close down all accommodations that are less than 5 star ( ok, maybe 4 star too), instead?
@Alex “…Hawaiian islands have similar geography, but they’re much closer and less crowded….”
True, but way more expensive.
They definitely want all them hostel people out lol, TikTok got them thinking they can go there with 20 bucks a day and party wild and live like a king crazy lol
So Bali requires this offensive invasion of privacy as the price of entry. Hard pass. Bali’s Governor can F off. I’ll spend my tourist dollars elsewhere.
Algeria requires bank statements for a tourist visa. This requirement is one of the reasons we canceled a pre-tour to Algeria when we visited Tunisia last year.
Works for me. Too many low budget grifters pretending to remote work from the pool. I have multiple checking accounts and could not give a crap if some Bali inspector wants to see my PGE payments.
Of course this will reduce income for Bali merchants but not my problem. Room and restaurant rates will fall.
The US & several Schengen countries require the same for their tourist visas.
My personal experience: I once interviewed for a German tourist visa. They sent me away and asked me to come back with 3 months of bank statements or investment statements proving I had sufficient funds (I don’t remember the amount, it was a long time ago).
That’s ridiculous. A very high visa fee along with a few questions about your plans would reduce the number of low budget tourists. If that is what they are trying to accomplish. It is their island, and they can do what they want, if Indonesia will go along with it.
Visa applications for many countries require three months of bank statements or other proof of funds. This is not an unusual request. That said Koster does not set the rules for entry to Indonesia. This is likely a nonstarter.
Immigration control is overseen by the national government. The governer of Bali does not really have a way to enforce this. Not to mention the blowback he would get from the business community.
@Ken A gets it, yet again. @Gene would likely agree that HIE is the way to go, Bali and most places.
@Mike Hint playing devils advocate, like usual; no, Mike… this ain’t it. Not gonna pay ‘deposits’ to visit a place.
Do you really buy this? If you arrive there with a reservation at a 5* hotel, several cc and a lot of cash in your wallet they will not let you in ?
They may introduce some control not to let people with 0 funds in but nothing like this.
Would this even be aimed at Americans? I’m sure that they get lots of budget travelers from Australia, but most American budget travelers aren’t spending the money to go all the way to Bali.
Not a snow ball’s chance in hell i’m sharing financial information. I can understand wanting proof of a return flight and hotel reservations, but nothing more.
You can do the same thing in Mexico and get pernanent residency. I’ll pass.
@ 1990 — What is HIE? Holiday Inn Express? Definitely not my go-to (but I do like the new builds, as they tend to be clean and consistent).
Many Aussies seem to think Bali is THE vacation spot. It seems to me to be the same attraction some Americans have for Mexico. Exotic, but not too dangerous in the tourist spots. Inexpensive. I have barely been to Mexico and have zero expectation I’ll ever be in Bali. Not my cuppa. But, it does seem to gave a reputation that you can show up with little cash and get by. And, of course, you get the tourists as drug mules.
@1990 – Eat my literal ass. What you taste while doing so will be far more inspired than any idea you’ve ever managed to come up with on your own.