Indonesia’s Denpasar Immigration Office detained two Nigerian nationals during a patrol in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali, after both were found in violation of immigration regulations.
According to Denpasar Immigration Office Head R Haryo Sakti, one of the two individuals had overstayed their permit by 379 days, while the other was unable to produce valid immigration documents.
Both were detained during a Thursday night patrol on August 27. When approached by officers for inspection, one of the individuals reportedly attempted to flee before being apprehended after a brief pursuit.
“We’ve brought both of them to Denpasar for further questioning,” Haryo said in Denpasar on Saturday, August 29.
How the Operation Unfolded
For this patrol, Denpasar Immigration split its personnel into two teams. One team swept through the Ubud area after coordinating with the local Ubud Police, while a second team monitored the Sanur area of Denpasar City.
In Ubud, officers checked several locations known to be popular gathering spots for foreign residents. A tip from one local business alerted officers to a foreign national suspected of having permit issues, which led to the inspection that uncovered both violations.
Meanwhile in Sanur, officers coordinated with the South Denpasar Police before conducting their own sweep of the area. No immigration violations were found during the Sanur portion of the operation.
Educating Local Businesses on Their Role
Beyond enforcement, officers also used the patrol as an opportunity to educate local business owners on their role in supporting immigration oversight, including how to use the Foreigner Reporting Application (APOA) to flag potential concerns.
A Broader, Ongoing Effort
Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Ramdhani, said oversight of foreign nationals in Bali will continue, guided by a humane approach. According to him, this kind of monitoring is essential to ensure that foreigners’ presence and activities on the island comply with regulations, while also helping maintain a healthy environment for the tourism sector.
“Oversight of foreign nationals is a critical part of ensuring that their presence and activities in Bali align with applicable regulations,” Ramdhani said.
What This Means for Travelers in Bali
For tourists and long-term visitors alike, this serves as a timely reminder to keep visa and permit documentation current. Immigration authorities in Bali have clearly stepped up enforcement in popular expat and tourist hubs like Ubud and Sanur, and overstaying, even by a significant margin, carries real consequences. If you’re staying in Bali long-term, it’s worth double-checking your visa status well before it lapses.
