Bali to Introduce Stricter Screening for Foreign Visitors in 2026, Including Proof of Funds & Travel Plans

Governor Wayan Koster announced that one proposed requirement will involve verifying tourists’ financial capacity, which could include reviewing savings account balances from the past three months.

“One aspect of quality tourism is ensuring visitors have sufficient funds,” Koster said during a tourism event in Gianyar. “Similar checks exist in other countries, and we will adopt the same approach.”

Plan comes as Bali struggles with record-breaking number of tourists

The plan comes as Bali grapples with record-breaking arrivals, 7.05 million foreign visitors by air in 2025, alongside concerns over unruly behavior, visa misuse, and environmental strain. Recent incidents include the deportation of an OnlyFans creator for attempting to film adult content, as well as cases of tourists flouting local laws and customs.

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Authorities argue that stricter entry checks will help filter out problematic visitors without imposing hard caps on arrivals. The provincial government has also faced pressure over worsening infrastructure and waste management issues, which officials say require better governance rather than limiting tourism outright.

“It’s important to determine which foreign tourists are allowed to enter and which are not, so they contribute positively to the tourism sector,” Koster said. “Going forward, we will focus on quality tourism, not just numbers.”