Gianyar, Bali. The next time foreign travelers land in Bali, their luggage and passports may not be the only things under scrutiny. Starting in 2026, the island’s provincial government plans to screen incoming international tourists based on their financial capacity, length of stay, and planned activities. Officials say this move aims to restore order and sustainability to one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced that the policy would require foreign visitors to demonstrate adequate financial resources, including a review of savings over the previous three months, as part of entry requirements. “One aspect of quality tourism is the amount of money in visitors’ savings accounts over the past three months,” Koster stated on Thursday during a tourism-related event in Gianyar. Authorities would also assess how long tourists intend to stay and what activities they plan to undertake while on the island.
“This is to ensure everything is under control,” Koster added. “When we travel to other countries, similar checks are applied, and we will implement the same approach, in line with policies adopted elsewhere.”
Rising Arrivals, Rising Concerns
The policy comes amid record-breaking tourism numbers. Bali recorded 7.05 million foreign tourist arrivals by air throughout 2025. This figure marks the highest level in the island’s tourism history, with arrivals continuing to climb since the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. However, this surge has coincided with growing public concerns over a series of incidents involving foreign visitors.
In recent years, Bali has seen repeated cases of unruly tourists disrupting public order, violating local laws and customs, and straining law enforcement resources. More troublingly, authorities have also dealt with violent crimes involving foreigners. Last month, Bali Immigration deported OnlyFans creator and adult film performer Bonnie Blue for misusing her visa. Authorities said she had intended to film an adult video on the island, an activity prohibited under her entry permit. Police stopped the filming before it took place, and she was subsequently deported. She was fined only about $12 for a traffic violation related to the incident.
Balancing Tourism and Sustainability
In 2022, tourism business associations pushed the provincial government to fully reopen Bali to international travelers by offering various incentives and facilities, a move that helped revive the sector but also created management challenges, Koster acknowledged. “We must address this issue, and it cannot be resolved in a day or two. It requires patience,” he said.
The provincial government has also been under pressure over worsening environmental and infrastructure problems, including waste management, traffic congestion, and flooding in popular tourism areas. Koster cautioned against blaming tourism growth alone, saying weak regulation and governance had compounded the impact.
Rather than simply capping visitor numbers, the administration believes stricter screening and clearer rules will help filter out problematic behavior while preserving tourism’s economic benefits. While detailed regulations have yet to be issued, the plan signals a tougher stance on foreign arrivals. For travelers, it could mean additional checks before or upon entry, similar to proof-of-funds requirements used in other destinations to deter overstaying, illegal work, and disruptive conduct.
Quality Over Quantity
The central government has not yet set a national target for tourist arrivals in 2026, but Bali’s administration has made clear it wants quality to take precedence over volume. “It is important to determine which foreign tourists are allowed to enter and which are not, so that visitors do not cause problems and instead contribute positively, particularly to the tourism sector,” Koster said.
“Going forward, we will focus on quality tourism, not merely on numbers, through regional regulations and improved tourism governance,” he concluded.
This development follows a global trend where popular tourist destinations are increasingly prioritizing sustainable practices and quality tourism to mitigate the adverse effects of mass tourism. As Bali prepares for these changes, stakeholders and tourists alike will be watching closely to see how these new measures impact the island’s vibrant tourism industry.
