For decades, Bali has sold itself as an easy promise: land on the island, breathe in incense-tinged air, ride a scooter past rice terraces, and let time loosen its grip.
It was affordable, forgiving, and open. A place where the backpacker and the honeymooner could coexist without paperwork weighing down the dream.
That era may be up for a change.
From 2026, Bali is expected to introduce tighter entry checks that could require foreign travellers to demonstrate they can financially sustain themselves during their stay. On paper, it’s a bureaucratic tweak.
In spirit, it signals something deeper: Officials believe the policy will help curb visa overstays, illegal employment, and crimes linked to travellers running out of money.
Bali's proof of funds requirement forms part of the Regional Regulation on the Implementation of Quality Tourism. It is designed to create a safer, well-regulated environment while encouraging higher spending that benefits local communities, especially MSMEs that power Bali’s economy.
From open paradise to guarded gateway
Bali’s problem is not lack of love. It is the sheer volume of it.
As international travel rebounded after the pandemic, the island saw tourist numbers surge faster than its infrastructure, environment, and governance systems could manage.
Beaches grew crowded, traffic snarled narrow village roads, and local authorities grappled with everything from visa overstays to tourists taking informal work or flouting cultural norms.
The proposed financial checks are part of a broader recalibration. Bali’s leadership has been increasingly vocal about shifting towards what it calls "quality tourism."
The move follows a surge in arrivals, with over seven million foreign tourists visiting Bali in 2025, straining infrastructure and the environment.
Supporters argue the policy mirrors strict visa rules Indonesians face abroad and promotes sustainable tourism.
Critics warn it could deter budget travellers, raise privacy concerns and prove difficult to enforce under Indonesia’s national immigration system.
What this means for the traveller experience?
For the average holidaymaker, booking resorts, flights, and activities in advance, the change may barely register a few extra documents. But symbolically, it marks a change in tone.
Bali is no longer positioning itself as frictionless. Instead, it is asking travellers to arrive with intent. Proof of funds, return tickets, and clear itineraries serve less as obstacles and more as filters.
In effect, Bali is aligning itself with destinations that expect visitors to prove not just where they’re going, but how they plan to support themselves once they get there.
How will this rule work?
Here are the key elements being discussed:
Proof of Funds
You may be required to show recent bank statements, typically covering the last three months to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.
Important nuance
There may not be a fixed minimum amount but immigration officers might assess case-by-case based on your travel plan and length of stay.
That said, many countries with similar rules such as some Schengen states, the UK, Australia often look for proof that you can cover daily expenses plus emergency funds.
Return/Onward Ticket
You’re likely expected to hold a confirmed return or onward flight. It is a standard requirement in many countries to show you won’t overstay.
Travel Itinerary and Accommodation
Details such as your accommodation bookings and travel plans may also be part of the checks. While there are no confirmations yet, these are reportedly part of the draft tourism governance regulation.
A global trend, not an island anomaly
Bali’s move is not happening in isolation. From Europe to East Asia, popular destinations are re-examining how tourism intersects with housing shortages, environmental stress, and local livelihoods.
Entry requirements, tourist taxes, and visa restrictions are becoming tools of regulation rather than deterrence.
What makes Bali’s case stand out is its long-standing reputation as a low-barrier destination. Introducing financial scrutiny challenges that identity.
The regulation is still under review and will only take effect after formal approval. If enacted, travellers to Bali in 2026 should prepare extra documents and plan finances carefully before departure.
For Bali, the bet is clear: sustainability over spontaneity, stability over scale.
The Road Ahead
Nothing about the proposed rules suggests Bali is closing its doors. The island still wants visitors but on terms that better reflect its limits and priorities.
For travellers planning a 2026 trip, preparation will matter more than ever, not just financially but philosophically.
