Travelling to Bali has become increasingly popular among Indian tourists over the past year, with the island’s beaches, food, culture, nightlife and laid-back vibe drawing visitors in large numbers.
In
May 2025 alone, nearly 68,000 Indians reportedly travelled to Bali, marking a sharp increase compared to the previous months.
So far, entry into Bali has been relatively hassle-free for Indian travellers, thanks to visa-on-arrival and e-visa options that allow stays of up to 30 days. However, this easy process is set to change. From 2026, tourists may be required to meet additional entry conditions beyond just a passport and visa before being allowed into Indonesia’s popular holiday destination.
Bali Plans Stricter Entry Checks
The Bali government is in the process of introducing new rules that will require tourists to show proof of funds before entering the island. The move is aimed at promoting what officials describe as “quality tourism.” According to reports, the regulation will apply to all international travellers visiting Bali from next year.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster, as quoted by 9Travel, said the authorities want to ensure that visitors have sufficient financial resources to support themselves throughout their stay.
Antara, an Indonesian News Agency, quoted him as saying, “One aspect of quality tourism is the amount of money in visitors’ savings accounts over the past three months.” He added that officials will also assess how long international tourists plan to stay and the activities they intend to undertake during their visit.
What Proof Of Funds May Include
Proof of funds is not entirely new for Indonesia. Travellers applying for certain visa categories are already required to submit bank statements showing a minimum balance of around $2,000. However, this requirement will be new for visitors entering Bali on a visa on arrival.
There will be no uniform minimum balance set for all travellers. Instead, officials will assess factors such as travel itineraries, return tickets, duration of stay and planned activities to determine whether a visitor has sufficient funds. Tourists may also be asked to present bank statements from the past three months.
Why Bali Wants This Rule
According to Antara, Bali recorded over 7 million tourist arrivals by air in 2025, with thousands more entering by sea, marking the highest visitor count the island has ever seen. Since travel resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic, tourist numbers have continued to climb at a rapid pace.
Governor Koster explained the need for control, saying, “This is to ensure everything is under control. When we travel to other countries, similar checks are applied, and we will implement the same approach, in line with policies adopted elsewhere.” He added, “We must address this issue, and it cannot be resolved in a day or two. It requires patience.”
Officials have also linked the surge in tourism to traffic problems, waste issues, flooding, and pressure on local infrastructure. “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,” the governor said.
