The Bali Provincial Government is finalising regulations that would require incoming tourists to present three months of bank statements on arrival as proof of ‘financial adequacy’. Governor Wayan Koster confirmed on 7 January that the measure, aimed at promoting ‘high-quality tourism’ and curbing unruly behaviour, could take effect later this year.
Under the draft, travellers must show recent account activity and minimum balances (figures yet to be finalised) at immigration counters. Failure to comply could result in denied entry or summary deportation. The rule would apply to visitors of all nationalities, but Australians are the largest cohort to Bali, accounting for roughly 1.3 million arrivals in 2025.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its Smartraveller advisory within hours, reminding citizens that Indonesian authorities can and do deport tourists for infractions ranging from indecent dress to abusing cultural sites. Mobility experts warn that the bank-statement requirement will complicate short-notice business travel and incentive trips, as many corporate travellers rely on company-issued virtual cards rather than personal accounts.
![Bali proposes bank-statement rule for tourists, prompting Smartraveller warning to Australians]()
For travellers who want extra assurance that their paperwork will pass muster, VisaHQ offers an end-to-end service that reviews bank statements, visa documentation and other entry requirements before departure. Australian residents can start the process at https://www.visahq.com/australia/, upload their financial proofs securely and receive personalised guidance that cuts the risk of being turned away at the border.
Travel-management companies are urging clients to brief employees on acceptable proof of funds (e.g., original bank PDFs, authenticated app screenshots or credit-card statements) and to allow extra time at Ngurah Rai Airport. Airlines may begin checking documents at Australian departure gates to avoid liability for passengers refused entry.
The policy follows Bali’s 2025 tourist-levy and behaviour-code reforms and reflects wider South-East Asian moves toward value-over-volume tourism. Similar financial-proof schemes already exist in Thailand and the Philippines, but Bali’s proposal is the strictest in the region if implemented as drafted.
Under the draft, travellers must show recent account activity and minimum balances (figures yet to be finalised) at immigration counters. Failure to comply could result in denied entry or summary deportation. The rule would apply to visitors of all nationalities, but Australians are the largest cohort to Bali, accounting for roughly 1.3 million arrivals in 2025.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its Smartraveller advisory within hours, reminding citizens that Indonesian authorities can and do deport tourists for infractions ranging from indecent dress to abusing cultural sites. Mobility experts warn that the bank-statement requirement will complicate short-notice business travel and incentive trips, as many corporate travellers rely on company-issued virtual cards rather than personal accounts.
For travellers who want extra assurance that their paperwork will pass muster, VisaHQ offers an end-to-end service that reviews bank statements, visa documentation and other entry requirements before departure. Australian residents can start the process at https://www.visahq.com/australia/, upload their financial proofs securely and receive personalised guidance that cuts the risk of being turned away at the border.
Travel-management companies are urging clients to brief employees on acceptable proof of funds (e.g., original bank PDFs, authenticated app screenshots or credit-card statements) and to allow extra time at Ngurah Rai Airport. Airlines may begin checking documents at Australian departure gates to avoid liability for passengers refused entry.
The policy follows Bali’s 2025 tourist-levy and behaviour-code reforms and reflects wider South-East Asian moves toward value-over-volume tourism. Similar financial-proof schemes already exist in Thailand and the Philippines, but Bali’s proposal is the strictest in the region if implemented as drafted.
