Authorities in Bali’s Badung Regency are planning a clearer notification process for community and public events held in the area’s busiest resort districts, including Canggu, Uluwatu, Kuta, Legian and Seminyak.
The Badung Tourism Office said the proposed mechanism is intended to let local authorities monitor events from an earlier stage, including licensing, effects on nearby communities and compliance with applicable rules. It follows a dispute around a Canggu running event organised by an expatriate-focused group.
Indonesia’s immigration authorities subsequently barred two Dutch nationals from re-entering the country. Authorities said the event had been organised without a permit; the group disputed allegations that it intentionally excluded Indonesian participants.
Badung has not published a detailed new regulation, implementation date or a single permit procedure for all community gatherings. Travellers attending a casual activity should not assume that an event is unauthorised simply because it is advertised online. But foreign residents, digital nomads and visitors planning to promote, run or facilitate an event should check the local permission requirements before announcing it, particularly where public space, ticketing, sponsorship, staff or a commercial activity is involved.
Visa status is a separate issue. Indonesia’s official eVisa guidance for one extendable visitor-visa category allows tourism and attendance at meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions, but prohibits profit-making activities and attending an event as a speaker. Conditions vary by visa type, so organisers should use the official eVisa service or obtain qualified local advice for the specific activity rather than relying on a tourist or visitor visa.
Indonesia Immigration also provides dedicated routes for certain international sports, music and arts activities, with applications submitted online by an event organiser or sponsor. Those routes do not replace local permissions, which may involve Badung authorities and other relevant agencies.
What to check before organising an event in Badung
- Confirm whether the venue, beach, street, park or other public space requires a local notification or permit.
- Check whether ticket sales, sponsorship, paid promotion or operational responsibilities change the immigration or business requirements.
- Use the official eVisa service to confirm that the planned role is permitted under the visa held.
- Allow time for venue, community and authority approvals before advertising a date.
The reporting proposal is most immediately relevant in Badung’s high-traffic tourism areas. Further details will be needed from the regency government before organisers can rely on a standardised process.
Primary sources
Frequently Asked Questions
The reported proposal concerns organisers and events using public spaces, not ordinary attendance. Participants should still use established organisers and follow venue instructions, especially if an event is cancelled or moved while permits are being clarified.
It depends on the exact visa and activity. Official eVisa conditions for a visitor-visa category prohibit profit-making activity and speaking at events. Anyone taking an organising, promotional or operational role should confirm the correct visa and local permissions before proceeding.
Not in the sources reviewed for this article. The Badung Tourism Office has described a clearer notification mechanism, but detailed requirements, fees and an implementation date have not been publicly confirmed.
