Bali Just Issued a Warning to Influencers. Here’s Why

Bali will be no different to other parts of Asia. Earn an income in Bali and they'll want a piece of the cake called TAX.

What a funny world we live in. . . To vlog or not to vlog. . .

Restrictions on working in a foreign country have traditionally been directed at not taking jobs away from local workers. If I wanted to teach yoga in Bali, for example, I would need a work permit and a visa that allowed it. I've never been to Bali but I imagine that there is no shortage of local yoga instructors, so although I could apply for a work visa to teach yoga it is not likely that it would be approved. Actual, physical, and obvious work needs a permit and if there already many local people who can perform the job I'm applying for then why would immigration give me a visa to compete with them?

Digital work is another matter and, as you pointed out, is not always obvious or lucrative. Let's face it, most YouTubers don't make any money at all (me included) but what we do is the same thing as those who make their living on YouTube. Or writers, what if I'm coming to Bali to write a novel would that be "work" in Indonesia? Somerset Maughm wrote many of his stories about and while he was in Malaysia. Would that be considered working in Malaysia today?

As this issue becomes more important, my hope is that the laws will be reconsidered so that the questions you raised in the video are answered clearly. My fear though is that countries will react before a thoughtful understanding of what people who take photos, record videos, etc. are actually doing.

If I make a video of my surfing lesson am I working? I say No, even if YouTube does manage to pay me for the views it generates. But if the surfing instructor teaches me for free because he knows that my video will provide him with free publicity or advertising then Yes, I am working. The instructor could easily have hired a local videographer to do the same thing I'm doing. In this instance I'm taking work away from a local worker. Current law does not address the first instance at all, the second example is exactly what the law was designed to prevent.

Obviously this issue is much more complicated from the regulation side but a clear understanding of what is work and what isn't is needed.

For all creators, silly and less effective to say “you guys”, just say “You” or Your. What do You think? What’s Your take on the situation? And… This video is super valuable. Thank you Lloyd!

Never trust indonesia people.me from malaysia..in 1995 i buy land and make tourist and small hotel business..after succes they want black money i give all the years.after 10 years they kick out foreigner and business..use public department..to many rule after autority ban i selling all and out in 2005

Fully agree. Should be a thing all over the world. Australia deported an influencer who harassed a native animal

in 5 years, breathing in Bali without carbon dioxide visa will be illegal.

U can bribe them and they will allow you to do anything… I'm Indonesian and in indonesia the law just a product so just talk nicely, smile and money

Samantics on steroids..

sounds fair , content creators are working there after-all

A lawyer told me here 15 years ago, that everything is possible to do as long I don't make problems. Now Bali has many problems. Not only influencers pointing on them, but are a part of it.

For 3 months I traveled around several tourist attractions in Europe, and I was in Thailand for 2 weeks and Vietnam for 2 weeks. Lastly, I visited Bali, Uluwatu, Ubud, and Canggu. From my vacation trip, only in Bali did I see tourists queuing to eat at restaurants. I didn't see that in Thailand or Vietnam. Only in Bali did I see good restaurants, the food was delicious and affordable, the service was classy. When I was about to go home after eating, my motorbike was wiped by the parking attendant. Really good service, no wonder there are so many tourists in Bali.