Motorcycle instructor among 18 foreigners deported by Bali immigration office

In brief: Ngurah Rai Immigration deported 18 foreign nationals between September 21 and 27, 2026, following enforcement operations in its jurisdiction; among them was a Russian national who had been teaching motorcycle riding while holding a limited stay permit intended for remote work.

The case stands out because it concerns the purpose of a residence permit, not merely its expiry date. Someone may have permission to live in Indonesia while working remotely and still face immigration action if their activities on the island fall outside the terms of that permission.

A motorcycle coaching case within the weekly total

Immigration officials identified the Russian national only by the initials VL. They said he worked as a motorcycle instructor despite holding a Remote Worker ITAS, Indonesia's limited stay permit for this category of foreign national. The office also reported indications that information supplied when the permit was obtained may not have been truthful.

The deportation was included in the September 21–27 figures. The public accounts do not establish the instructor's precise contractual arrangements, whether he was paid by Indonesian customers or the outcome of any separate judicial proceedings concerning the application. Those details should not be inferred from the immigration announcement.

Why the other 17 people were removed

The same report grouped together several different immigration issues. Ten of the deportees had been detained during a joint operation with Bali police on September 17 in connection with suspected prostitution-related activity. Five of those ten had also overstayed. Officials described suspected misuse of residence permits; the statement did not amount to a court finding of criminal guilt.

Six additional people were deported for overstaying. Four had remained for fewer than 60 days beyond their permitted period and could not pay the applicable charge; two had overstayed by more than 60 days. The remaining individual was a Slovak national with an ITAS who had not updated immigration records after replacing a passport. These groups, including the motorcycle instructor, account for the reported total of 18 without double-counting the five overstayers in the first group.

Officials said all 18 had been proposed for inclusion on an immigration entry-prevention list. The announcement did not establish that a final entry restriction had already been recorded for every individual.

What Indonesia's remote worker category actually permits

Indonesia's official guidance for the E33G visa category describes residence for the purpose of carrying out duties for a company outside Indonesia. It lists an employment agreement with an overseas company among the supporting requirements and prohibits work that is inconsistent with the holder's permitted activities.

That is the relevant boundary for people considering a combination of overseas employment and in-person services in Bali. The September report concerned one particular instructor and should not be read as a new blanket prohibition on genuine overseas remote employment. Equally, an overseas job does not automatically authorise a second role involving teaching, coaching or providing services locally.

Before adding work on the island to an existing remote arrangement, a permit holder needs to establish whether that activity is covered by their immigration status. The separate passport-update case is another reminder that lawful residence involves keeping immigration records accurate, not just watching the expiration date.

• ANTARA News — “Imigrasi Ngurah Rai Bali deportasi 18 WNA terlibat prostitusi,” September 29, 2026.
• Indonesian National Police — “Ngurah Rai Immigration Office Deported 18 Foreign Nationals in the Last Week of September,” September 29, 2026.
• Bontang Immigration Office — “Informasi Visa Republik Indonesia,” E33G visa guidance; publication date not stated.