Bali tightens rules as digital nomad culture sparks local backlash

In July, a run club called Entourage Bali became the center of a social media firestorm after posts alleged it had blocked local applicants. The episode drew a public response from Bali senator Ni Luh Djelantik, who reposted a video of one of the club's large street runs and called for an investigation. On July 24, immigration authorities barred two Dutch nationals linked to the club from re-entering Indonesia, citing suspected immigration violations, state news agency Antara reported.

The case is the latest flash point in a longer tension between Bali's booming remote-worker economy and local expectations. Between January and June, Bali deported 342 foreign nationals, up from 335 for all of 2023. The government in May closed new foreign investment in 18 business categories, including motorcycle rentals, cafés, and fitness centers – sectors where digital nomads had increasingly set up shop.

Kane, a tattoo artist who lives and works near Canggu, said he sees more foreigners entering businesses that were traditionally local, like bike rentals and prayer experiences. "Before, they made businesses that locals cannot do. Now they're trying to make businesses that locals always do," he said. The mean monthly wage in Bali is about 4 million rupiah, or $230, while market rent for a house is more than double that, according to government data and property portal 99.co.

Tangguh Okta Wibowo, a lecturer who has studied digital nomad communities in Bali, said the economic gap is a driver of tension. "A lot of digital nomads have their income from global labor markets while living in Bali, so they have a purchasing power that is quite different from local wage levels," he told Business Insider.

So far, the tougher stance has not pushed out remote workers. Peter Johnson, founder of Bali-based Vidhi Law Office, said he has not seen clients canceling or changing visas. Indonesia still offers a dedicated remote-worker visa. Governor Wayan Koster has said run clubs are not banned, only required not to disturb the public. Entourage's Instagram account now shows a single apology post. No update has been given on the immigration investigation or the reentry status of the two Dutch nationals.

Bali's digital nomad scene continues to grow. Another club, Rise Run Bali, with over 45,000 Instagram followers, held a pop-up event Friday. "EVERYONE IS WELCOME!" it posted.